YELA (acronym for Yela Environment Landowners Authority) is a grass-roots organization based in Kosrae, Micronesia. This family-led association consists of ten families, with over 200 active members, with private ownership of a unique forest known locally as Yela Ka. YELA, founded in 2006, is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) stewarded by the family members.
YELA grew out of an unprecedented interest and a profound shared commitment to sustain, protect and conserve the last Ka (terminalia carolinensis) forest in the world. With technical assistance and support from USFS (US Forest Services), TNC (The Nature Conservancy), MCT (Micronesia Conservation Trust), KIRMA (Kosrae Island Resource Management Authority), Kosrae HPO (Historic & Preservation Office), KVB (Kosrae Visitors Bureau), and KCSO (Kosrae Conservation & Safety Organization), YELA built its initiative from ground zero to where it is today as a successful, resilient conservation project.
Many sacrifices and investments were made by countless organization, donors, individuals, volunteers and community-based organizations (CBOs) to pave the way for the YELA project. There are so many great people and outstanding groups that must be credited for their invaluable contributions that helped to shape and champion this project. We can only recognize and be wholeheartedly grateful to them. Without their support, we would not have this great story to share. In their names and memories, we wish to say Kulo na ma lulap! (Thank you very much!)
The mission of YELA is “To protect the world’s only remaining Ka forest (Terminalia carolinensis) and its great ecological wealth from all harmful activities so that the Yela swamp and its surrounding ecosystems may continue to benefit the members, Kosraeans and people from around the world with its educational, cultural, historical, scientific, economic and environmental values”.
Our vision is “To establish Yela as the first forest legacy in Kosrae that is sustainably conserved in perpetuity to benefit all Kosraeans today and for the future generations.
The Enchanted Forest 