Hafa Adai, Welcome to Saipan!

Sharkwater Saipan

2011-06-10T01:17:00.001+10:00

Check out what Kathy Pagapular's 6th grade class at San Vicente Elementary School were able to accomplish with the help of Sharkwater's Rob Stewart and some other very dedicated adults. I hope this inspiring video goes viral, and I'd appreciate anything you can do to put it in the blogosphere, Twittersphere, or Facebooksphere.

Protect the Oceanic Whitetip Shark on World Ocean's Day

2011-05-16T03:05:00.001+10:00

The IUCN Red List Threatened Species assesses the Oceanic Whitetip Shark as Critically Endangered in the Western and Central Atlantic. Globally they are assessed as Vulnerable and are threatened with extinction if strong measures are not put into place to protect their remaining populations.

To raise awareness of the plight of this charismatic species, please change your Facebook profile picture to the attached graphic until World Ocean's Day on June 8, 2011. A high resolution of the photo can also be found on Flickr.

Rob Stewart Cleans Up Saipan

2011-01-24T04:53:00.001+10:00

Photo: Aya Matsumoto

'Sharkwater' director, volunteers conduct Sunday beach cleanup
Saipan Tribune

Rob Stewart, the acclaimed director of the documentary Sharkwater, joined some 30 volunteers during the beach cleanup behind Aquarius Beach Towers in Chalan Kanoa yesterday morning.

The volunteers collected a truckload or about 120 lbs of trash from the beach down by the Sugar Dock and all the way to the Aquarius beach.

Beautify CNMI!: Cinta Kaipat, Rob Stewart, Shawn Heinrichs, and Aya Matsumoto

Having participated in a recent beach cleanup in Hong Kong, Stewart noted the importance of doing beach cleanups regularly.

“It shows a great sense of care and investment in your land,” Stewart told Saipan Tribune.

Contribute to Carnival of the Blue XL: Top of the Food Chain

2010-08-11T00:55:00.001+10:00

Next month the Saipan Blog will be the host of Carnival of the Blue 40, or as I prefer to call it, Carnival of the Blue XL. COTB XL promises to be the biggest, baddest COTB EVER. Why? Well, not only is COTB turning 40, but the theme of next month's carnival is going to be Top of the Food Chain.

COTB XL is going to be all about predators, baby.

Please use this online article submission form to submit your contribution to COTB XL. Please try to make your post about predation (¿cómo se dice de tiburón en Inglés?), but if the predation bug doesn't hit you this month, COTB XL will still publish your ocean blog. If you have any questions you can email me at angelovillagomez at gmail dot com.

By the way, this will be the fourth consecutive September the Saipan Blog has hosted Carnival of the Blue. The Saipan Blog has previously hosted Carnival of the Blue IV, Carnival of the Blue XVI and Carnival of the Blue XXVIII.

*A big thanks to underwater photographer and dive instructor Harry Blalock for letting me use his photo. If you ever find yourself on Saipan in need of a dive guide: http://www.axemurderertours.com/

Mariana Trench in Outside Magazine

2010-06-24T05:16:00.001+10:00

According to Outside Magazine, I am an "up-and-comer with a strong marketing instinct." Those eight words will be in every job application and every cover letter I write for the next 20 years. Thank you, Outside Magazine!

On Saturday I received my July 2010 issue of Outside Magazine. This is an issue I have been waiting for for almost a year. This is the issue that contains the story on last year's expedition to the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

Patrick Symmes, Outside Magazine contributing editor and the writer of this article, did a fantastic job. I thought the story was going to focus mostly on the trip we took to the monument, but he took it to the next level and interviewed Sylvia Earle and officials from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. What could have simply been a story about going to a far off place turned into a great retelling of some of the best conservation that has taken place during the last decade.

The story starts before the creation of the monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and carries us through the creation of Papahanaumokuakea and the creation of Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

I have to say, it literally hurts when the story of the monument campaign, something that took so much effort and caused so much stress, is cut down to a few paragraphs, or as in the case of MSNBC, a single sentence. One day I'll be able to let go of that; perhaps after my book is published.

The Outside Magazine website says that the magazine will be available on newsstands June 29, but I was able to find it online. I'd love to hear your reactions to the story, so please feel free to leave comments.

Earth Hour

2010-03-11T00:17:00.001+10:00

On March 27th at 8:30pm the Division of Environmental quality is encouraging CNMI residents and businesses to turn their lights off for one hour in support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) sponsored Earth Hour event that seeks to raise awareness and promote global action on climate change.

In 2007 the city of Sydney, Australia decided to take a stand against global climate change by turning off their lights for one hour. This was the beginning of what has become the largest world wide event calling for action on climate change: Earth Hour.

Since its beginnings in Sydney, Earth Hour has grown exponentially in its scope and world wide participation. In 2009, 4,159 cities, towns, and municipalities from 88 different countries participated in the event. 100s of millions of people turned out their lights in an effort to raise awareness and promote action on climate change. In 2010 we will add the CNMI to that voice.

Being an island nation, the CNMI will be amongst the countries most affected by climate change. Due to our low elevation, rising sea levels put out buildings, homes, and infrastructure at risk. Increasing ocean temperatures threaten the health of the coral reefs that we depend on for food, tourism, and recreation. Higher probabilities of large storms and droughts stand to greatly affect our local agriculture.

Participating in Earth Hour will help to raise local awareness about the risks and causes of climate change as well as add to the global effort to convince leaders world wide that the time for action on climate change is now.

WWF and its local DEQ partners ask for community support to help spread the word about Earth Hour and to turn lights off between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Saturday March 27th. More information can be found at earthhour.org or at our local CNMI website: earth-hour-northern-mariana-islands.blogspot.com

Interested in volunteering to help with the Earth Hour campaign? Have any great ideas or recommendations that can add to the success of Earth Hour in the CNMI? Contact Aric Bickel at aricbickel.deq.gov.mp or at 664-8513.

Link to this blog

2009-03-03T17:41:00.001+10:00

During the 11th Micronesians in Island Conservation Retreat I was tasked with taking over the learning network's blog found at http://mic-network.blogspot.com. I've fiddled with the template and the colors a little bit here and there over the last two weeks and I'm liking the new look.

My first change was to turn the background from a solid green to a picture of two fishermen in an outrigger canoe. What says connecting islands better than a canoe?

I also added a Sitemeter counter, some frequently asked questions, contact information, and changed things around a bit so that the site is easier to navigate (at least to me). In the past I've done a few widgets for organizations I've done work with (i.e. a logo that links to your website). I used that code to add logos that link to Friends of the Monument, Micronesia Conservation Trust, and Beautify CNMI. I'll add a few more logos as work progresses on the blog, including the html code so that you can link to those websites, too!

As for the color scheme, I offer the fact that I am color blind as an excuse.

I encourage you to add a link to the Micronesians in Island Conservation blog. In the upcoming months we should be adding some great conservation stories from the whole of Micronesia. You heard it here first.

Carnival of the Blue XXII

2009-03-03T16:14:00.000+10:00

Carnival of the Blue XXII is now live at Rick MacPherson's Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, & Sunsets. It has been a while since I've submitted a post for Carnival of the Blue, not like I don't post something about the ocean every single month, but I managed to get my act together this month. Enjoy!

Micronesia Challenge on Facebook

2009-03-03T09:29:00.001+10:00

Are you a member of Facebook? Would you like to be the envy of all your friends? There is now a Facebook Fan Page and a Facebook Group for the Micronesia Challenge. Join today!

Both the Fan Page and the Group allow users to post comments on a discussion board, upload photos and video, suggest links, and leave comments. The Fan Page allows the administrator to write notes or, as I prefer to do, syndicate a blog feed. I am syndicating the Micronesians in Island Conservation blog until there is a Micronesia Challenge blog. The thing I like best about both is that the administrator has the ability to send messages to every member of both the Group and the Fan Page. This will come in handy, especially once the membership gets into the thousands.

Additionally, the Fan Page links to Fan Pages for the Micronesian governments that have signed onto the Micronesia Challenge: Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. It also links to a Fan Page for Beautify CNMI, an environmental coalition in the Marianas supportive of the Micronesia Challenge. I will link to other non-profits working on the Micronesia Challenge once someone sets up their Fan Pages. (Pehaps we can do this at the next MIC retreat or maybe the next steering committee meeting?)

So what are you waiting for? Log into Facebook and join the Facebook Fan Page and the Facebook Group for the Micronesia Challenge.

Micronesia Challenge Logo

2009-03-02T10:38:00.001+10:00

The logo was developed by Luke, an artist in Yap, and incorporates the creativity, compassion and, perhaps most importantly, the true culture of Micronesia. While the basic design is of a turtle with an "M" as the front fins and a "C" as the body, the logo also incorporates the overall aspects of air, sea and land and has come to mean different things to different people with some saying they see an island, some a bird in flight and still others seeing waves. "Micronesia" is in blue to match the "M" in the logo and "Challenge" is in green to match the "C." This logo is now the official logo of the Micronesia Challenge.

RC&D Vice Chair Petitions Obama

2009-02-26T11:05:00.000+10:00

During tomorrow's business meeting of the US Coral Reef Task Force in Washington DC, the Executive Director of the Coral Reef Alliance will be presenting Recommendations for Coral Reef Conservation to the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress. This document represents a collaborative, cross-NGO set of recommendations for swift and decisive action by the Obama Administration and Congress for responding to the global coral reef crisis.

Two Micronesians have attached their names and their organizations to this call for action. One is Ignacio V. Cabrera, Chairman of the Friends of the Monument. The other is yours truly, signing as the Executive Director of Beautify CNMI.

Here is the letter, posted in its entirety:

Recommendations for Coral Reef Conservation
To the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress

Healthy coral reefs are the largest living structures on the planet and the second largest storehouse of biological diversity. These highly productive ecosystems are economically valuable, with reef-based tourism generating over $1.2 billion each year in the Florida Keys alone. Coral reefs provide coastal protection, food, and income, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 100 million people around the world.

