Lake Ngardok

Conservation benefit: Support of the 1,236-acre Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve in perpetuity

Community benefit: Construction of a solar-powered, eco-friendly visitor and education center

Date Approved: 01.2007

Forest

The Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve contains the largest freshwater lake in Micronesia, which provides water for local residents. It is an important habitat for the endangered Palau gray duck, Micronesian pigeon, Mariana fruit bat, and saltwater crocodile. The reserve includes the entire upland watershed of the Ngardorech River, one of Babeldaob Island’s five major river systems. The lake has international ecological significance and was named under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Significance.

Working with the Palau Conservation Society, Seacology is funding construction of a solar-powered, eco-friendly visitor and educational center at the reserve. This grant is made in recognition of the conservation of the Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve in perpetuity.

Project Updates

July 2015

Seacology Field Representative Simon Ellis and Program Manager Mary Randolph visited the site this month. They report that the three buildings that a Seacology grant financed—visitors’ center, plant nursery, and bathroom block—all look great. They are neatly painted and well-maintained, and the outside areas are clean and attractive. A full schedule of events was posted at the visitors’ center. The nature reserve at the lake is now part of Palau’s Protected Area Network (PAN).

May 2010

PCS reports that all three buildings have been built. One building is a nursery, with an indoor seedling propagation and storage area and a fenced outdoor area. The outdoor area has been stocked with dirt, but seeds have not yet been propagated. A second building is a toilet facility. The third is the visitors center, which has a room for displays and vending and an outdoor waiting area.

The cost of building the structures and obtaining necessary fixtures such as toilets was more expensive than originally expected. PCS and the Ngardok Nature Reserve Board have sought other funding for solar panels. PCS will continue to report on progress at the visitors center until it is fully operational.

November 2009

Field representative Simon Ellis reports that PCS staff have been trying to get solar panels for the visitors’ center donated through the Palau Energy Office. They recently found out that the energy office will not be able to make such a donation, but they are fairly certain that staff will be able to identify other sources for such a donation. They will spend the remaining funds on fixtures for the center and hope to buy items by the end of 2009.

June 2009

A soft opening for the visitors’ center was held on February 1, 2009, to coincide with World Wetlands Day on February 2. More than 60 people attended, including state and traditional leaders, community members, local students, businesses, national government representatives, and PCS staff. People viewed the center, went on a tour of the reserve, and participated in awareness raising events such as an essay contest for the schoolchildren.

The center is almost complete, but still needs solar panels and bathroom fixtures. There has been a slight delay in getting these items, but our partner expects to have them in place for the official opening of the center, which is scheduled for Palau Conservation Day (June 14). The reserve remains under active protection.

January 2009

Construction began in April 2008. As of November construction continued, and project leaders anticipated that the building would be complete by the end of 2008. The reserve remains under active protection.

December 2007

The site for the center has been selected, but construction was delayed until October 2007 by the permitting process. All permits were granted in October, and PCS is ready to begin buying materials and finalizing construction plans.

July 2007

After her site visits in Micronesia, Seacology Senior Program Officer Karen Peterson reports that the site for the new solar-powered visitors’ center has been selected. According to PCS director Tiare Holme, construction has been held up by the permitting process, but the permits have finally come through and construction is scheduled to begin within a month. The trailwork is very nicely done, with recycled plastic decking in wet spots and also used for a dock extending into the lake.

March 2007

Purchase and transportation of materials, finalizing the design of the center, and construction is scheduled for March through July 2007. Plans for August through December 2007 include completing the installation of the solar power system, septic system and opening ceremony.

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