An American Samoa National Park Needed to Protect Rainforest

Number: 1987-29

WHEREAS, American Samoa has a large area of the tropical rainforest remaining under United States jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, over half of the rainforest trees are directly dependent upon the endangered Samoan Fruit Bat for seed dispersal and pollination; and

WHEREAS, tropical rainforests are rapidly being depleted worldwide by as much as ten percent per year, and examples of conservation and preservation of the tropical rainforest need to be set; and

WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Parks and Wildlife has requested the National Park Service to draft a plan for the establishment of an American Samoa National Park to protect natural areas of this distinctive tropical rainforest;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1987 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, hereby supports the planning and establishment of a national park in American Samoa to protect unique areas of tropical rainforest and the Samoan Fruit Bat populations.