However, coral reefs in the United States and worldwide are declining at an alarming rate. Unless we take immediate action, we could lose up to 70 percent of the world’s coral reefs by 2050. Human activities have damaged coral reefs to the point of being the most threatened ecosystem on Earth; they are currently teetering on the edge of destruction. Fortunately, three major human impacts on reefs—climate change, overfishing, and pollution—are reversible if we act now. As noted undersea explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle has stated: “If reefs are in trouble, we are in trouble.”

We are encouraged by indications that the Obama Administration and the new Congress will establish a serious commitment to coral reef conservation through the appointment of Dr. Jane Lubchenco–a distinguished ocean scientist with a strong track record in ocean conservation–to lead the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We also see a tremendous opportunity for the United States to continue its leadership role in helping to reverse the downward spiral of coral reef destruction and ensure the health and survival of these invaluable resources for future generations.

We urge the Administration to adopt the strongest possible measures for the protection and conservation of coral reef ecosystems and stand ready to partner with the new administration in designing and implementing an effective and global coral reef conservation strategy. Such measures could include the following:

• Reauthorize the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, including authorizing international coral reef conservation activities;

• Support passage of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act;

• Enact meaningful reductions in carbon dioxide emissions that target CO2 concentrations to stabilize at levels climate scientists determine are necessary to preserve coral reef ecosystems;

• Fund and lead domestic and international coral reef conservation efforts through NOAA, USAID, EPA, the Department of the Interior, and the State Department;

• Support NOAA’s priorities in reducing impacts to coral reefs from fishing and land-based sources of pollution;

• Effectively conserve at least 30 percent of coral reef and reef-associated coastal resources in U.S. states and territories using marine managed areas over the next eight years; and

• Provide more support for ocean education and citizen-science programs to create an educated public that understands and is committed to ocean conservation.

Reauthorize the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000
The reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act must be a priority for the 111th Congress during 2009. The act was established in 2000 to preserve coral reef ecosystems, promote wise management, and obtain better information about
the current condition of coral reefs. As a result of this act, millions of Americans have been educated about the coral reef crisis, research has documented the threats and damage, and large areas such as the Northwest Hawaiian Islands have been protected. It is critical to continue this work to give reefs any chance to survive and to expand similar strategies around the world by authorizing activities for international coral reef conservation.

Support passage of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act
Increasing CO2 in the world’s atmosphere is taking its toll on the oceans by increasing the acidity of sea water, which in turn threatens the stability of the marine food chain and the ability of corals to build reefs. Essentially, as the oceans increase in acidity it becomes more difficult for animals such as scallops, clams, crabs, plankton and corals to build their shells or skeletons and slows the development of their larvae. The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act focuses federal research on rising ocean acidity and establishes a comprehensive research and monitoring program within NOAA.

Enact Meaningful Reductions in Carbon Dioxide Emissions that Target CO2 Concentrations to Stabilize at Levels Climate Scientists Determine are Necessary
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions must be prioritized. Without action, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is expected to exceed 500 parts per million (ppm) between 2050 and 2100, and global temperatures will likely rise by at least 2°C. Under these conditions, global warming and ocean acidification are predicted to damage and kill most reefs. We urge the federal government to take aggressive action to reduce emissions now–action that can serve as a benchmark for international leadership.

Fund and Lead Domestic and International Coral Reef Conservation Efforts through NOAA, USAID, EPA, the Department of the Interior, and the State Department
With the recent addition of the Marianas Trench, Pacific Remote Islands, and Rose Atoll Marine National Monuments, ensuring adequate capacity for management and monitoring of these and other domestic coral resources has never been more critical. The United States should also provide increased leadership in international and national coral reef conservation efforts. As increasing areas of reefs are damaged, tens of millions of people around the world will become desperate for food in countries that are critically important for global stability. Stopping coral reef destruction now and investing in conservation is an investment in global security.

Support NOAA’s Priorities in Reducing Impacts to Coral Reefs from Fishing and Land-based Sources of Pollution
Along with large-scale threats resulting from climate change, NOAA has identified land-based sources of pollution and impacts from fishing as priority areas for coral reef conservation. Land-based sources of pollution and poor water quality are recognized as two of the most important factors driving coral reef decline. In addition, rapid human population increases, growth of export fisheries, use of more efficient fishery gear, expansion of destructive fishing techniques, and inadequate management and enforcement have led to the depletion of not only keystone reef fish species, but also associated species and ecosystems. For these reasons, we recommend expanded funding and legislative capacity for NOAA to better manage recreational and commercial fisheries and land-based sources of pollution to meet coral reef conservation objectives.

Effectively Conserve at Least 30 Percent of Coral Reef and Reef-Associated Coastal Resources in U.S. States and Territories Using Marine Managed Areas over the Next Eight Years
Full protection of at least 30 percent of the planet’s coral reefs from human activities is a reasonable and realistic management goal that will allow reefs to thrive. On November 5, 2005, then President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., of Palau called on his peers to join him in the Micronesia Challenge to effectively conserve 30 percent of near-shore marine resources within marine protected areas by 2020. Similarly, Caribbean governments have called for 20 percent protection of marine and coastal habitats by 2020 in the Caribbean Challenge. We ask for the United States to join the many nations that recognize the importance of marine managed areas for effective coral reef conservation and provide the staff and funding needed for active research, monitoring, enforcement, and local management.

Provide More Support for Ocean Education and Citizen-Science Programs
By becoming educated about the value of coral reefs and threats to their survival, the public can become strong advocates for conservation and sustainability. One of the most effective means of education is a citizen-science program that turns
hands-on experience into knowledge. As a leader in marine conservation, the new administration should provide increased support for ocean education and citizen-science programs in the United States and internationally.

Respectfully,

Core Signatories
Angelo Villagomez, Executive Director, Beautify CNMI
Brendan Cummings, Oceans Program Director, Center for Biological Diversity
Roger McManus, Vice President for Marine Programs, Conservation International
Brian Huse, Executive Director, Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL)
Ignacio V. Cabrera, Chair, Friends of the Monument
Kristian Teleki, Director, International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)
Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director, Malama Kai Foundation
Mark Spaulding, Executive Director, The Ocean Foundation
Jenny Miller Garmendia, Director, Project AWARE Foundation
Liz Foote, Executive Director, Project SEA Link
Gregor Hodgson, Executive Director, Reef Check
Bill Eichbaum, Vice President of Marine Portfolio, World Wildlife Fund-US (WWF)

I highlighted what I consider to be the most significant recommendation, at least from my little rock in the sun. I think it is significant that two Micronesians are challenging the President of the United States to meet what one day could become the "American Challenge."

The Micronesia Challenge, which seeks to effectively conserve 30% of our nearshore resources and 20% of our terrestrial resources by 2020, has received lots of attention over the last several years, including former President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr of Palau, the man behind the Micronesia Challenge, being recognized by Time Magazine as one of the "Heroes of the Environment" in 2007.

Palau, the Marianas, and the rest of Micronesia are Small Island Nations, or as I prefer to call them, Large Ocean Nations. Our populations are small and our conservation budgets are smaller, but every single day we live with the environment. Unlike large developed nations that have a concept of the environment as someplace far away (i.e. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), the environment for Micronesians is literally in our front yard. Local people catch their dinners on the beach 50 meters from my apartment. If we don't act as good stewards of our environment, we don't eat.

The environment in Saipan is central to our economy. Not only do we depend on healthy populations of fish to feed our families, but our economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Additionally, the environment, our ocean, our beaches, and our green forests, are consistently cited as the main attractions for tourists in the Marianas. Those tourists spend money and create jobs, which in turn generates tax revenue to support all those people in government jobs.

These ideas deserve to be explored further, which I will do in the near future. This post was really just meant to post the letter.

I hope that the Obama administration takes these recommendations seriously and I hope that he recognizes and considers the Large Ocean Nations that will live with his decisions. As with Climate Change, we'll feel the effects of poor policy sooner and with more intensity than the richer, larger, more developed nations.

Beautify CNMI Email List

2009-02-20T10:29:00.001+10:00

I've spent the last two weeks getting Beautify CNMI back up to speed. I've started a Beautify CNMI Facebook fan page and I've updated the email list. We'll have activities all year in 2009. If you would like to be added to the email list, please email me at angelovillagomez at gmail dot com or call me at 285 6462 and I will add you.

Beautify CNMI Ambassador Program

2009-02-16T10:11:00.000+10:00

Beautify CNMI was listed as one of the participating programs in the NMC Service Learning grant. The way it works is students donate their time in exchange for scholarship money. I met with the coordinators at NMC on Friday and we came up with a Beautify CNMI Ambassador Program. Basically the students would help me with coordination of Beautify CNMI, taking a load of my shoulders and learning some valuable organizing skills in the process.

Nobody has signed up yet, but about 10 students came to our cleanup of Laulau Beach yesterday, so I'm hopeful. This is the program summary I sent to NMC today:

Beautify CNMI Ambassador Program
For NMC students in the service learning program

Learn how to conduct an environmental public awareness and stewardship campaign.

Participants will:

-Coordinating with government and businesses, plan an island-wide cleanup in April
-Recruit and manage participants in the cleanup
-Work with participants to adopt their adopted site for at least one year
-Help sustain cleanup and other beautification activities after island-wide cleanup
-Work with newspapers, radio, TV, and other media to broadcast campaign message
-Contribute to Myspace, Facebook, blogs , and websites to further campaign goals

Hopefully you'll be reading about the Beautify CNMI Ambassadors in the newspapers in the next couple of weeks. I'll need to get them on board right away. The first island-wide cleanup meeting is this Wednesday at DEQ.

Island Wide Cleanup

2009-02-10T10:06:00.002+10:00

In October 2006, Beautify CNMI coordinated an island wide cleanup amongst their coalition members. Over 3000 volunteers planted trees, painted over graffiti, and picked up litter off of beaches and streets.

