WCS-Fiji

"𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?"

The Fiji Barberi Clown Fish (Amphiprion barberi), first discovered in Fiji, thrives in a unique partnership with sea anemones a reminder of how connected and delicate our marine ecosystems are.

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐚

WCS recently handed over farming tools and equipment to five women and youth-led community cooperatives in Bua District, including digging forks, cane knives, shovels and digging spades.
These tools will support wetland restoration activities to help ensure a continued supply of kuta, an important natural fibre used by communities for weaving products and supporting local livelihoods.

WCS also provided financial record-keeping materials, including receipt books, payment vouchers, cash books, stock take books and share registers. These resources will help strengthen financial management, transparency and accountability within the cooperatives.

Kuta farming is a regenerative livelihood for communities in Bua. It contributes to landscape restoration while supporting efforts to reduce fishing pressure on marine resources.

The initiative forms part of the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative, which is implemented in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and funded by Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada.

We are in Lovoni Village this week conducting the integrated training on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) for the communities from the Bureta and Lovoni Districts.

Participants will also take part in the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM) training sessions, facilitated by the Ministry of Forestry - Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Fiji, and the Lomaiviti Provincial Council.

Through these trainings, participants are gaining practical knowledge and skills to support environmental sustainability, protect biodiversity, strengthen livelihoods, and promote sustainable land-use practices for future generations.

This is part of the Kiwa WISH+ project under Kiwa Initiative which is funded by the European Union in the Pacific, La politique étrangère du Canada – Affaires mondiales Canada AFD - Agence Française de Développement Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

To commemorate World Environment and Oceans Day, our team together with our stakeholders led by Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change initiated a clean-up campaign along Suva point area to my Suva Park reaffirming our commitment to protecting Fiji’s unique natural heritage.
At WCS-Fiji, our work spans from ridge to reef; supporting communities to conserve coral reefs, strengthen sustainable fisheries, restore forests and watersheds, protect biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change. As we commemorate World Environment and World Ocean Day, we also recognize the vital role our Environment and Ocean play in sustaining livelihoods, food security, culture, and biodiversity.

WCS recently supported a week-long Business Management and Bookkeeping Training in Navunievu facilitated by the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development, bringing together thirty (30) youths to strengthen their knowledge and skills in cooperative management, bookkeeping, and small business development.

The training was conducted under the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative, which aims to create alternative livelihood opportunities for communities while helping reduce fishing pressure on marine resources.

Participants were introduced to key areas such as business management, record keeping, leadership, and cooperative operations, equipping them with practical skills to support income-generating activities within their community.

The training also provided youths with a better understanding of the importance of cooperatives, proper bookkeeping practices, teamwork, and accountability in running a successful business initiative.

WCS acknowledges the partnership and support of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada for supporting initiatives that empower rural youths and strengthen community resilience.

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Youth Empowerment Initiative Brings Business Skills Training to Navunievu. Thirty (30) youths from Navunievu took part in a week-long Business Management and Bookkeeping Training conducted in the village last week, aimed at empowering young people with the skills needed to build sustainable livelihoods and strengthen their involvement in community development. The train

Earlier this month WCS in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce & Business Development, recently held a Business Management and Basic Bookkeeping training in Navunievu, Bua.

The training is part of the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative, which supports alternative income options to help reduce pressure on local fishing areas.

Women from the Waitabu, Tiliva and Tacilevu Cooperatives took part, gaining practical skills to better manage and grow their kuta (reed) business, with a focus on financial literacy, record-keeping, and long-term sustainability.

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Women of Navunievu empowered through Business Bookkeeping Training. In the coastal communities of Bua, where tradition and livelihood are deeply intertwined, a recent training initiative is helping women turn cultural knowledge into sustainable economic opportunity. Earlier this month WCS had conducted a Business Management and Bookkeeping Training for the women of

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is remembered as one of Fiji’s greatest visionaries, a leader who understood the deep connection between people, land, and future generations. While he is widely known for helping establish the Native Land Trust system to safeguard iTaukei land, his vision also reflected the importance of managing land wisely to sustain livelihoods and communities. He believed that land should be protected, cared for, and used responsibly for the benefit of present and future generations. Today, that legacy continues through conservation efforts across Fiji.

At WCS-Fiji, our work to support integrated reef-to-ridge management, restoring and safeguarding forests and climate resilient reefs, reflects the same principle that healthy ecosystems support healthy communities.