Overview:
Palau’s Earth Day Committee marked World Mangrove Day with a community clean-up at the Ngemai Conservation Area in Ngiwal, bringing together residents and volunteers to protect one of Palau’s vital coastal ecosystems. The effort removed 555 kilograms of waste, about 90% of it plastic.
To celebrate World Mangrove Day, the Palau Earth Day Committee partnered with Ngiwal State to organize a community clean-up at the Ngemai Conservation Area. World Mangrove Day, officially known as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, is observed annually on July 26. Established by UNESCO in 2015, the day aims to raise global awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote their protection, restoration, and sustainable management.
In 2026, the Palau Earth Day Committee is chaired by the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), with the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) serving in an advisory and secretariat role. The Committee brings together representatives from 16 organizations across a range of sectors, including the Palau Conservation Society, Friends of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, Ministry of Education, Civic Action Team, OneReef, Koror State Government Solid Waste Management, and National Solid Waste Management.
Guided by the principle that “Earth Day is Every Day,” the Committee works to organize environmental activities throughout the year and encourages communities across Palau to participate.
On Wednesday, July 22, the Committee held a community meeting in Ngiwal, welcoming community members to learn about mangrove ecosystems and climate change research. Dr. Richard MacKenzie, a scientist with Palau’s Office of Climate Change, spoke about the importance of mangroves and shared findings from his research on this vital ecosystem. Tim Linsell, PICRC’s Climate Change Researcher, discussed the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. Jovita Bruno from the National Solid Waste Management Office then provided information and guidelines for the upcoming mangrove clean-up.
On Saturday, July 25, community members, Earth Day Committee representatives, and volunteers from across Palau gathered in Ngiwal to remove waste from the Ngemai Conservation Area. Reusable onion sacks and biodegradable trash bags were used to help minimize the environmental impact of the clean-up.
A total of 555 kilograms of waste was collected. Plastics accounted for approximately 90% of the waste, followed by plastic and rubber materials at 9%, and organic materials at 1%. The collected waste was transported to Koror State Solid Waste Management, where it was processed into biowaste using GOMIX waste-recycling equipment.
The Earth Day Committee will continue organizing events and activities that engage communities across Palau in environmental initiatives and help protect and safeguard the country’s vital ecosystems.
The Committee extends its sincere appreciation to OneReef and Ngiwal State for providing lunch and refreshments for the community activities.