15 February 2012: The February 2012 issue of the “Micronesia Challenge Newsletter,” published by the Micronesia Challenge Secretariat, features articles on a climate change adaptation workshop in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and an upcoming pig derby in Guam.

The newsletter highlights that the Micronesia Conservation Trust has been supporting climate change adaptation workshops across the region. The most recent workshop was conducted in Chuuk, FSM, from 6-10 February 2012. Upcoming workshops are to be conducted in Kosrae, FSM (27 February – 2 March), and Yap, FSM (2-6 April). Schedules are also being finalized for workshops in Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands.

The newsletter also features the details of a planned pig derby in Guam as part of efforts to address invasive ungulates. The event, scheduled for April will involve a two-day island pig hunting competition, intended to draw national attention to the problem of feral pigs, and assist Guam in moving toward a more effective management approach. Permissible methods of take will be with firearms or archery only, as permitted under the current Guam Hunting Regulations.

The Micronesia Challenge, a commitment by the FSM, Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands, aims to conserve at least 30% of near-shore marine resources and 20% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020, exceeding the goals set by current international conventions and treaties. The Micronesia Challenge is a commitment of the Global Island Partnership, which is recognised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as a partnership to advance the implementation of the CBD 2010 biodiversity target, to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, and the programmes of work on island biodiversity and protected areas. [Micronesia Challenge Website] [Publication: Micronesia Challenge Newsletter Volume 3 February 2012]