C3 Fiji - Community Centred Conservation

Community Centred Conservation (C3) Fiji was honoured to support the Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP) Project, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with Sustainable Coastlines, through Beach Surveys and Waste Audit campaigns in Korotubu Village and Kia Island last week.
The campaign began with a stakeholder training in Korotubu Village, where 44 participants from various government ministries, NGOs, local organisations, and the community were equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to conduct standardised beach surveys and litter audits. Participants included representatives from WWF Labasa Office, Macuata Provincial Office, the Ministry of Women and Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Forestry, Fiji Red Cross Northern Division, Labasa Town Council, Sasa District, Friends Organisation, and the people of Korotubu. In Kia, 42 participants from the island's three villages joined the practical training and field activities.
This marks the beginning of a two and a half year monitoring programme, with surveys and waste audits to be conducted every six months. The SWAP Project combines theory with hands-on learning, empowering communities and stakeholders to monitor marine litter and contribute to long-term environmental solutions. Beach surveys and waste audits follow the standardised methodology developed by Sustainable Coastlines, adapted from the UNEP/IOC Guidelines on Survey and Monitoring of Marine Litter. Through consistent data collection, communities are not only identifying the types and sources of litter but are also building the evidence needed to support informed waste management and conservation actions.
The main target in this campaign is PLASTIC, which is one of the major eyesores in the Pacific and the world over as a result of poor management of rubbish, and ignorance to the drastic effect plastic plays, not only in our resources but in our food system as well.
Forty-year-old Lice Lagilagi voiced her opinion on how she was awed at the newfound knowledge concerning plastic disintegration and how they end up in our food chain. “We don’t know and we don’t care about plastics as we often use them on a daily basis, but after today, we started to think of the consequences after eating a fish that has plastic particles in its blood stream.”, said the mother of four. ” No wonder there is a lot of strange new cases of cancers affecting us at an alarming rate today”, she continued. She said that it is a great lesson for them to refrain from using plastics and sort other alternatives out and to be ware of their rubbish through practicing the habit of proper rubbish management
At C3 Fiji, we believe that meaningful conservation is built on strong partnerships. Marine litter affects our ecosystems, livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage, and addressing this challenge requires the collective efforts of communities, government agencies, non-government organisations, and development partners. Working together allows us to share expertise, strengthen local capacity, and create sustainable solutions that are owned by the communities themselves.
Fiji's coastlines are invaluable to our way of life. By supporting initiatives such as the SWAP Project, we are helping communities gather important environmental data while fostering a culture of stewardship and responsibility for our natural resources. The information collected through these surveys will contribute to understanding the sources and impacts of marine litter and guide future actions to reduce pollution across our coastal environments.
C3 Fiji extends sincere gratitude to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) SWAP Project team and Sustainable Coastlines, all participating stakeholders, and the communities of Korotubu and Kia for their collaboration and commitment to protecting our shared environment.

"When communities and partners unite with a common purpose, we create lasting change for our people, our oceans, and the Pacific we call home."

Strengthening Coastal Communities through Nature-based Solutions in Northern Vanua Levu

Labasa, Fiji | The , a multi-donor programme supporting climate resilience across the Pacific, has enabled Community Centred Conservation (C3) Fiji to implement the project “Using Nature-based Solutions to Protect Coastal Communities from the Negative Impacts of Climate Change in Northern Vanua Levu, Fiji.”

Working with communities such as Qaranivai, Raviravi, and Naividamu in Macuata Province, the project strengthens food security, livelihoods, and resilience through mangrove restoration, locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

Key activities include planting over 10,000 mangroves, establishing community-managed marine areas, and delivering training and awareness programmes reaching over 1,600 people.

One of its key project component is the DC solar freezers that have been installed in Qaranivai, Raviravi, and Naividamu. Powered by renewable energy, these systems provide a reliable way to store fish and other marine resources, reducing post-harvest loss while improving food security and supporting local livelihoods.

Benefiting more than 500 community members, this initiative reflects the strong partnership between C3 Fiji, the Kiwa Initiative, and local communities in advancing sustainable, climate-resilient solutions across Northern Vanua Levu.

📍 Be part of meaningful work that protects biodiversity, strengthens livelihoods, and supports resilient ecosystems for future generations.

📩 Apply now or share with someone who would be a great fit!

Strengthening Skills, Saving Lives

Labasa, Fiji | Four staff from Community Centred Conservation (C3) Fiji recently participated in CPR and First Aid training conducted by Viliame Taufa Cocker from Fiji Red Cross Society ⛑️ reinforcing the importance of emergency preparedness in both field and community settings.

Working across remote and coastal communities, C3 Fiji team often operate in environments where immediate medical assistance may not be readily accessible. This training equips staff with essential lifesaving skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic first aid, and emergency response techniques.

Beyond conservation work, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of team members and partner communities remains a top priority. By building internal capacity in emergency response, C3 Fiji continues to strengthen its commitment to responsible, community-centred operations.

This initiative reflects the organisation’s holistic approach, where environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with safeguarding people.

Women are the Heartbeat of their Heritage

Labasa, Fiji | The team at C3 Fiji attended Wetlands Pasifika’s recently launched “Women of the Wetlands” video programme, an inspiring initiative that shines a light on the women who are protecting and caring for wetland ecosystems across the Pacific. 🌿

The launch resonates strongly with the messages of International Women's Day, Women’s History Month and World Wetlands Day, reminding everyone that environmental stewardship and gender equality go hand in hand. These global observances celebrate the importance of empowering women while recognising the critical role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and supporting community livelihoods.