This is just a heads up, but Beautify CNMI coalition members Division of Environmental Quality and Rotary Club of Saipan are planning another island wide cleanup for April 2009.

Our first planning meeting was this morning. Our second meeting is next Wednesday, February 18 at the Division of Environmental Quality.

Contact Angelo Villagomez at 285-6462 if you are interested in helping out.

Stay tuned for updates.

Link to the Friends of the Monument blog

2008-10-12T16:18:00.001+10:00

Would you like to help spread the word about the Friends of the Monument blog? Just copy and paste the following code into your blog template!

The federal workshops on Saipan are just over one week away! There are ways that you can help to support the monument. Click HERE for more information.

FMI gets Earth Team Volunteer award

2008-05-10T12:21:00.001+10:00

Marites Aquino Castillo, president/chairwomen of the volunteer group known as Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI), and Angelo O'Connor Villagomez were recently presented the Earth Team Volunteer Award and Certificates for their environmental efforts.

Castillo received two awards, one for herself and the other one for the FMI Group's activities.

Villagomez's's genius is as a grass roots organizer, while Castillo's Group, the FMI, provided the muscle and backbone for the Earth Team Volunteer activities with over 6,000 volunteer hours so far in 2008.

Castillo and the FMI Group performed miracles by volunteering to clean up the roads and beaches of Saipan. Their goal is to maintain the environment for the benefit of everyone in the CNMI. Their motto is: “Do it whole heartedly and expect nothing in return except from your self.”

According to Castillo, the FMI group began consistently cleaning up of roads and beaches in June 2006. Since then they have cleaned up Lau Lau Beach every third Sunday of the month, which now amounts to 23 consecutive months of activity.

During these same months on every second Sunday they were also cleaning up ISA Drive Rd. from the Saipan Botanical Gardens to the stoplight Intersection that leads to Northern Marianas Colleges.

The FMI has also worked other weekends beautifying other parts of Saipan.

When asked, “How can your group possibly do this much work?” Castillo replied: “The Friends of the Mariana Islands Earth Team Volunteers get a great feeling of pride for the work they do for the environment of Saipan.”

She cited the help of other individuals and groups who have contributed to FMI's cause. “Thanks to former Rep. Jacinta M. Kaipat, Angelo, and Mr. Ken [Kramer] for their motivation and assistance in helping us keep Saipan beautiful.”

“I hope that people will know, appreciate, and remember that it was and will be the hard work of Friends of the Mariana Islands Earth Team Volunteers that helps make Saipan a cleaner and more beautiful place to live! Let's all work together and keep this island even more beautiful!”

Free grazing workshop for islands' ranchers

2008-04-12T18:09:00.000+10:00

The Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, in cooperation with the three CNMI Soil and Water Conservation Districts, is hosting a free grazing workshop for all interested farmers, ranchers and conservation agencies in the CNMI. Everyone with grazing livestock is encouraged to attend.

The workshop will focus on various aspects of grazing lands management including recommended plants for the best quality livestock forage, pasture planting techniques, weed control options, animal nutrition, soils and other management principles designed to give island cattle and goat ranchers the tools they need to maximize productivity while protecting their animals' health and conserving their natural resources.

Technical expertise for the workshop will be provided by grazing experts from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Presenters for the workshop will include area soil scientist Robert Gavenda from Guam, and state rangeland conservationist from Hawaii, Lori Metz, along with Jeff Repp and Gene Fultz, both grazing land technology specialists from the NRCS West Region Technical Center in Portland, Oregon. Several employees from the local NRCS Field Office on Saipan will also participate and provide local commentary.

A full day of technical advice will be delivered on each island starting with Tinian on Thursday, April 17, then moving to Saipan on Friday, April 18. The workshop on Rota will be held on Monday, April 21.

The workshop will consist of a walking tour and field presentation starting at 8am on an actual working ranch that is currently participating in NRCS conservation programs. In the afternoon, the workshop will continue in a classroom segment until 4:30pm to be held at the Northern Marianas College campus on each island.

Workshop attendees on Tinian will gather at the ranch of Frank Diaz for the morning session. Anyone requiring directions to the location can meet at the DLNR office at 7:30am and follow NRCS staff to the Diaz ranch.

The field portion for the Saipan segment will be held at the ranch of Captain Ernest Torres in the Obyan area. Attendees are asked to gather at the NRCS field office on Beach Road at 7:30am should they need directions to the Torres Ranch. Afternoon classes will be held in Room D-1 of the NMC campus.

Rota attendees will gather at the NMC campus at 7:30am for directions to the field portion which will be held at the ranch of Maria Fujihira, in the Lalayak area. After lunch, the workshop will continue in Room B-2 of the Rota NMC campus. Attendees must arrange their own transportation.

All those interested in attending the free workshop are encouraged to contact the NRCS field office for specific information the day before. Call 236-0888 or 236-0880.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). (USDA)

Final Report Handed Over

2008-03-15T17:48:00.003+10:00

Public Involvement Coordinator Angelo Villagomez (and his dog Oreo) handed over the Coral Reef Awareness in Saipan Final Report to Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Vice President on March 6, 2008.

Villagomez and RC&D Coordinator Ken Kramer have applied for another grant to continue this successful project. For a copy of the report, contact Kramer or download it here.

Final Report Available Online

2008-02-11T22:53:00.000+10:00

My final report for the NFWF Coral Reef Awareness in Saipan project is available on the Marianas RC&D website. The project was a success.

RC&D currently does not have funding to continue this project, but we will be applying for grants in the coming year.

Protect Our Coral Reefs

2007-09-20T09:08:00.000+10:00

Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council recently donated two large Protect Our Coral Reef banners to the library. There are also banners hanging at the USDA office and the RC&D office. We're preparing one for the National Park Service to hang at American Memorial Park.

If you know of a high visibility place to hang one, let me know and I'll see if we can get one to you. The posters read, "What we do on the land can affect our marine environment."

People may not realize this, but our activities on the land affect our coral reefs as much if not more than our activities that take place in the water. Divers, swimmers, crown of thorn starfish, typhoons, bleaching events, and anchors can do a number on coral reefs, but they can and do bounce back after disturbances.

That is not the case if the water is loaded with sediment, pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria, sewage, and other pollutants. When these stressors are present, the reef may not come back after a disturbance.

******

There was another Marianas Dive meeting last night. This time we met up at Porky's. The owner, Bruce Bateman, has agreed to donate 10% of all food & drink sales on nights that we have meetings there.

The meeting last night was led by Mike Tripp.

Mike is the guy with the goofy smile on the left. He's the leader of Marianas Dive. He's Canadian, so we call him the Prime Minister. He is a local diver/retired pharmacist and is the producer of The Underwater World of Saipan.

Before I get into the meeting, this is from the Marianas Dive website:

The Marianas Dive group is dedicated to creating a resource, a world class destination and a community for the purpose of increasing awareness, promoting education, and ensuring the protection of the underwater world of the Marianas Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota) and the unique diving experience it offers.

Mission Statement: Awareness, Education & Protection

The Marianas Dive group is dedicated to creating a resource, a world class destination and a community for the purpose of increasing awareness, promoting education, and ensuring the protection of the underwater world of the Marianas Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota) and the unique diving experience it offers.

A Resource
We shall begin by networking and using the Internet and all promotional tools available to create a Marianas Dive information portal.Ê This information will be amassed and provided to the local and international dive, and scientific communities and be available in the languages of all our target tourist countries.

A World Class Destination
We shall ensure that the Mariana Islands meet or beat the expectations of a being a safe, environmentally friendly, world class dive destination.Ê This includes improving diver safety and reducing environmental impact by assisting with the implementation and maintenance of a proper mooring system, including marker buoys and guide ropes at all popular dive sites. It is also our goal to ensure all divers are environmentally aware of their impact on the reef and marine environment.

A Community
We are, above all else, a community that shares a love of all things underwater. We shall promote fellowship and camaraderie among all divers who enjoy the waters of the Marianas whether full time, during occasional trips or as weekend warriors. We shall meet regularly, organize group dives and social events that allow members to interact, swap stories, discuss ideas and to get to know one another personally. We welcome all regardless of nationality, culture, level or frequency of dive experience.

Seems like a pretty good idea to me, doesn't it?

The meeting itself was pretty short. Mike updated everyone on the progress of the website, pending legislation, finances ,formation of a 501(c)3 and the fun dive, beach cleanup, dive cleanup sponsored by the group.

After the meeting, officials from the Division of Fish & Wildlife came in to go over the DFW rules & regulations. I learned several things last night. I didn't know that you needed a permit to collect shells or to have an aquarium. Any aquarium.

Who knew?

Although we had a few issues with our screen and microphone cord, the presentation went well. The presentation was followed by a question & answer session.

There were a few issues that I thought were confusing. We were told that it is illegal to walk on exposed reef. Does that mean that it is OK to walk on the reef during high tide, but not low tide? We were also told that people are not allowed to walk on Forbidden Island or Bird Island. I didn't see that written anywhere in the regulations, but I'm an idiot, so that could explain why I didn't see them.

Marianas Dive has a discussion board. It is a great place to keep people talking about these ideas. I hope that the DFW officials sign up. Maybe we could start a thread just on regulations?

Overall I thought the meeting and the DFW presentation were very successful. It was well attended. There were local divers, dive shop operators, boat operators, tour operators, and fishermen. Representatives Palacios, Tebuteb, and Waki were also there.

The next meeting of Marianas Dive will be the first Wednesday in October. I don't remember where it will take place. Check there website for info.

Thanks, Ruth

2007-09-01T08:09:00.000+10:00

From On My Mind

- As in 'big oaks from little acorns grow,' the first step in establishing a network of trails in a statewide park system will be taken tomorrow, Saturday. Tom Gipson's Boy Scout troop hopes to earn a merit badge by cleaning up and promoting the trail that goes from the Last Command Post in Marpi up to Suicide Cliff and will make its initial "reconnaissance" of the trail Saturday, starting at 8:45 a.m. Beautify CNMI! and the Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council, with whom the idea for the proposed statewide system originated, will be assisting the project.

