Green infrastructure and watershed management training set for Tutuila & Manu’a

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Building on previous work in the territory, the Horsley Witten Group is collaborating with The Nature Conservancy, The American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) to strengthen local capacity for protecting vulnerable coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.

The Horsley Witten Group (HW), is an environmental consulting firm specializing in sustainable and resilient design solutions, will return to American Samoa this July to advance two integrated projects focused on green infrastructure and watershed management training.

HW will provide hands-on training to approximately 30-35 agency staff and village leaders on how to use green infrastructure techniques to reduce urban flooding, improve water quality, and stabilize streams and shorelines in the Nu’uuli Pala watershed on Tutuila. This work will result in concept designs for improvements that will complement ongoing efforts by others on critical road protection, flood control, and lagoon restoration in this area.

The second project will take place on the Manuʻa Islands, specifically Ofu and Olosega, which are connected by a bridge over the shallow Asaga Strait. HW and DMWR agency staff will conduct field assessments to identify watershed conditions that may threaten existing infrastructure and nearshore marine habitats. Watershed assessments are crucial for understanding the health of land and water systems, as they identify sources of pollution, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and opportunities for restoration.

“The ultimate goal is to restore watersheds, enhance survivorship of a threatened coral species and associated habitats, and support subsistence fisheries in American Samoa,” said Dr. Domingo Ochavillo, Chief Fisheries Biologist at the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

Geoff Glover, P.E. senior engineer at HW, will lead a four-person team on the initiative. “Our goal is to equip local agencies with practical tools to manage stormwater and erosion using resources available on the islands,” said Glover. “By combining training with field-based watershed assessments, we’re helping communities proactively address environmental challenges before they escalate.”

These projects are part of HW’s ongoing commitment to supporting Pacific and Caribbean Island communities in restoring ecosystems and building climate resilience, with a focus on strengthening local capacity to manage environmental challenges.

Funding for these efforts originates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

BACKGROUND

The Horsley Witten Group develops environmental solutions that help people, businesses, municipalities, and the environment through a holistic approach to sustainable design. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Sandwich, Mass, Horsley Witten Group currently employs more than 70 staff members specializing in engineering, science, design, planning, remediation, training, and client support. Additional information is available at horsleywitten.com

(Source: HW Group)