A Solomon Islander's Quest to Save a Sacred Landmark: A Model for Pacific Conservation
Katy Soapi's connection with nature began at an early age in her native Rendova, a lush island in western Solomon Islands. The sound of chainsaws echoing through the forests as commercial logging swept across the country had already taken its toll on her hometown. She witnessed rivers once crystal clear turn brown with silt and the forest songs of birds and insects fade into silence.
But Soapi's story took an unexpected turn when whispers began that Tetepare, a sacred island in Western Province, might be next to fall victim to logging. For Soapi and the people of Western Province, losing Tetepare would have been like losing part of themselves - it was not just about trees; it was about identity, heritage, and ancestral traditions.
With a deep understanding of both traditional knowledge and modern science, Soapi joined forces with other community members to resist logging. The Friends of Tetepare, a grassroots movement she co-founded, worked tirelessly to conserve the island. Through relentless lobbying, writing letters to influential individuals, and connecting descendant groups, Soapi and her team successfully blocked logging concessions.
In 2012, the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA) won the prestigious United Nations Equator Prize for its community-led conservation model. This recognition highlighted the significance of Pacific people creating their own conservation models, rather than just inheriting them.
Today, Tetepare remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, with a thriving rainforest canopy and endangered leatherback turtles nesting on its black-sand beaches. Community rangers, descendants of Tetepare, patrol the island using traditional knowledge merged with modern science.
Dr Soapi's work is not without challenges. The lure of fast cash from extractive industries continues to pose a threat to conservation efforts. Despite these obstacles, her leadership has given emerging scientists a clear career path and strong mentorship to help secure ocean sustainability in the Pacific region.
For Dr Katy Soapi, Tetepare represents more than just a sacred landmark; it embodies the power of community-led conservation. Her story serves as an inspiration to communities across the Pacific, demonstrating that indigenous knowledge can be a powerful force for environmental protection.
Katy Soapi's connection with nature began at an early age in her native Rendova, a lush island in western Solomon Islands. The sound of chainsaws echoing through the forests as commercial logging swept across the country had already taken its toll on her hometown. She witnessed rivers once crystal clear turn brown with silt and the forest songs of birds and insects fade into silence.
But Soapi's story took an unexpected turn when whispers began that Tetepare, a sacred island in Western Province, might be next to fall victim to logging. For Soapi and the people of Western Province, losing Tetepare would have been like losing part of themselves - it was not just about trees; it was about identity, heritage, and ancestral traditions.
With a deep understanding of both traditional knowledge and modern science, Soapi joined forces with other community members to resist logging. The Friends of Tetepare, a grassroots movement she co-founded, worked tirelessly to conserve the island. Through relentless lobbying, writing letters to influential individuals, and connecting descendant groups, Soapi and her team successfully blocked logging concessions.
In 2012, the Tetepare Descendants' Association (TDA) won the prestigious United Nations Equator Prize for its community-led conservation model. This recognition highlighted the significance of Pacific people creating their own conservation models, rather than just inheriting them.
Today, Tetepare remains one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands, with a thriving rainforest canopy and endangered leatherback turtles nesting on its black-sand beaches. Community rangers, descendants of Tetepare, patrol the island using traditional knowledge merged with modern science.
Dr Soapi's work is not without challenges. The lure of fast cash from extractive industries continues to pose a threat to conservation efforts. Despite these obstacles, her leadership has given emerging scientists a clear career path and strong mentorship to help secure ocean sustainability in the Pacific region.
For Dr Katy Soapi, Tetepare represents more than just a sacred landmark; it embodies the power of community-led conservation. Her story serves as an inspiration to communities across the Pacific, demonstrating that indigenous knowledge can be a powerful force for environmental protection.
It's so inspiring to see a community come together and fight for their ancestral home. The way she used both traditional knowledge and modern science to lead the conservation efforts is totally on point 
. What really gets me, though, is how this movement has set an example for other Pacific communities to follow 
. It shows that indigenous people can be leaders in conservation efforts too, not just followers of Western models. And let's be real, Tetepare being one of the last untouched places in Solomon Islands is a total game-changer 
! We should all be supporting Dr Soapi and her team, 'cause they're making a real difference for the environment and Pacific communities 
.
This is some next level conservation work being done by Dr Soapi and her team. I mean, Tetepare is basically a ticking time bomb just waiting to be logged, but they've managed to block concessions and save it from destruction. It's not easy, too - all those obstacles with extractive industries trying to get in the way... but she's got heart and knows what she's doing.
. But what really gets me is how she's not just saving the trees, but also preserving the culture and traditions of her people 
. And it's awesome that she's been recognized for her efforts with a UN prize 
! 
. And it's great to see that she's giving emerging scientists a chance to shine and work on ocean sustainability 
. I mean, we need more people like Dr Soapi who are passionate about saving our planet 
!
. It's amazing how she and her community came together to protect Tetepare, not just for the sake of the island's ecosystem, but also as a way to preserve their cultural heritage and identity. It shows that indigenous knowledge and traditional practices can be powerful tools in conservation efforts 
Let's support more people like her who are making a real difference in the Pacific region 
, I'm literally so inspired by Katy Soapi's work on Tetepare! Like, I never knew how important it was to have community-led conservation models in the Pacific region... her dedication is everything 
. And I love how she's creating a career path for emerging scientists in the Pacific region - that's so cool! Keep doing your thing, Dr Soapi 
#SustainabilityHero #PacificConservation #CommunityLed #TetepareForever 
. I think its amazing how shes connected traditional knowledge with modern science to save the island 
. The way she worked with her community to resist logging and block concessions is a great example of grassroots power 
. And I'm loving how she merged traditional knowledge with modern science to make conservation work - that's the future of saving our planet