Today we headed out to the state of Melekeok to see the largest lake in Micronesia! We met with some of the park rangers who were there to tell us about the creation of the park. In 1997 it was made the first terrestrial protected area in Palau.
Group Photolistening to the steps taken to make the lake a protected areaIn the greenhouse where the park rangers care for native tree seedlings for replanting Jose, Katherine, and Dylan smiling with one of the park rangers of Lake Ngardok
Some of the land had received damage in World War 2 and burning from people in the local area is creating large savannahs that experience high amounts of erosion and sediment runoff. The state rangers are working to replant these areas to slow the rate of erosion.
Group photo at Lake Ngardok Making faces for the camera
Along the trail we stopped to find a carnivorous plant called the Sundew. It traps insects with a sticky sap that it produces.
Destiny and Sofia getting up close and personal with some carnivorous plants A picture of a Sundew
The rangers allowed us to plant some trees in one of the areas where they are trying to reforest.
Hiking out with our chosen trees to plant Dylan caring for his plant
On their way out the PCC students noticed that one of their tires was flat. With the help of the park rangers they were able to get it fixed in no-time!
The pit crew for the PCC van’s flat tire
After Lake Ngardok we visited an area to snorkel but we discovered it was low tide during a new moon which was making the tide even lower than normal. We decided to do some Palauan tide pooling instead.
Katherine and Tate hoping on raised sand beds back to shoreA new moon low tide
After the tide pools we went back to PCC to help build more segments for the roof for the traditional Bai.
Students listening to Bryan talk about plants
Written By:
Savannah Hesidence (Oregon State University, Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences major, Graduating Spring 2022)
An early morning start for all of us, especially Katherine
Starting the day with a morning boat trip to Ebiil Channel. Ebiil Channel is a marine protected site in the northern part of Palau established in 2000. It’s an important site for the spawning of Bumphead Parrotfish.
Sofia and Destiny pictured at bow of the boat.(pictured from Left to Right) Bryan,Sofia, Dylan, Simone, Tate, Scott, Destiny, and Katherine. This was the 12th attempt at taking this photo. pictured above is Katherine enjoying the view behind the camerapictured above is Destiny throwing peace to the fishespictured above is Simone and Destiny. Two different priorities pictured above is Sofia looking for a worthy challenger pictured above Dylan and Scott having a father and son moment under the seapictured above is the majestic Tatepictured above is Dylan trying to capture a photo of a lobsterpictured above is Jose playing for the MedaBoys in their under water leaguepictured above is underwater god Juniorpictured above is Savannah, all “clammed” up for the photo. P.S. there’s a giant clam below her.pictured above is Kobe trying to recreate the waves of the oceanpictured above is Bryan looking over his empire
Picture below are some of the interesting animals we encountered on our snorkeling adventure
pictured above is a blue sea star (Linckia Laevigata)pictured above is a cushion star(Culcita novaeguineae)pictured above is a smooth giant clam(Tridacna derasa)Lunch time back at the Ebiil society. We enjoyed fish burgers and potato salad in the summer house.
After lunch we headed to a local taro patch where we learned about its traditional significance. An elder of the village taught us about farming techniques and the importance of the keeping the tradition.
The squad walking to the taro patchThe girls applying coconut oil
We put coconut oil onto our arms and legs to prevent irritation from the taro plants. While we were doing this, we talked about legends associated with the taro patches. One of the legends created a rule where if you forget something at the field, you do not return for it. This was created from a tale of a woman returning to the field for something she forgot and found the field had turned into a lake.
Only girls were allowed into the taro patch
Some of the rules that are followed in the taro patch are that women are the only ones who take care of taro and that you are only allowed to walk in the irrigation path ways. It was believed that not walking in the water ways would curse you or curse the plants.
The guys were waiting at the side with the elderCurrent taro patch that has twelve women that tend to it
A traditional field has three different purposes. One part of the field was partitioned for the elder man of the family, one part was partitioned for customs which were funerals and first birth ceremonies, and one part of the field was partitioned for the community and those who didn’t have food.
We were listening to the elder, Ulang, seated on the right, about the history of the field. She said the field had been there since the beginning and that her mother planted in the field and her mother’s mother had planted in the field.
Written by:
Junior Yalap ( Palau High School, Auto mechanic major, Graduating Spring 2021, Pacific Academic Institute for Research)
Savannah Hesidence (Oregon State University, Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences major, Graduating Spring 2022)