The video featured women from four (4) villages, namely:
-Navakasobu Village, Macuata Province
-Naduri Village, Macuata Province
-Wainidrua Village, Macuata
-Nabukadogo Village, Macuata

Tropical Wetland Ecologist/Restoration Specialist of Wetlands Pasifika, Bindiya Rashni, highlighted how traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, continues to guide sustainable resource management and strengthen community resilience in the face of climate change. In many Pacific communities, knowledge about wetlands, such as when to harvest resources, how to care for mangroves, and how to protect freshwater sources, is preserved and shared through women, who play a vital role in maintaining the balance between people and nature.

Wetlands themselves provide a wide range of ecosystem services that are essential for communities in Fiji and throughout the Pacific. These ecosystems help purify water, support food security through fisheries and coastal resources, protect biodiversity, and strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change, such as coastal erosion and flooding.

Women are often at the centre of daily interactions with these environments. In many communities, they are the first to collect water, harvest wetland resources, and teach younger generations about the importance of caring for these ecosystems. Through these everyday actions, women help sustain both the health of wetlands and the cultural traditions connected to them.

C3 Fiji is proud to support initiatives that amplify local voices and highlight the role of communities, especially women, in safeguarding ecosystems. Through its community-based conservation work across Fiji, C3 Fiji collaborates closely with local communities to strengthen environmental stewardship, promote sustainable livelihoods, and build resilience to climate change.

C3 Fiji Trains Staff in Coral Taxonomy

Malolo, Fiji| Last week, Monica Ting Seeto, Technical Assistant, and Laisani Sepo, our Community Liaison Officer, represented the C3 Fiji team at a Coral Taxonomy 🪸 workshop held at Plantation Island Resort, led by Dr. Douglas Fenner and assisted by Dr. Austin Bowden-Kerby from Corals for Conservation. The workshop explored the Reefs of Hope model and the importance of coral knowledge for effective conservation.

Through classroom and field sessions, participants learned about colony growth forms, host–symbiont relationships, and key coral genera, strengthening coral identification skills at both genus and species levels. Monica and Laisani visited the Bula Coral Nursery and several reef sites, observing both thriving and degraded reefs while assisting with the removal of crown-of-thorns starfish.

They were also introduced to the basics of drone operation and provided an opportunity to practice out in the field. The week concluded on a special note as the women in the workshop shared dinner together to celebrate International Women’s Day.

To mark 💜 🎀 the female staff of C3 Fiji shared personal reflections on their journeys in conservation and their experiences working to support communities and protect Fiji’s natural environment.
Their testimonials highlight the passion, resilience, and commitment that women bring to community-based conservation, from scientific research and fieldwork to communications, finance, and administration.
We hope their voices and these stories celebrate the importance of women’s leadership in conservation and aim to inspire the next generation of girls in Fiji to pursue careers in science, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. 🌿🌊💙

Community Centred Conservation (C3) Fiji proudly celebrates both 🐍🐸🐐🐝and 🌿 recognising the vital role that healthy ecosystems play in sustaining biodiversity and supporting coastal communities across Fiji.

Seagrass meadows are among the ocean’s most valuable habitats, providing food and shelter for marine wildlife such as sea turtles, fish, and countless invertebrates while also helping to store carbon and protect shorelines.

Through community-based conservation, research, and partnerships with local villages, C3 Fiji works to protect these critical ecosystems, from coral reefs and mangroves to the often-overlooked seagrass beds that underpin ocean health. By working together with communities, we can ensure Fiji’s wildlife and marine habitats continue to thrive for generations to come.

For , C3 Fiji sheds light on the Giant Invasive Iguana (GII) (Iguana iguana)🦎 an aggressive invasive pest, was introduced in Qamea, Taveuni after it was imported illegally into Fiji in 2000.

Fiji is home to globally significant endemic and endangered reptiles, including the Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) and other native iguana species. These species evolved in isolated island ecosystems and are highly vulnerable to introduced competitors.

If a large non-native iguana such as the GII were to establish in Fiji, the risks would include:
• Competition with native iguanas for food and habitat
• Damage to coastal and forest vegetation
• Potential spread of pests or pathogens
• Disruption of fragile island ecosystems.

Because island biodiversity is naturally limited and specialised, invasive reptiles can cause rapid and disproportionate ecological damage.

C3 Fiji’s grassroots model places the organisation in a strong position to support early detection and rapid response, which is the most cost-effective invasive species strategy.

Communities supported by C3 Fiji can:
• Report unusual large lizards.
• Protect nesting habitats of native iguanas.
• Monitor coastal and forest ecosystems.
• Support biosecurity awareness at the village level.

This community-centred surveillance approach is particularly important in remote parts of Vanua Levu where formal monitoring is limited.

C3 Fiji Celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Labasa, Fiji | The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated throughout the world each year on the 11th of February. This year’s theme: “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls” resonates with the team at Community Centred Conservation (C3) Fiji as 75% of staff are female and paving ways in environmental and marine conservation, climate finance, and working with grassroots communities.

From reef surveys and biodiversity monitoring to community workshops and environmental education, C3 Fiji’s female team members are conducting research on coral reefs, strengthening local capacity, and ensuring that science translates into meaningful action for communities and ecosystems in Fiji.

But science does not happen in isolation.
Behind every successful conservation project is strong coordination, financial stewardship, and administrative leadership. For C3 Fiji, women in finance and administration play a critical role in ensuring accountability to donors, compliance with reporting requirements, and the smooth delivery of programmes. Their work ensures that field science is supported, budgets are managed responsibly, and partnerships remain strong.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting women and girls in STEM, strengthening leadership opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of Fijian environmental scientists.

The future of conservation is inclusive, evidence-based, and community-centred, and women are at the heart of it.