Previous Story
Kosrae’s Nena is Conservationist of the Year
|
Posted on Dec 06 1999
HONOLULU, Hawaii —Madison Nena of Kosrae, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, has been honored with the Seacology Foundation’s Indigenous Conservationist of the Year Award.
The presentation was made (last Thursday night) during ceremonies at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens on the Hawaiian island of Kauai
A former administrator of the Kosrae Division of Tourism, Nena left government service in 1996 to work more directly on preserving Kosrae’s environment.
He is credited with playing a major role in establishing and preserving the Utwa-Walung Conservation Area, comprised of several rivers, extensive mangrove swamps, pristine coral reefs and an abundance of marine resources.
Nena also is co-owner and operator of the Kosrae Village Resort, a dive center and ecotourism facility.
He was presented with the Seacology Prize, including a check for $5,000, by foundation chairman Dr. Paul Cox.
Past winners of the Seacology Prize include Tonga’s King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV for his efforts to preserve fruit bats, Samoan Chief Fuiono Senio for helping preserve a tropical rainforest near the village of Falealupo and Fijian Saula Vodonaivalu for his discovery of 30 new plant species. (Hulsen)
