Ranger Kaltabang Fred Loru Forest Conservation Area Photos Marian Reid Nakau

Loru | Vanuatu

In the north of Espiritu Santo, the Serakar Clan are the traditional custodians of a small but vital area of remnant rainforest—connecting their community to the sea.

Made up of five extended families, the clan made a deliberate decision to protect this forest from land clearing and large-scale agriculture.

They established the Loru Community Conservation Area under the Vanuatu Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act (2010), and developed a forest conservation carbon project to create an alternative source of income.

Today, the community is generating income through their conservation efforts—receiving payments for protecting the forest, running a native tree nursery, and selling garden produce grown around the protected area.

They are also actively restoring the land by removing invasive vine species, Merremia peltata (big lif), and planting native trees to expand the conservation area.

293 hectaresof rainforest protected
44,616 tonnesCO2 verified emissions reduced since the project commenced
130 community memberssupported to protect rainforest and develop alternative incomes
Nursery Manager Riman Ser and Ranger Roco Moses in the Loru forest Photo WWF Australia Damian Mobbs 2Finance Officer Dorolyn Ser in Serthiac office Photo WWF Australia Damian Mobbs

Plants and animals

The Loru rainforest provides critical habitat for the threatened Vanuatu megapode, and the unique and rare coconut crab.

The area is also home to several endemic birds including Vanuatu kingfishers, flycatchers, fruit doves, Vanuatu white-eyes, Imperial pigeons and Golden whistlers. ​

Loru Forest Conservation Area TreeCheif Skip Ser in the Loru ForestYellow fronted White eye Zosterops flavifrons 1

In 2019, the Loru Forest Project won the prestigious United Nations Equator Award for local innovative climate solutions.

PARTNERS

The Loru Forest Project is a partnership between the Serakar Clan, Nakau and Live and Learn Vanuatu. The project was established with support from the European Union and Ekos. 

Restoration project work is supported by the Australian Government and WWF-Australia as part of Climate Resilient by Nature. The Loru Forest Project is verified under Plan Vivo Climate and independently audited by CPMA International and Naven to ensure integrity.

WATCH

Loru's Generation Restoration

Ranger Roco Moses in a merremia thicket Photo WWF Australia Damian Mobbs

Other verified projects

Drawa Fiji

On Vanua Levu, eight mataqali are working together to protect the Drawa rainforest. They were one of the first Pacific communities to use the Nakau Methodology. 

Learn more

Babatana Solomon Islands

On South Choiseul in the Solomon Islands, tribes from the Babatana language group are choosing to protect their rainforests and support their community.

Learn more

Sirebe Solomon Islands

Sirebe Tribe are protecting 806 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 500 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project. 

Learn more

Padezaka Solomon Islands

Padezaka Tribe are protecting 4823 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 4000 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

Learn more

Siporae Solomon Islands

Siporae Tribe are protecting 666 hectares of rainforest on South Choiseul and supporting 900 community members. They are part of the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

Learn more