Eleven Peace Corps trainees joined the village of Fusi Saoluafata this week for two environmental education and planting events: a coastal mangrove restoration and an inland terrestrial tree planting.

These activities form a key part of the trainees’ 11-week pre-service training, which equips them with the language, cultural, and technical skills needed for their upcoming two-year service.  The group is the first cohort to participate in Ridge-to-Reef Resilient Samoa, a new Peace Corps initiative designed to help communities sustainably manage ecosystems from upland forests to coastal reefs.

The initiative is carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD).  Together, these partners are advancing environmental conservation resilience, and nature-based solutions to pressing environmental challenges across Samoa.

During the September 5 event, trainees and villagers planted approximately 200 native terrestrial trees to restore forest cover, safeguard water resources, preserve biodiversity, and rehabilitate ecosystems.  Along the coast, the group collected and planted hundreds of mangrove seedlings to strengthen coastal resilience, provide marine habitats, and reduce erosion.

“This event highlights the collaboration between the Peace Corps and the government of Samoa in caring for the environment,” said Peace Corps Samoa Country Director Gini Wilderson.  “Through Ridge-to-Reef Resilient Samoa, we hope to support communities in protecting the land and sea while also fostering cross-cultural learning.  We are proud of these trainees and their commitment as they begin their service.”

Daniel Tarapacki, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Apia, emphasised the broader U.S. commitment to the Pacific.  “The U.S. is proud to work side-by-side with Pacific communities to find solutions that are locally driven, culturally informed, and that bring prosperity to our peoples”.

Village leaders expressed appreciation for the collaboration, noting that tree planting is both a practical response to a changing environment and a way of honouring future generations.  Pulenu’u Aloniu Eiko Aloniu, Mayor of Fusi, commented: "This is a place where household rubbish from our village was once dumped.  Now all such activities have been stopped, and the village is working together to reduce these issues and clean up the area for long-term overall public health."

For the trainees, the event was also an important cultural exchange. They described it as an opportunity to learn directly from Samoan communities while contributing to local priorities.

Together, Peace Corps trainees and staff, officials from MNRE, MWCSD, and the U.S. Embassy, along with the Fusi-Saoluafata community, not only planted hundreds of trees but also planted the seeds of knowledge, resilience, and partnership that will continue to grow throughout Samoa.