“SEEDS” are important assets in our Melanesian Culture, because they are important sources for food sustainability. Seeds have been passed from generation to generations and the indigenous food seeds we have today have travelled through time. When we describe Sustainability at the local communities, there is no better description than the cycle of collecting, preserving and replanting seeds. Commu
nities understand sustainability in a clear picture when described as a seed cycle. Today a “SEED” can be an idea, a skilled training, information, a small funding or an actual seedling when planted in a community can result in sustainable community development. Giving a community a seed is promoting self-reliance. When they have the seed in their hands, they can decide what to do with it and cultivate it locally following the seed cycle. With one seed planted, you can have a tree producing fruits for many years and many people will benefit from it and more seeds to replant. Program Focus
When key people volunteered to drive TSF in 2012, it started with three (3) main program components:
Component 1: Community Reforestation Program
Program Component One is focused on tree planting both for Reforestation and Reforestation to improve the environment and the sustainability and preservation of important water catchments and water systems that provides an important water source for the local community and contribute towards mitigation of impacts of climate change and increasing carbon storage. This includes reforestation of;
- old forest sites,
- improve kunai grassland,
- utilize unused and wastelands
- Protect and improve important water catchment, watershed and waterways by creating reforestation buffers. Component 2: Conservation
Program Component Two is focused on two thematic issues:
A. Conservation of important ecosystems such as important water catchment areas and to conserve the remaining forest cover. The main focus is to;
- To maintain and protect current forests and water system
- To protect important habitats
- To promote conservation initiatives
B. Research and Preservation of indigenous seeds and to regenerate rare and unique food species in WHP to maintain our unique food culture now under threats due to a changing food culture and, loss of soil fertility and climate change. The main focus is to;
- To protect indigenous seeds
- To regenerate indigenous seeds
- To document and create an indigenous seeds data base
Component 3: Sustainable Livelihood Alternatives
Program Component Three is to encourage and promote sustainable livelihoods alternatives as a practical approach to community development and to promote economic activities that promote the environment and forests without compromising its values and standards. This program’s main focus is;
- To encourage sustainable approaches to improve community standard of living
- To conduct livelihood related trainings
- To promote Food Security & Alternative Food cropping
- To promote Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP)
- To create a database for NTFP
- To promote NTFP Marketing
- To promote eco-forestry
- To promote eco-tourism