Photo Contest Winners

2007-08-27T11:44:00.001+10:00

On Friday night we announced the 10 finalists and the Grand Prize winner of the Photo Contest to raise awareness for the Micronesia Challenge. Here are a few of the top 10:

Leslie Ware won the Grand Prize with his photo of a Fairy Tern flying in front of some Flame Trees. He won a one night stay at Aqua Resort and lunch for two at Grand Hotel.

He also had two other photos chosen as top 10 finalists:

These next two photos were taken by Takahiro Noguchi. If I had been a judge, I would have chosen the picture of the fish as the Grand Prize winner (Sorry, Les).

Laura Williams from Division of Fish & Wildlife submitted this photo of Bikkia tetrandra:

I'm not sure if the judges have a sense of humor or if this is just a coincidence, but Harry Blalock's photo of a hermit crab was chosen as a finalist:

This photo of Yoshimi Yanagasawa and her Mom was also chosen:

Aya Matsumoto had two photos in the top 10:

Here are two of the winning photographers accepting their Beautify CNMI prize packs:

Each Beautify CNMI giftpack includes one of our turtle bags, two t-shirts, several bumper stickers, and a limited edition Beautify CNMI mug.

They are limited edition because I dropped the bag they were in and about 1/4 of them broke.

Oops.

The top 10 finalists and 10 Honorable Mentions were on display at our event at the Grand Hotel on Friday.

After the announcement of the winners we had a public forum hosted by Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council (that's me). Over 30 people participated, including several public school teachers. Dr. Peter Houk, Biologist from Division of Environmental Quality, and Greg Moretti, Marine Protected Area Specialist from NOAA, presented on some of the work they are doing concerning the Micronesia Challenge.

Afterwards we had a long question & answer session.

The event was a success.

Thank you, Aqua Resort, Grand Hotel,and Marianas RC&D for providing prizes!

Thank you, Grand Hotel for hosting the event!

Thank you, Marianas RC&D for paying!

Laly 4 Cleanup

2007-08-27T11:42:00.000+10:00

Why is the Beach in Chalan Kanoa called Laly 4? Does anyone know where Laly 1, 2, and 3 are located?

Well, whatever the reason, on Saturday morning 20 Hopwood Junior High School Students, 1 LISS student, two teachers, two dogs, and one soccer playing tree hugger cleaned it from Hopwood Junior High School to Sugar Dock.

Most of the litter was trash left over from picnics. We did not find any illegal dumping (this time) and not much washes up on the beach here.

If people would just learn to pick up after themselves we could have a nice clean beach. The adults on this island are lucky that their children are willing to pick up after them.

Thank you, Student Action for a Viable Environment!

Beautify CNMI Mailing List

2007-08-27T10:14:00.001+10:00

Are you on the Beautify CNMI mailing list?

Every Monday morning I send out a summary of the weekend's activites. On Thursdays I send out the upcoming weekend's activities. If there is a meeting on a particular day, I send out a meeting reminder.

If you are not on the list and you would like to be, please email Angelo at angelovillagomez at gmail dot com.

Here is my update from this morning:

Good Monday Morning,

We had several successful events over the weekend.

On Friday, we announced the winners of the Photo Contest to raise awareness of the Micronesia Challenge and over 30 people participated in a public forum discussing Marine Protected Areas and Coral Reefs. On Saturday, the members of the Student Action for a Viable Environment clubs cleaned up the beach in Chalan Kanoa and one of the pocket beaches in Dandan. On Sunday, Friends of the Mariana Islands cleaned up Dandan Road. The Lion's Club was also out this weekend cleaning up their adopted spot along Beach Road (sorry, I forgot if that was Saturday or Sunday).

There will be a Parks & Trails meeting this Thursday at 1 PM. The meeting is in the USDA Conference Room, on the first floor of the DY Buidling in Garapan on Beach Road. If you have questions, please contact Ken Kramer, RC&D Coordinator, at 236-0893.

This Saturday we should be planting the last of our Flame Trees...I just don't know where yet.

This Sunday we will be in the Garapan Tourist District. Our cleanup meets at the AMP Parking lot and begins at 8 AM.

Have a great week!

Angelo

Carnival of the Blue III

2007-08-06T19:39:00.001+10:00

A post on my personal blog was included in Carnival of the Blue III, hosted on Rick MacPherson's blog Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, and Sunsets. Carnival of the Blue is a roundup of a month's worth of the best ocean blogging on the Internet.

The Saipan Blog will host Carnival of the Blue IV on September 3. I am currently looking for contributors. Please publish your post and email me the link at angelovillagomez at g mail dot com. Once I publish the carnival, all you have to do in return is to add a link to it in a post on your blog. It is a great way to build traffic and connect with other bloggers interested in ocean issues.

Micronesia Challenge Photo Contest

2007-08-03T15:33:00.000+10:00

Micronesia Challenge Photo Contest

In 2006, Governor Benigno Fitial joined the leaders of Palau, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to sign the Declaration of Commitment to the Micronesia Challenge. He pledged that the CNMI would work "to effectively conserve 30% of our near shore resources and 20% of our forest resources by 2020."

A CNMI Outreach & Education Committee is charged with publicly promoting the goals and activities of the Micronesia Challenge. Composed of representatives from government, environmental non-profits, and other members of the community, the Committee is seeking photographs to use in outreach materials.

In order to obtain as wide a variety of high quality photos as possible about the CNMI, the Committee hereby announces the “Micronesia Challenge Photo Contest”.

Rules:

•Photos must relate to the Micronesia Challenge and must be taken within the CNMI.

•Photos can be professional or amateur. The content of the photos is up to the artist.

•Photos can be underwater, terrestrial, or aerial, can be natural and/or include wildlife, flora, or different types of people such as children, locals, and tourists in different settings. Other possible photos can show the effects on the environment of poor management and good management practices.

•Suggested themes from past and present campaigns that may help the artist come up with ideas include:

1.What we do on the land can affect our marine environment
2.More Fish, Less Pollution
3.Let Our Islands Shine
4.Our Environment: Our Health, Our Future.

•Photos must be digital and emailed to angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

•Each artist is allowed to submit up to 10 photos.

•Photos become the property of the Micronesia Challenge Outreach and Education Committee.

•The best photos will be showcased on a website with appropriate photo credit give to the contributing artist.

Prizes are yet to be announced, but the top 10 artists will receive a Beautify CNMI gift pack.

Contest ends August 20th at 5 PM, followed by the announcement of the winners August 24th at a Happy Hour Panel Discussion with government and non-government officials involved with the implementation of the Challenge. If you have any questions, please contact Angelo Villagomez at 483-1078.

Why are they dumping sand, again?

2007-08-02T15:02:00.001+10:00

They were dumping sand right in front of the office with supervision from somebody at CRM. This is known as renourishment; however, by killing the grass, they make the beach erosion many times worse during the next storm event.

My preference for a solution might be:

"More intriguing, he says, is a submerged breakwater, which offer many of the same benefits, without besmirching the horizon with rock piles. In essence, a submerged breakwater acts as a coral reef, causing the waves to break before reaching shore. However, Dalrymple says the details of how and where to build them have yet to be worked out. . . ...)."

From: Why Files

Also see: Seafriends and Florida Beach Management Plan

This leads to the question: Do we have a plan for beach restoration? or just add sand every year? Kill the grass and vegetation and create more of a problem than existed before.

Florida has a beach management program.

What is Beautify CNMI?

2007-07-19T16:54:00.001+10:00

A lot of us who volunteer for Beautify CNMI take for granted that the world understands what it is that we are. This video should help explain.

36 Flame Trees Planted in Koblerville

2007-07-16T16:55:00.000+10:00

Beautify CNMI has several long term goals. We want to promote Ecotourism in the CNMI (there is currently no Ecotourism here), we want to restore and promote many of our historical landmarks (i.e. the Japanese Jail and the Lighthouse) as tourist/historical sites, we want to reduce illegal dumping and littering, and we want to create an interconnected system of parks and trails.

One of those parks is going to be located on top of the old airstrip in Koblerville, currently the site of the Koberville Youth Center and Substation.

We started work on this project last year. We took an overgrown old abandoned airstrip littered with trash and grafitti and simply started cleaning.

We mowed the grass. We got rid of the weeds. We painted over the grafitti.

We've kept this up for almost a year.

Last month, with the involvement of several government entities, we helped open up the Koblerville Youth Center. For almost a month now, we've participated in Family Fun Night, held at the Youth Center every Friday night for the residents of Koblerville.

Little by little, we are getting people to use the park and we are continuously improving it.

Yesterday morning we planted 36 Flame Trees along the street. They are small now, but in a year they will be over 10 feet tall. In three years they will be tall enough to provide shade.

About six months ago I asked one of the Mariana Island Nature Alliance members, Brad Doerr, to start growing Flame Trees. I told him that I didn't have money to pay him then, but by the time they were tall enough to plant, I would.

I came up with an Adopt-a-Flame tree program. For $20 via cash, check or paypal, anyone in the world could purchase a Flame Tree. I promised the adoptee a certificate and a picture of their tree posted on the Internet along with the GPS coordinates of their tree.

I use the money to purchase the trees, soil, flagging tape, shovels, and whatever else we need to get the trees planted. Then I recruit volunteers to help me plant the trees and invite the people who adopted the trees to tag along.

Yesterday I had help from Ken Kramer, his mom, his wife and two kids, Missy and Jim Highfill and their kid, Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Gus Kaipat and his 30-40 nephews, Marites Castillo and the Friends of the Mariana Islands, Captain Carl and his two shipmates, Neta and Flurina, Brad Doerr, and Laura Williams and her son Caleb.

