Our Mission

To conserve and sustain the natural resources, environment and biodiversity of Tonga for resilient and healthy communities and future generations

Values

VEPA provides an inclusive and people-centred approach to increasing biodiversity conservation, environment management and livelihood support. Learn more here

Key focus areas

VEPA has 4 key focus areas to support and enhance our mission and values.

Find out more

Volunteer

Find out more about volunteering with us and see how you could come and be a part of our programs.

Latest News

  • Field Notes: Hot sands and endangered species

    Field Notes: Hot sands and endangered species

    Beaches are an ecological wonder, home to a wide variety of species that live within the beach or migrate to the beach as part of their lifecycle, yet beaches are facing increasing changes and environmental impacts from human uses, erosion, land development and climate change. These impacts are not only on the habitat but also… Read more

  • Coral Reef Monitoring: finding hope

    Coral Reef Monitoring: finding hope

    In October, project activities included monitoring the coral reef habitats within the Vava’u Archipelago, with this the 5th consecutive year following on from the “Rapid Assessment of Biodiversity of Vava’u (BioRAP)” in 2014 through Government of Tonga and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP). Coral reefs worldwide are under immense threats and pressures… Read more

  • S.E.A Program Coming Soon……

    S.E.A Program Coming Soon……

    Under the Vava’u Ocean Initiative in partnership with the Waitt Institute and Ministry of Fisheries, we are excited and delighted for the upcoming launch of the Special Management Area (SMA) Environmental Ambassador Program (S.E.A). Special Management Areas (SMAs) are a community based fisheries program under the Ministry of Fisheries since 2002, which allows for communities… Read more

  • Thorn in our Side….

    Thorn in our Side….

    Well actually the thorns mostly hit our fingers and for many of us the memories of the week stay in the tingling tips of our fingers. What were we up to? Removing those nasty, spine heavy starfish called Crown of Thorns (COTS), (Acanthaster planci) or locally known as ‘Alamea. Did you know that COTS can… Read more

  • News from the field:

    News from the field:

    Here it is the launch of our new series “News from the field” which highlights our findings from surveys and projects. More detailed information will be posted to our latest news.  Let’s make 2019 one of shared experiences and knowledge. vepa_news Koe hokohoko hono tuku atu ‘emau polokalama fo’ou, “Talafungani ‘oe ‘Atakai” ‘oku mau tuku… Read more

  • Reducing the Plastic Footprint in Vava’u Communities

    Reducing the Plastic Footprint in Vava’u Communities

    INTRODUCTION The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) is a NGO based in Neiafu, Vava’u dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, increasing community knowledge of environmental issues and securing sustainable livelihoods for future generations. VEPA operates a range of terrestrial and marine based projects to achieve this goal. VEPA recently collaborated with Ocean Ambassadors, working together… Read more

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Photo @ Joe Lepore, Waitt Institute