$245,000 grant will be used to combat invasive bird species

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American Samoa has been awarded a grant of $245,000 through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program for Fiscal Year 2024.

The grant is awarded for the project: “Managing Invasive Bird Populations in Tutuila’s Northern Mountainous Villages to Protect American Samoa’s Biodiversity.”

It will enable the Biodiversity Team of the Governor’s Office to implement targeted strategies addressing the ecological threat posed by invasive species, such as myna and bulbul birds, which have endangered native bird populations and caused disruption to American Samoa’s ecosystems.

As of October 2024, the Biodiversity Team has already removed over 59,000 non-native myna birds, and this additional funding will ensure the continuation and expansion of these efforts.

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga expressed his deep appreciation to the Office of Insular Affairs for their ongoing support. He said, “This generous grant from OIA is crucial to the success of our biodiversity initiatives.

“We are dedicated to protecting the ecological health of our islands, and this funding will empower our efforts to reduce the impact of invasive species, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our native biodiversity, natural heritage, and the well-being of future generations.”