LHS’s NOAA Planet Stewards lead way removing invasive Leadtrees

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Leone High School NOAA Planet Stewards are taking on an ambitious mission to remove invasive leadtrees (Leucaena leucocephala) from their community. This initiative is driven by a commitment to restore the island's native ecosystems and protect its unique biodiversity.

Though it is not clear how leadtrees were introduced to the island they have since spread rapidly and are gradually outcompeting native plant species. Their presence has adverse effects on the local flora and fauna, necessitating a comprehensive removal effort.

Under the guidance of science teacher, Fa’amamali Ualesi and adviser Vera Peck, students with the help of community members have been working to uproot this invasive species.

Uaine is our future forester. He has enjoyed working on the invasive tree project and always comes with the right attitude to get the job done. [courtesy photo]

Their mission is multifaceted; removing leadtrees, planting local trees and shrubs in their place and educating the community about the importance of preserving native species.

The Ripley Family in Leone was one of the first members of the community to support the Leone High School NOAA Planet Stewards initiative.

This project is a testament to the power of collaborative conservation efforts. Local schools, environmental organizations, and community members have rallied behind this initiative, creating a strong collective group working to rejuvenate American Samoa's natural habitats.

Along with the removal of the invasive leadtree, Leone High School’s NOAA Planet Stewards has also committed to picking up 200 pounds of marine debris.

On their first field day, they were able to remove more than 400 invasive leadtrees and picked up 61 pounds of marine debris.

“It’s a lot of work but we have fun too. Our community has been very welcoming and supportive of our initiative.

“The toughest part is those little leadtree saplings. They just take over and they are really hard to pull from the ground, even though they are so small but we know they all have to come out,” Fa’anape Suani shared about the project.

Students know there will be challenges doing this project but they are confident they will overcome those challenges to ensure native plants can make a comeback and local wildlife can thrive.

Leone High School, NOAA Planet Stewards, non-profit organization, Fatoata and community members are united in their efforts, the common goal being to ensure the pristine island home that we all love remains just that — pristine.

If you want to learn more about the Leone High School NOAA Planet Stewards initiative, visit their Facebook page at Fatoata or scan the QR code.