All it took for us to get these 36 trees planted were 26 tree planting volunteers (including myself), a little pre-planning on my part to ensure that we would have Flame Trees to plant during the rainy season (coordinating with Brad), and 36 generous donors to spend $20 to adopt a Flame Tree. In getting the trees adopted, we also had help from everyone who helped us man our booth at the Flame Tree Arts Festival back in April and MINA, which takes care of Beautify CNMI's finances.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that planting these 36 trees was a community effort. Probably well over 100 people had a hand in coordinating the planting, from making sure that we had trees, shovels, soil, finances, water, snacks for volunteers, to getting people to adopt the trees, to actually planting the trees, and so on and so on.

Thanks to every single one of you who helped out. These 36 trees are a significant contribution to the community of Koblerville. In 5 years, we'll all be able to say that we had a hand in providing shade, beauty, and cooler temperatures to the residents of Koblerville.

One last thing, Cinta told me to get in the group picture, so I did this:

Environmental Camp wrapup in the Variety

2007-07-02T16:56:00.000+10:00

Members of the press attending our Flame Tree planting on Friday morning. This article appeared in the Marianas Variety today. The print edition had a picture of the students, but does not appear on the online edition.

Summer camp student eyes career in environmental protection
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

AT least one of the 15 middle school students who participated in the summer camp last week will pursue environmental protection as a career when she graduates from high school.

Sami Birmingham Babauta, 13, who will be with Hopwood Junior High School in the coming school year, is vice president of the Students Action for Viable Environment.
According to counselor Doug Reynolds, Babauta has decided to pursue a career in natural resource conservation.

Babauta, during the final day of the summer camp sponsored by the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, said the activity aims to educate the youth “about the importance of every effort to protect the environment.”

The students planted flame trees at American Memorial Park before they went to Managaha on Friday afternoon.

They spend the final day of their camp on Managaha Island where they get to learn more about marine life resources.

Babauta added that since camp started on June 25, presenters from MINA, Coastal Resource Management and the Division of Fish and Wildlife discussed with them the importance of tree planting, coral reefs and wet lands.

They also learned about traditional fishing methods and how wastewater is treated at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s wastewater treatment plant and the Division of Environmental Quality’s laboratories.

CRM natural resource planner Kathy Yuknavage told them about the Micronesia Challenge which aims to conserve 30 percent of the region’s near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by year 2020.

After the summer camp, which she said gave them a great learning experience, Babauta will have an internship with Beautify CNMI! and plans to hold club meetings at school.

Hopwood science teacher Bree Reynolds said the children had fun while getting hands-on training on a lot of things related to environmental protection.

Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council’s Angelo Villagomez said they ended the summer camp with barbecue on Managaha.

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Last Day

2007-07-02T15:58:00.000+10:00

On Satuday we woke up before the sunrise, went for a swim and fed the kids s'mores and hot dogs for breakfast.

I also crushed Sami's head:

We took the 10:30 AM ferry back to Saipan. It was a great camp, guys! See you next year!

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Day 5

2007-07-02T14:59:00.000+10:00

I wrote in my previous post that Thursday was our longest day. Well, we had the kids from 9 AM on Friday until about 12 PM on Saturday, so I guess the final day was our longest day.

And, oh man, was it a long day. I got back to my house at about noon, took a shower, washing my hair about 8 times to get all the sand out, and went to bed. I felt like I had run a marathon. I got up in time to meet Mayumi and the students from Marianas High School National Honor Society for a cleanup of Micro Beach...but only barely.

But enough about my whining.

Friday's activities started at American Memorial Park. The students were transported from Hopwood to AMP in a bus provided by Tasi Tours. Again, thank you a million times, Tasi Tours. Since I live in Garapan, I just met up with them at about 9:45 at the Park.

We met Ranger Nancy at the Park Museum. She gave the kids time to go through the World War II exhibit, then signed them in for the days activities, and gave them a short talk on National Parks and safety.

When I was college I had a professor, Dr. Barry Allen, who posed the following question during one of our lectures, "Who owns the National Parks?" The other students ventured guesses like the Federal Government, the Department of the Interior, and the National Parks Service, to which Dr. Allen pointed directly at a student and said, "No, YOU own the National Parks."

Whoa.

That stuck with me. Ranger Nancy told the kids pretty much the same thing. She told us how lucky we were to have a National Park on Saipan and she explained that is was Our responsibility to take care of Our National Park.

Ranger Nancy took the students through a short walking tour of the Park, leading them towards the site of our tree planting, where we were met by Representative Cinta Kaipat.

I invited Cinta to participate in our tree planting and to talk to the kids about the creation of Beautify CNMI. In introducing Cinta to the kids, I told them that although Cinta was a lawyer and a lawmaker, she had chosen to make the Environment the central focus of her public service to the CNMI. I want the kids to understand that there are many ways to work the environment into your career. Maybe someday the CNMI will even have an environmentalist governor. Maybe.

After her talk, the students presented Cinta with their models of coral reefs. Cinta is going to display them up on Capital Hill for a few weeks...but then she has to give them to Ranger Nancy so that they can be displayed at American Memorial Park.

Then it was time to plant trees! Earlier in the week, Brad Doerr came into camp to teach the kids about tree care and propagation. He came to camp again to help the kids plant six Flame Trees. Thanks, Brad!

Ranger Nancy told us where she wanted the trees planted, then with help from Brad and Rep. Kaipat's staff, we broke up into six groups and dug our holes.

After all of the holes were dug, Brad and I helped each of the groups plant their Flame Tree.

It was time for lunch by the time we finished planting our trees, so we all walked back to the AMP museum and made sandwiches. A big thank you to Boni Gomez for dropping off lunch supplies!

Today was going to be a really long day, so we gave the kids most of the afternoon to relax. Our ferry to Managaha didn't leave until 3:30. We needed the kids to be awake for our night time activities. In hindsight, we should have made the kids run a few laps to tire them out. Oh well, live and learn.

Tasi Tours transported us from AMP to the dock and from the dock to Managaha, the small island a few kilometers North of Garapan. When we arrived we set up camp and got ready for a fun night.

Once camp was set up we let the kids run free for a while. They played beach volleyball (or at least tried) and went swimming. While I watched the kids, Bree got the fire going for our delicious dinner of hot dogs and vegetables...and beef jerky, chips, cookies, soda, and candy.

(note to self: next time we do this camp, don't allow the kids to bring sugar)
We couldn't have picked a better night to have a campout. The weather was perfect and the view was stunning.

Aren't we lucky to live here? Some people on Saipan don't realize what we have. For some of the kids, this was their first trip to Managaha. It was also the first time camping for a few.

After the sun set we got the fire roaring again so that we could make s'mores. Bree had to go to three different stores before she found any marshmallows. We told the kids that they could have as many as they wanted, as long as they didn't throw up.

Then, of course, no camping trip would be complete without a giant teddy bear and a ukulele:

The kids did some learning, too. We had an activity where we looked for zooplankton and phytoplankton and we talked about the shearwaters (a bird species) that nest on Managaha. In my opinion, though, the best lesson the kids learned is how much fun and how beautiful places like Managaha can be. I mentioned before that some of the kids were visiting Managaha for the first time. How else can we get kids to be interested in protected places if we don't get them to visit protected places?

Although I hope that these kids remember the difference between phytoplankton and zooplankton and why both are important, I think it is more important that these kids take home a love for the outdoors, camping, snorkeling, Managaha, Saipan, and the CNMI. One day these kids are going to join the military or go off to college, they'll be in Baghdad or Los Angeles, and they're going to remember the island where they were born...then they'll really appreciate what we have.

One day they'll return and they'll understand the importance of protecting our Natural Resources. They'll want Saipan to stay Saipan and not become Guam or Oahu.

(steps off soapbox)

Or at least they'll remember how much fun it was getting buried in the sand:

Bree wrote about the weeklong camp on her blog, Land of the Ayuyu.

Mylene also wrote about our trip to American Memorial Park and to Managaha. Hope also wrote about Managaha. Sami hasn't written anything about the camp. Come on, Sami, start writing!

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Day 4

2007-06-30T17:01:00.000+10:00

The last three days of the Beautify CNMI Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp flew by. As I type this on Saturday evening, I can't believe that it is over. Oh well, coming from a life long Boston Red Sox fan, there's always next year...and the students are already asking us to make it two weeks, instead of just one week, long.

We'll see about that.

Thursday ending up being our longest day. The day started at 7 AM. Two of the students, Bree, and I appeared on the Harry Blalock Island Issues radio program to talk about our camp. We were on the show for about 20 minutes and Harry grilled the two students, Sami and Zoe, about the things they have learned this week. He also helped us record environmental public service announcments after our interview.

Harry was so impressed by the girls and the other campers that he wrote about them on his blog and on his weekly radio commentary, Food For Thought:

Then I also wanted to spend a little time talking about a group of bright young students Angelo Villagomez and Bree Reynolds brought in to my studio Thursday morning. They are part of the Beautify CNMI Marianas Challenge Summer Camp, being put on by Angelo and Bree. These students really are learning about our environment, and what they can do to help protect it. I made sure they've learned something by grilling them with questions on Island Issues. Sami and Zoe totally impressed me with what they've learned and their passion about it. The only thing that caused me any concern at all was that Sami was just way too relaxed and good on the radio. I'm afraid she could replace me in a heartbeat if she wanted to, my only consolation is that she's just going in to the 9th grade this coming year, so my job is probably safe for a couple years anyway.

