Paterson Shed, the executive director of CSP, was the proud Micronesian from Pohnpei who received the $5,000 award from the Equator Initiative.
Equator Initiative is a United Nations-led partnership that supports grassroots efforts in biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation.
Shed accepted the $5,000 prize during a high-level awards ceremony, which included such dignitaries as Prince Albert of Monaco and American billionaire Ted Turner.
“This award signals that CSP is not only doing a great job of conserving the natural heritage of Pohnpei. It can also serve as a model for other groups around the world,” said Bill Raynor, director of the Nature Conservancy’s Program in Micronesia.
The Nature Conservancy helped launched CSP in 1997 with a start up challenge grant and has since worked to connect the society with international funders and other resources.
According to the prize committee, the level of competition for the prize was extremely high and the depth of nominations received was truly impressive.
Nevertheless, among this year’s remarkable entries, CSP has provided the prize committee with a strong demonstration of the inventiveness of community-based work currently being undertaken in the tropic, that are often against tremendous odds.
Shed said since the inception of the CSP 10 years ago, the community it serves has always been at the center and forefront of CSP’s mission.
