24 June 2025, North Tanna, Vanuatu - In 2024, the Nusumetu Community Conservation site on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, was identified as a priority ecological site under its community Conservation Area Management Plan. It was selected to pilot an invasive species management initiative aimed at reintroducing lost native species, an essential step in climate change adaptation.
Following initial consultations with local stakeholders, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through its Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS), organised a four-day community training session in May. The training focused on safe and effective methods for controlling invasive weeds, supporting efforts to restore the ecological health of the Nusumetu site.
Led by PRISMSS Programme Coordinator Mr. Josef Pisi and supported by the Vanuatu Department of Environment Protection and Conservation (DEPC), the training was part of the PRISMSS Resilient Ecosystems–Resilient Communities (RERC) programme. The training aimed not only to build practical skills but also to deepen community understanding of ecological resilience, all while honouring the cultural heritage that makes Nusumetu unique.
Mr Pisi commented that, “when threats to an ecosystem’s function are removed, nature has the capacity to regenerate on its own, however, restoring specific ecological roles may sometimes require the reintroduction of certain species.”
“Ecological restoration is about working with nature, not against it and focuses on supporting natural processes. A crucial part of this support is the removal of invasive species, which helps ecosystems recover and resume their essential functions.”
The PRISMSS Programme Coordinator elaborated that managing invasive species was everyone’s responsibility and that it is important the local communities are empowered and involved at all steps of a restoration programme.
“We must also recognise that restoration is a long term objective and activities happen over time to get the needful results but the communities will eventually benefit from restoration and should take ownership of on ground work with the assistance of logistical and technical advice.”
The Department of Environment Protection and Conservation (DEPC), which has been providing in-country coordination for the restoration at the conservation site, acknowledged that the PRISMSS RERC programme at the Nusumetu Conservation site bridges management gaps related to biodiversity protection and conservation.
As part of the site restoration work, the PRISMSS RERC programme provided the Nusumetu community with essential resources, including herbicides to better manage identified invasive weeds. A dedicated storage shelter has been constructed near the conservation area to safely house these materials. A water tank, awaiting delivery to the community site, will support herbicide preparation, equipment cleaning, and hygiene needs.
Community members received practical training in herbicide preparation and application techniques for targeting invasive weeds. Equipment such as backpack sprayers, hand spray bottles and hand-pull saws, along with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and first aid kits were also provided. Signage to remind the community about correct herbicide mixing procedures including safety guidelines will be placed on the storage shelter.
Mr Joe lautim, Secretary General, Tafea Provincial Government on Tanna, shared that, “over time, we have witnessed a growing presence of invasive weeds and animals in our forests and communities on Tanna. We are grateful for the support provided by the SPREP-led PRISMSS programme at the Nusumetu Community Conservation Site.”
“Their efforts through community training, provision of essential resources and proper personal protective equipment are making a meaningful difference. It is important our communities are empowered and actively involved in our shared mission to conserve biodiversity."
The restoration programme, under the New Zealand Government funded PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience Project, has designated 21 hectares within the Nusemetu Conservation site to trial multi-taxa invasive species management. The area was selected due to its cultural and ecological importance to local communities. A total of 14 management unit areas have been identified as part of the site-led management approach.
A site-based approach is the most viable option to restore and sustain ecosystems by managing multiple invasive species and reintroducing lost native species over time. Targeted action supports natural regeneration and ecosystem function, even if invasive species persist outside managed areas.
High-priority sites and threatened species benefit from holistic management, including species reintroduction. These sites also serve as valuable educational and research tools, highlighting the importance of native biodiversity.
As part of the community training a site investigation identified five target invasive species which included Big-lif or Merremia (Merremia peltate), Lantana (Lantana camara), American rope or Mile-a-minute (Micania micarantha), Broom weed (Sida acuta), Blue rat’s tail (Stachytarpheta urticifolia) and Mimosa or sensitive plant.
Mr Ken Bob, a local conservation specialist, ranger and Nusumetu Community Conservation Area Vice Chairperson was pleased with the outcomes of the community training which empowered the community not only with knowledge but also valuable resources.
"Protecting the rich biodiversity of our forests is a vision we all share, and, in our community, our women, elders, and youth all contribute. As a community, we restore our forests by removing invasive species that threaten our native plants and the way we live.”
“This is more than just restoration, it is about honouring our land, our culture, and our future. Together, we are growing a forest where both nature and our people can thrive.”
Mr Esiah Dick, from the Nusumetu-Tipinine community shared that, “several organisations have visited our community restoration site, but unfortunately, they didn’t provide to us the kind of support we truly needed, such as proper training, awareness, or resources to effectively manage the invasive species threatening our forests.
“Restoration isn’t just about planting trees, it’s also about better understanding how to correctly and safely manage the invasive species that are harming our native plants.”
The Nusumetu Community Conservation will host a Ranger Exchange Programme in April 2026, bringing together rangers from across Vanuatu. This initiative aims to highlight the restoration efforts underway at Nusumetu, while fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building among conservation practitioners.
Participants will engage in field-based learning, cultural exchange, and practical demonstrations of successful restoration techniques.
The PRISMSS RERC programme will continue working with DEPC and the Nusumetu community to complete restoration efforts at the control site and expand similar initiatives across other priority ecological areas in the region.
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About PRISMSS: The Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) is a coordinating mechanism designed to facilitate the scaling up of operational management of invasive species in the Pacific. PRISMSS brings together experts to provide support within the Pacific region with a focus on protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem function. As a service provider, PRISMSS provides a comprehensive suite of support services in a cohesive, effective, efficient, and accessible manner to Pacific Island countries and territories.
Restoring Island Resilience (RIR): The PRISMSS - Restoring Island Resilience (RIR) is a New Zealand-PRISMSS collaboration project that aims to improve Pacific Island Countries and territories livelihoods and resilience to climate change by reducing the impact of invasive species on natural and agricultural ecosystems through the six PRISMSS programmes.
PRISMSS Powered by: New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade, UK International Development, GEF, UNEP & SPREP
PRISMSS Partners: Birdlife International, NZ Department of Conservation, Island Conservation, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Pacific Community and SPREP
Resilient Ecosystems, Resilient Communities (RERC) Programme: RERC programme, led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Invasive Species Team and BirdLife International, integrates community involvement in ecological restoration, ensuring that resilient ecosystems provide direct benefits to local communities. By managing invasive species and reintroducing native species, we create sustainable environments where both nature and people thrive together.
PRISMSS Programmes: Natural Enemies Natural Solutions (NENS), Predator Free Pacific (PFP), Protect Our Islands (POI), Protect Our Marine Areas (POMA), Resilient Ecosystems Resilient Communities (RERC), War On Weeds (WOWs)
For additional information please contact Mr Dominic Sadler, PRISMSS Manager on dominics@sprep.org or Mr Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on nitishn@sprep.org