Part of what they did in this camp was to write public service announcements from what they have learned to air on the radio stations. Some of them even wrote an original song about beautifying the CNMI, they wrote the words and music. They came in with their ukelele and recorded the song in my production studio. I've got to say, I absolutely love it! You'll be hearing a lot of that song and those psa's in the coming months on both of our radio stations. What a talented group of students, and something tells me these are our leaders of tomorrow. If you'd like to see some of the pictures from their summer camp, and learn what it was all about, you can go to the www.greencnmi.blogspot.com website and read all about it. Tasi Tours deserves a big thank you for donating a van and driver to help transport the campers all week to their various places. And after hearing from the students on the air, Ed Salas of Tan Holdings Corporation called up donating Shirleys lunch for all the campers that day. They had talked about how the camp was being run on a shoestring budget and they were just making do with whatever they had, so Ed called up on behalf of Tan Holdings to give them a break from peanut butter or bologna for lunch. Many thanks go out to all the various people in the community who chip in to make amazing events like this happen. And while you could technically say this was job related for Angelo, Bree is a science teacher at Hopwood Junior High School, and is supposed to be on summer vacation right now. But she loves what she's doing so much, and loves the students so much, that she donated her time to help put on this summer camp.

I think I can forgive him for calling the Micronesia Challenge the Marianas Challenge.

After several hours at the radio station we returned to Hopwood to finish up work on the coral reef models and the wastewater science projects, which led right into lunch provided by Shirley's Coffee Shop and Tan Holdings. We also worked out some of the logistics for Friday's field trips to American Memorial Park and Managaha.

After lunch we had about 30 minutes before we left for our afternoon field trip, so Bree had the students play a couple of games based on communicable diseases.

In the first game they were given a series of clues and a map of a city suffering from disease outbreaks. Using the clues, they had to determine what disease people were contracting, how the disease was being spread (water borne, etc.), and the source of the disease (the water pump on Broad Street, etc.).

Then Tasi Tours picked us up at 1:30 and took us to the CUC Waste Water Treatment plant in Sadog Tasi...or as I like to call it, Wave Jungle II.

Our tour of the facility started in the lab. Heidi showed the students the lab and showed them how they check for bacteria in the water.

We also asked Heidi to talk about becoming a lab chemist for a career. She told the students that they had to be good at Math.

After letting use a microscope and showing us the different ways that CUC tests the effluent water, Heidi took us to the Brown Jacuzzi.

Ew. This is where CUC "cleans" the water. Using a process that I would only screw up if I tried to explain, CUC gets rid of all the solids and then dump the remaining liquids into the lagoon. Yum!

While we were contemplating joining the "Swim Club," some other CUC employees joined us. This led to one of the best moments of the camp.

Heidi asked one of the guys if there was anything he wanted to tell the kids. Without hesitation he responded, "well, kids, please don't flush your underwear down the toilet. You wouldn't believe the kinds of things we find: Shoes, underwear, even cellphones."

I'm probably going to repeat that story for the next five years.

Mylene wrote about Day 4 on her blog, Mylene Rocks.

I've got pictures and stories from Friday and Saturday morning, but I haven't uploaded the pictures yet. Come back tomorrow for an update. If the post isn't up by tomorrow, just keep waiting.

Student PSAs

2007-06-29T17:03:00.000+10:00

Bree, Sami, Zoe, and I appeared on the Harry Blalock Island Issues show yesterday morning. We talked about the camp and what we've been doing all week. The girls did a great job on the show. They impressed Harry so much, that he even wrote about them on his blog.

After the show we recorded the PSAs that the kids have been working on all week. All of the PSAs were written and performed by the kids. The music and the lyrics for the song are original, too. Check 'em out:

Mylene and Sami: Pick That Up!

Mylene and Sami: Walk It, Don't Drive It

Rose, Ann, Hope, and Zoe: Beautify CNMI Song

Mark, Litcelle, Craig, and Tristan: Protect the Turtles

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Day 3

2007-06-28T17:05:00.000+10:00

This morning we were visited by Marja and Tony from Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Brown Tree Snake Program. They gave a power presentation on the history and current operations of the Brown Tree Snake Program in the CNMI.

They also brought two snake dogs.

Mina is a two year old pit bull/Labrador mix. During a demonstration, Mina was able to find a snake hidden in a bucket…twice!

Jack is a Jack Russell Terrier. The students hid a snake in a bag in the classroom and Jack was able to find it in seconds.

The kids were able to hold the snake...and so did I:

Tony and Marja worked with the kids for over two hours. Thank you so much, Tony and Marja! The students really appreciated the time you spent with them.

After the snake team left we worked on our environmental PSAs.

PSA time led right into lunch...Baloney and mayo sandwiches! Yum!

After lunch, using a microscope, the students drew models of the different parts of a plant cell, talking about the differences between a plant cell and an animal cell.

They looked at plant cells under a microscope and drew sketches of what they saw.

Then the kids worked on a coral reef project. Using card board, paper, clay, rocks, beans, and pasta they created a model of a coral reef. Here is the metamorphosis from simple classroom supplies to coral reef model:

Pretty good, huh? This is a fringing reef. The other two groups did a coral atoll and a barrier reef.

Then as a preview to our Wastewater Treatment Plant field trip scheduled for Thursday, we did a waste water experiment where we gave the students sand, baking soda, vinegar, cotton, coffee filters, and paper towels. We gave them wastewater made from peanut butter, soy sauce, coffee, onions, leaves, beans, and another assorted fun things. The students had to return the pH of the water to 7 and take out all of the coloring until it was clear.

Here are some of the simple tools we gave the students to clean the wastewater:

We didn't tell the kids how to clean the water; they had to figure it out on thier own. They figured out that they should use a funnel to clean the water:

The day ended before we finished this experiment, so we put everything aside to finish the next day.

Finally, Mylene and Hope both wrote about Day 3 on their personal blogs. Keep up the blogging, girls!

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Day 2

2007-06-28T16:06:00.000+10:00

Day 2 of the Beautify CNMI Micronesia Challenge Camp was spent at the Traditional Fishing Workshop held at the Pacific Islands Club. The day long workshop was reported on by the Marianas Variety:

Workshop discusses traditional fishing
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THREE local fishermen discussed traditional fishing methods during a workshop at the Pacific Islands Club yesterday.

The workshop, spearheaded by the Children of Our Homeland Center, aims to educate the public on traditional fishing techniques which, according to assistant project coordinator Anicia Q. Tomokane, not only help conserve marine resources but also promote the local people’s cultural identity.

Funded by a grant from the Administration for Native Americans, the whole-day workshop was also sponsored by Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.

Traditional fishing, according to one of the presenters, Stan M. Taisacan, is something that has not been practiced for the past 40 years.

Taisacan, who represents Rota on the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture board of directors, discussed the “achuman technique” of gathering fish.

It is done with a use of poiu, a device made of stone and coconut shell, and young coconut meat as bait.

“This one is better in conserving marine resources because with this method, you will get only what you need,” he said.

And it is not difficult to catch fish when one masters the technique, he said.
Lino Olopai, a Carolinian culture lecturer, shared his knowledge on traditional fish traps.

He demonstrated the use of ull wall osch, a woven fish trap used for general reef fish; the breadfruit leaf kite used to catch “needlefish without the use of a metal hook; and the use of coconut shell with line and bait to catch flying fish.

Artist, Chamorro historian researcher and lecturer, and experimental archeologist, Noel B. Quitugua, discussed traditional tools and fishing implements.

Jack Ogumoro, the CNMI coordinator of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, acted as moderator in the workshop.

He said they are now trying not only to talk about traditional fishing but also practicing it.

Traditional fishing should now be incorporated into modern management tools for the conservation and protection of marine resources, he said.

Traditional fishing techniques, he added, “are based on responsible fishing. They promote respect for the ocean.”

Dr. Teny Topalian, coral reef ecologist of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration’s Pacific Island Regional Office, discussed how traditional fishing techniques help promote the preservation of marine biodiversity and cultural diversity.

Ann Asis Tores, a young participant from Hopwood Junior High School, described the workshop as “fascinating.”

I didn't take many pictures at the workshop, so this is going to be the boring post. I do have one picture of all the participants though:

Mylene also talked about Day 2 on her blog, Mylene Rocks.

Thanks to our sponsors!

2007-06-28T15:09:00.000+10:00

I have to give a huge thank you to the businesses that supported the Beautify CNMI Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp. Tasi Tours offered to drive the students around to our different field trips all week FREE OF CHARGE. PSS does not have money to pay for gas, so we were extremely lucky that they are so generous.

Thank you, Tasi Tours!

We also owe a huge thank you to Ed Salas and Tan Holdings. Mr. Salas heard us on the Harry Blalock Island Issues radio show this morning talking about how we are running the camp on a shoe string budget. On Monday we had P&J sandwiches for lunch, on Tuesday we had the dollar menu at McDonalds, on Wednesday we had baloney and mayo, and due to Tan Holdings generosity, we feasted on Shirley's today.

Tan Holdings gave us $100 worth of food!

Thank you, Tan Holdings! Go visit Shirley's at the Thursday Street Market and at the Liberation Day Carnival. Thank them for me!

Students' Perspectives

2007-06-28T14:12:00.000+10:00

Mylene and Hope have written about the Beautify CNMI Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp on their blogs.

Mylene wrote about Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 and Hope wrote about Day 3, which was her first day at the camp.

I have already posted a report for Day 1. Reports for the rest of the week are forthcoming.

Micronesia Challenge Summer Camp, Day 1

2007-06-27T17:13:00.000+10:00

The goals of the Beautify CNMI Micronesia Summer Camp are to introduce kids to conservation issues, the Micronesia Challenge, and environmental careers.

We had a very successful Day 1.

Kathy Yuknavage, Natural Resource Planner at CRM and MINA Secretary, helped us kick off the week long camp by making a presentation on the terrestrial portion of the Micronesia Challenge. She talked to the students about the 20%, how much land the CNMI already has in protected areas, and how much of that land is in forested areas.

She also made a presentation on the Walk It, Don’t Drive It Campaign. The students learned about the different reasons not to D.R.I.VE. on the beach: Driving on the beach Drips oil, creates Ruts, Impacts the sand, and kills Vegetation.

After the presentations by Kathy we did an energizer/ice breaker. We played boffer tag.

