Ia Ora Na

This month, Tetiaroa Society and The Brando were honored by EarthX with the Eco Organization of the Year Global Impact Award. This was in recognition of what can be done on a small island when partners and funders commit to focus not only on conservation problems at home, but also pressing global issues that need solutions.

I was in Dallas to accept the award and I have to say that even better than actually receiving accolades was seeing the sheer number of people and corporations gathered there all working to save the planet. From early morning sessions to very late evening gatherings, views were shared across the political spectrum and from every business and non-profit angle imaginable. It was truly inspiring. For Tetiaroa Society and The Brando to be in the middle of all this shows just how far we have come, and that we are in great company going forward.

Thank you for all you do, and have done, to get us here today. You should feel great pride in this award--we couldn't have done it without your dedication to our mission. 

 - Frank Murphy, Executive Director

International nonprofit Mission Blue has declared Tetiaroa Atoll a Hope Spot in support of Tetiaroa Society’s goal of establishing full protection of the island from a ground-up, grassroots approach and in support of Te Mana o Te Moana’s long term sea turtle nesting program on the atoll.

This Hope Spot designation will aid in Tetiaroa Society and Te Mana o Te Moana’s goals by recognizing the importance of ground-up sustainability programs in front of an informed global audience.

A recent 1,500 page U.N. report, the IPBES Global Assessment, delivered grim news for our world’s biodiversity on May 6. The most comprehensive assessment to date found over 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to human activities  and that the current global response is insufficient.

We are altering the Earth so drastically that we are threatening the species and ecosystems we depend on for survival.

However, there is hope.

Pacific Islanders see the impacts of global environmental pressures on our natural world first-hand, every day, and are taking bold action to make a change.

Work on Tetiaroa Atoll has also revealed that real change is possible. Scientists on Tetiaroa continue to explore and apply innovative solutions to address local environmental problems that have the potential for global benefit. This includes restoring habitats by removing invasive species, monitoring native species like green sea turtles and sharks, and modeling future environmental scenarios on land and in the ocean.

Tetiaroa Society and The Brando Awarded
EarthX's 2019 Eco Organization of the Year Global Impact Award

Tetiaroa Society and the eco-luxury resort The Brando were awarded the Eco-Organization of the Year Global Impact Award at EarthX 2019, the largest environmental expo in the US. The award was given by JB Kelly, the President of the US Chapter of Prince Albert II Foundation for the two organizations’ creative, inspiring, and impactful environmental work on Tetiaroa.

The sea cucumber, or ‘rori’ as it’s known in Tahiti, is our organism of the month for May! There are three common species on Tetiaroa (below) that can all easily be seen on a visit to the atoll. 

Because sea cucumbers are slow and can’t really travel long distances, they are tied very closely to their environment. Studies demonstrate that they are reliable bio-indicator of the quality of their habitat. Analysis of a small piece of their feeding appendages (which quickly regenerates) can give a snapshot of the organic nutrients of a site.

It is critical we continue to work together to protect the environment they depend on.

Tetiaroa Society receives generous support from The Brando for our core operations, but our ability to carry out innovative programs depends on your help -- any amount is appreciated!

Tetiaroa Society is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID #45-1080688). We host scientific research, develop and implement conservation and education programs, and curate the island's knowledge base. We partner with The Brando to establish Tetiaroa as a model for sustainability, where businesses, non-profits, scientists, educators and the local community work together for common goals. Our program objectives are summarized in our Conservation and Sustainable Use Plan, which is available on our website.