Young Ocean Ambassador Joins Citizen Science Initiative to Reduce Waste

Apia, Samoa – 10 February 2025 – In an inspiring display of community engagement, Conservation International Samoa hosted a citizen science workshop last Thursday, focusing on household waste management audits. The event brought together participants of all ages, including 14-year-old Hanisisevae Vai-Stierman, the Ocean Ambassador for Manta Trust, who shared her enthusiasm for the initiative.

“Today I learnt that a citizen scientist is a non-professional that collects data, makes observations, and analyses, under the guidance of an expert,” said Hanisese.

“As part of the Conservation International Citizen Scientist Waste Management Audit, my family is going to collect, weigh, and categorize our household rubbish. I am looking forward to finding out which category of waste my family contributes the most and finding out from experts how we can reduce our waste.”

Participants sorting the different types of waste during the waste audit demonstration.

The workshop was designed to address a growing interest among Samoans to participate in environmental conservation efforts. “Many people want to get involved in protecting our environment, but they don’t always know where to start or how to contribute”, said Le’ausalilo Leilani Duffy – Iosefa, Oceans Director at Conservation International Samoa. “Waste management is something everyone can do, and it provides data that can inform larger environmental strategies.”

The event aligns with Samoa’s Ocean Strategy, which emphasizes sustainable management of ocean resources and reduction of land-based pollution. It featured presentations on the principles of citizen science and practical steps for conducting household waste audits. Participants also took part in a live demonstration of waste auditing techniques and received tools such as scales, trash bags and sanitizers, to conduct their own audits at home and submit their data.

The event also marked a unique approach for Conservation International Samoa, as it was the first time the programme sought participation purely online. It was opened to the public through an online invitation on Facebook, considering anyone with an interest to join. The response highlights a strong interest in citizen science and environmental stewardship among Samoans.

Conservation International Samoa plans to share the data collected by participants with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to inform future waste reduction strategies and community initiatives. Conservation International would like to acknowledge the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in making the event possible.