Our first activity was an experiment to determine how many germs are on our hands when we eat. We took a slice of bread and had someone handle it who hadn’t washed their hands. We put the bread slice in a zip lock bag and put it aside. We repeated this with slices of bread that had been handled by someone who had washed their hands with water only, who had washed their hands with soap and water, and who had washed their hands with hand sanitizer only. We also repeated the experiment with someone who had used soap & water, but who had only lathered for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, and three minutes.

We'll take a look at them again on Friday.

We are going to record some environmental PSAs for the local radio station on Thursday. We gave the kids some time to start writing them. Some of the students are writing scripts, some are writing songs, and others just wrote first person dialogues.

Then we used a chemistry kit that taught the kids about the scientific method. It came with known and unknown chemical liquids that when mixed, changed color. The students mixed the known liquids and made observations of the changes. Then using those results, they tried to determine the content of the unknown liquids.

In typical Beautify CNMI fashion, lunch was provided on a shoestring budget. We fed the kids P&J sandwiches, apples, and water.

After lunch, Brad Doerr, a MINA member and local retiree, came in to talk to the students about tree care & propagation. He brought in different samples of soil, showing them the difference between sand, clay, limestone, and organic soil. He showed the kids how to plant a seed, showing them how seeds can be many different sizes. He also brought in some month old Flame Tree saplings and showed the students how to transfer trees from a smaller pot to a larger one.

He also showed them how he uses organic waste to create compost at his house in As Matuis.

After lunch we had a few more energizers (stolen from the clubmates at PIC) and then did a project on watershed pollution. Bree laid out four large sheets of white paper and then drew a non-linear line down the length of the paper, separating what would eventually be land and water.

She broke the students into four groups and had them paint on the ocean and the land, painting in the type of development they would like to see on the land. The students drew houses, agriculture, roads, hotels, ponding basins (!), pastures, and even a horse farm.

When they were finished we put the four posters back together and discussed how the different types of development would affect the marine environment and how one poster would affect the others. The kids were able to identify that the agriculture would result in pesticides and fertilizers running into the water, that the roads would result in erosion and increased runoff, and so on and so on.

Mylene also wrote about Day 1 on her blog, Mylene Rocks.

First Tree Planting of 2007!

2007-06-18T10:46:00.000+10:00

On Saturday, June 16, 2007, Boy Scouts attending the District Boy Scout Camp at Obyan Beach helped plant 115 coconuts along the shores of Obyan Beach.

When people from cold places come to warm places like Saipan, they expect to see palm trees, especially on the beach. This planting will ensure that 10-20 years from now, Obyan Beach will continue to have coconuts. The boys who participated will be able to tell their kids that they helped plant some of the coconuts that they will undoubtably sit under sometime in the future.

The coconuts will also do their part to hold the sand and soil in place. This is a closeup of the roots of a fallen coconut tree:

Can you see the rocks being held by the roots even after the tree has fallen? While 115 trees will never be able to stop erosion on their own, they will do their part to hold some of the sand and soil in place.

CNMI Forestry is currently propagating native vegetation to be planted at Obyan Beach. Funding for the trees came from a US Fish & Wildlife Service grant obtained by Mariana Islands Nature Alliance. As soon as USDA NRCS comes up with a planting plan, the Beautify CNMI coalition will help coordinate a planting.

RC&D in the News

2007-06-04T01:16:00.000+10:00

Marianas Variety, Monday, June 4, 2007

Turtle conservation advocates seek community’s support
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

A NEW group advocating the conservation of turtles will use videos of the threatened species in order to get support from the community, according to one of the advocates.

The group called Marianas Turtle Conservation Program —Meeting the Micronesia Challenge met on Friday at the Aqua Resort Club.

Three speakers discussed the threats faced by green sea turtles. They are Marianas Island Natures Alliance executive director Angelo Villagomez, Coastal Resource Management natural resource planner, Kathy Yuknavage, and Division of Fish and Wildlife turtle protection unit chief, Joe Ruak.

Villagomez in an telephone interview yesterday said those who attended the meeting have agreed to make underwater videos of turtles and the DFW’s conservation activities.

The group’s video project may be funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Villagomez said.

He added that they plan to submit grant applications for their programs.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio De la Cruz earlier said that the business sector, particularly hotel owners, should be involved in protecting the turtles.

He said there are certain conditions at hotel beachfronts that adversely affect the turtles. Too bright lights for example scare away the turtles, he said.

Hotel personnel also need to get informed about the turtles’ behavior, Dela Cruz said.
He added that the hawksbill turtle is now an endangered species, while the green sea turtle is a threatened species.

This meeting was hosted by Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council. We passed out Restoration Committee T-shirts along with our new bumper stickers and canvass bags.

Marine Debris

2007-06-01T15:07:00.001+10:00

What we do on the land can affect our marine environment. When we litter, a lot of our junk ends up in the ocean. Local diver Harry Blalock has started compiling pictures of trash that he finds at Saipan's local dive sites.

Click HERE to see the pictures.

Do I need to explain why this is a serious problem? I guess so. I'll do it in a later post.

Coming soon to an RC&D near you!

2007-05-25T21:16:00.000+10:00

Part of my NFWF grant pays for publicity materials. We finally got around to ordering them this week. They should be ready next week.

We are purchasing 170 canvass bags that look like this:

Our slogan this year has been, "what we do on the land can affect our marine environment." These bags will help people understand how garbage, litter, and recycling affect our coral reef ecosystems, especially our turtle populations.

We are also ordering 650 bumper stickers and a 10' x 4' banner that look like this:

The bumper stickers will do the same thing...plus they are pretty.

Laulau Revegetation Site Visit

2007-05-22T18:56:00.001+10:00

No burns so far this year...sort of. That makes me feel like this:

Happy.

When I say sort of, I mean that the reveg project hasn't burned. Someone just used slash and burn to clear the land just north of the project.

The project itself is surviving. It is really hot and really dry. I honestly don't know how any of the trees have survived the dry season.

We'll be back up here in about two months to plant over 1000 new saplings. The fill kill tree seeds have done really well, I'm sure we'll be broadcasting a lot of them, too. In the meantime, PLEASE don't burn this hillside!

Do it for the children!

2007-05-22T17:24:00.001+10:00

Today was my third day in a row working with school kids. Last Friday I was at Saipan Southern High School for all but one period, yesterday I went down to Laulau with San Vicente Elementary, and this morning I was in Kagman with Hopwood Junior High School.

The teachers wanted to take the kids on an educational field trip, so they contacted me to see if they could arrange a visit to the Kagman Educational Island.

I'm not 100% on all of the details, but the Educational Island is a part of the USDA irrigation project in Kagman. It is usually locked, but can be opened for school sponsored field trips. It has a natural area, a constructed wetland, a system of trails, fruit trees, and some historical artifacts.

It makes for a great field trip location, from elementary up to graduate level work.

Bree gave me about five minutes to give my "What we do on the land can affect our marine environment" spiel. Then I let the kids run loose in the jungle.

With the kids off running around, I, um, mean, learning on their own, Ken and I explored the trails a bit. Here we are having a bit of fun:

I'm so cool.

Ken is checking out the bamboo fence. He decided that we need to paint it...Ken, don't we have enough work already?

That is Sami and this is a luzon. A luzon is a large mortar and pestle (sans pestle) used by the ancient Chamorros to grind stuff up. There are three of them at the Educational Island.

There are also some bridges crossing over the channel connecting one constructed wetland to the next. It is the end of the dry season, so there is no rain. If I took this picture in a few months, I'd be standing in two feet of water.

After we visited the Educational Island we went down Tank Beach to finish our lesson and to have a beach cleanup. The USDA funded irrigation project drains into Tank Beach. It is still the dry season, so there was no draining to be seen today.

There was, however, plenty of trash. If you ever want to have a cleanup, many hands make light work. Here are some of the kids about half way through our cleanup:

Even Ken and I got in on the action. Well, I actually didn't pick up any trash; I just helped some of the girls carry their bags.

Bree Reynolds deserves a lot of the credit for putting together this great field trip. Here we are sporting our new Coral Reef Alliance shirts:

Thanks Coral Reef Alliance! Those blue bags contain 1350 lbs of marine debris.

Earth Team Volunteers Only!

2007-05-21T23:05:00.000+10:00

RC&D just placed an order for 170 canvass shopping bags. Want one? You have to be an Earth Team Volunteer...and then you have to volunteer...three times. The canvass bags will be ready next week.

One side has the Beautify CNMI logo. The other side has a big turtle and the text:

www.beautifycnmi.com
Protect Our Coral Reefs
"What we do on the land
can affect our marine environment"
Plastic Kills!
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Contact RC&D at 236-0893 to become an Earth Team volunteer today!

Beach Road Flame Trees

2007-05-21T19:26:00.000+10:00

Those 22 Flame Trees that we planted on Beach Road last year are doing pretty well...well, except for the ones that died. That's expected, though, I guess. About seven of them were killed. Some of the ones that lived though are pretty tall.

Ken is 6'3". That tree has gone from a little two foot sapling to over 10 feet. Woot!

As for the ones that died, it may have been cars or salt spray, but my guess is that the bushcutters belonging to Parks & Recreation did it. Check out this damage on some of the surviving trees caused by bushcutters:

We've learned that we're not going to change the behavior of the guys using the bushcutters, so we're going to have to be smarter.

Tomorrow afternoon, Ken and I are going to put mulch around the base of the surviving trees. When we plant the 76 Flame Trees that have been adopted under our Adopt-a-Flame Tree program, we are going to mulch those trees, too.

Live and Learn. The rest of our trees are going to look like this:

Lastest Laulau Cleanup

2007-05-21T12:17:00.000+10:00

This morning over 100 6th graders from San Vicente Elementary helped us clean up the the south end of Laulau Beach. They were chaperoned by their teachers and volunteers from Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, MINA, Rep. Kaipat's Office and Friends of the Mariana Islands.

Rainy days are here again

2007-05-15T10:44:00.000+10:00

...at least this week.

Today is another rainy day. We've had over three months with almost no rain, so the Laulau Revegeation project should be getting a much needed thirst quencher.

