The last assessment of local forests was conducted ten years ago and since then, there has been a lot of excavation on hillsides, construction in wooded areas and other development which has resulted in the loss of trees and shrubs.
A group from the US mainland are now in the territory to carry out the decennial assessment of American Samoa’s forests. The nearly ten-member group represents various federal agencies and are working with Territorial Forester Dennis Sene and his crew, along with reps from the National Park of American Samoa and the Governor’s Office Invasive Species Unit.
Since arriving a week ago the federal team has been training their local counterparts on assessment techniques and procedures and analysis. Territorial Forester, Dennis Sene says that the team will be farming out to preselected plots on Tutuila, Aunu’u and Manu’a.
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Sene gave this view when asked for his opinion of recent clearings and excavations across Tutuila.
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