We are going to bring three busloads of Hopwood Junior High School students up to the revegeation site next Tuesday. I hope that we can go another week without burning.

After we take the kids to the reveg site, we are going to take them to the USDA Education Island, and then to Tank and/or Marine Beach for a Marine Debris Removal Event (a.k.a. a beach cleanup).

EPA Award

2007-05-15T07:25:00.000+10:00

Beautify CNMI was presented with an Environmental Award by EPA Region 9 this month. RC&D led the Restoration Committee of Beautify CNMI! and coordinated the sign up of Earth Team Volunteers.

Pictured are PIC Angelo Villagomez, Coordinator Ken Kramer (me), and FMI President, Marites Castillo, winner of the 2006 Earth Team Group Award. The three of us worked very closely last year planting trees, cleaning beaches, and promoting environmental stewardship of our islands.

What ever happened to...

2007-05-14T21:21:00.001+10:00

...the owners of boat that did this:

I shot that video on Janurary 14, 2007 while diving Dimple. Four months later to the day, I wonder if the owners or the operators of the Pioneer III, the boat that dragged this anchor across our coral reef, ever charged with any crime?

I know that the resource agencies did an investigation. Did anything come of it?

Ken's first post

2007-05-14T15:18:00.000+10:00

Hafa Adai,

This is my first of many postings for the new Trails and Parks committee. I am learning to blog thanks to PIC.

Ken

Real Men Don't Burn

2007-05-14T12:32:00.000+10:00

In 2006 the Laulau watershed was burned by deer hunters during the month of May. We've been lucky this year that no one has burned our revegetation project.

There is almost no way to police the area, so we just keep our fingers crossed that no one burns it this year.

Yesterday was the rainiest day that Saipan has had since the beginning of February; it rained on and off the entire day. I hope that the rain is a signal that the rainy season is on the way.

Once it starts raining again it will be difficult to burn the entire hillside. Like I said, our fingers are crossed.

It would a real disappointment if all of our hard work from last year went up in flames.

Wrapping up

2007-05-10T14:07:00.000+10:00

Our year long coral reef out reach project is coming to a close soon. All that remains on my contract is to conduct a socioeconomic survey, conduct two public meetings, and to write my final report.

We have had a very successful year.

Our partners with MOVER (now Friends of the Mariana Islands) won an USDA Earth Team Group Award. This was a national award and they were selected over all other nominated groups in the entire United States.

Beautify CNMI! also won an EPA Award. While this award is shared with all of our partners, RC&D played a large role in the success of Beautify CNMI! RC&D chaired the Restoration Committee, which was responsible for coordinating all of the tree plantings, cleanups, restorations, and the tree care workshop.

EPA Award Presentation

2007-05-10T13:46:00.000+10:00

Yesterday morning John McCarroll and Pat Young from EPA Region 9 presented Beautify CNMI! with the 2007 Environmental Award for Outstanding Achievement in front of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of Public Works, Director of Fish & Wildlife, and the Director of the Division of Environmental Quality.

The award belongs to the thousands of people who have made Beautify CNMI! a success last year. Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council played a large role in coordinating the Restoration Committee of Beautify CNMI! Both Ken Kramer and I have been taking turns being the chair of that committee over the course of the year. Thanks to everyone who helped us out with the Restoration Committtee!

After the presentation of the EPA Award, USDA NRCS District Conservationist Scott Crockett and Marianas RC&D Coordinator Ken Kramer presented Rep. Cinta Kaipat, Governor Ben Fitial, and Lt. Governor Tim Villagomez with NRCS hats. They thanked Rep. Kaipat for her support and offered his agency's support to the local CNMI government.

Pets in the News

2007-05-09T15:57:00.000+10:00

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

CNMI celebrates its first Ever Pet Week
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Pets take the spotlight this week, with the proclamation of May 6-12 as CNMI Pet Week. This is the first time this occasion is being celebrated here in the Commonwealth.

The Saipan Mayor's Office gathered yesterday morning some of the islands' animal welfare advocates to witness the proclamation signing. Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela led the proclamation signing, assisted by Pet Assistance and Welfare Services and Beautify CNMI! committee chair Katie Busenkell and Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz.

Tudela said the celebration recognizes all pet lovers and their pets, to include not just dogs but also cats, horses, goats, and other animals.

“Do you know that pets also enrich your lives with many health benefits? They provide companionship that helps to overcome stress and worries. They are also important in providing us with opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities,” said Tudela.

Beautify CNMI! Restoration Committee chair and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance director Angelo Villagomez, USDA's Ken Kramer, PAWS president Mike Pai, and three of the five 2007 Liberation Day Queen candidates witnessed the proclamation signing.

Click HERE for the full Saipan Tribune Story

13 Flame Trees adopted under new Restoration Program

2007-05-08T16:17:00.000+10:00

Flame Tree Adoptions: MINA Board member Chuck Sayon, Nancy Rushmer, Rep. Cinta Kaipat, and Doreen Jesus of Guam pose with some of the Adopt-a-Flame Trees.

Beautify CNMI is gearing up for another round of tree plantings this year with an Adopt-a-Flame Tree program.

Beautify CNMI! is asking members of the community and business owners to “adopt” a Flame Tree by donating $20 per tree to the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance.

The trees will be planted in the location of the adoptees choosing, but Beautify CNMI is urging people to have the trees planted along Beach Road. According to Rep. Cinta Kaipat, “We would like to encourage the planting of the trees along Beach Road because a lot of the old trees are infected and will die soon. We want to plant now before they get taken down and it looks empty.”

Adoptees will be recognized with a certificate, a small marker next to the base of the tree, and with a picture on the Beautify CNMI website. The adoptions are ongoing and planting will begin in late June. Says Beautify CNMI Chairman Angelo Villagomez, “We’re just waiting for the rain.”

Adoptees will be invited to the plantings, but if they can not make it, they will receive a photo along with the GPS coordinates of their adopted tree.

Doreen Jesus and Greg Pangelinan of Guam each adopted a tree for Jesus’s son, US Army Sergeant Jesse Castro, who lost his life serving in Iraq last December. Castro was buried in Guam, but his father, Jesus Castro, is from Saipan.

The adoptees from the Flame Tree Festival are Aya Matsumoto (2), Shirley’s Coffee Shop (3), Nancy Rushmer, Ian Catlett, Calvo & Clark LLC, Don Bader, Nathan Tan, Doreen Jesus, Greg Pangelinan, and Bree Reynolds.

In 2006, Beautify CNMI planted 22 Flame Trees along Beach Road and in January 2007 they planted 4 more. To adopt a Flame Tree, contact Angelo Villagomez at 483-1078 or angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

EPA Award in the News

2007-05-07T15:52:00.000+10:00

Monday, May 07, 2007

EPA hands trophy to Beautify CNMI!
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Beautify CNMI! finally received its prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last Saturday at the Sabalu Market in Susupe.

EPA Region 9 program manager Pat Young handed over the blue glass trophy to Beautify CNMI! after the group was named an environmental hero during the recently concluded EPA Region 9 Environmental Awards ceremony held earlier last month.

Since Beautify CNMI! was not able to send a representative to receive the award in San Francisco, Young personally brought the award to the CNMI. She was also in the region to attend several other engagements.

Beautify CNMI! founder Rep. Cinta Kaipat and officers Angelo Villagomez, Steve Hiney, and USDA Ken Kramer received the award.

Click HERE for the full Saipan Tribune Story

Earth Team Award in the News

2007-05-02T15:39:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Wednesday, May 2, 2007

USDA hands certificate to FMI members
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service distributed at least 25 individual certificates to members of environment group Friends of the Mariana Islands, led by FMI president Marites Castillo.

Rep. Cinta Kaipat and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance executive director Angelo O'Connor Villagomez led the presentation of the certificates Sunday afternoon during the last day of the 26th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival at the Civic Center in Susupe.

Click HERE for the full story

The Great Turtle Escape

2007-05-01T01:04:00.001+10:00

This guy hatched on Monday, April 30, 2006.

Jaime Vergara Commentary

2007-04-22T15:59:00.000+10:00

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Which brings us to Beautify CNMI! with a plan and a brain. Angelo Villagomez, scion to the late Judge Ramon, brings native intelligence, disciplined craft and lively presentation to the task. The emcee for the evening, and new executive director to the Marianas Islands Nature Alliance (MINA),, among other hats he wear, Angelo self-effacingly enthralled his audience with perfectly-timed and appropriate repartee that the audience allowed his orchestrating skills to cue them when it was time to applaud! Young Angelo's managerial skills is evidently so broad that he could very well be an accomplished circus barker to an orchestrator of an inaugural ceremony, a facilitator to broad-based consensus-making to guiding the movement of a bill through the halls of a legislative body. There is promise for a mindful Beautify CNMI!

Click HERE for the full text of Mr. Vergara's commentary

Beautify CNMI in the News

2007-04-18T15:45:00.000+10:00

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Beautify CNMI! turns 1 and you're invited to dinner
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Saipan Tribune's 2006 Person of the Year Beautify CNMI! turns one year old this month and is hosting a dinner event this Friday to celebrate this milestone.

The fundraising event will be held at the Aqua Resort Club's Raraina Restaurant from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, according to Angelo Villagomez, Beautify CNMI! Restoration Committee chairman and Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council public involvement coordinator.

Click HERE for the full Saipan Tribune story

Restoration Committee in the News

2007-04-11T15:43:00.000+10:00

Group declares islandwide war vs graffiti

In response to a recent wave of vandalism and graffiti occurring on Saipan, Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention Unit is set to spearhead the latest Beautify CNMI! effort, unofficially called the “War on Graffiti.”

DPS will coordinate with student volunteers from Law Enforcement Explorer Program, Junior Police Officers, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, as well as community volunteers from Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Friends of the Mariana Islands to paint over graffiti in public places.

Click HERE for the full Saipan Tribune story

One Year Anniversary Fundraiser

2007-04-04T17:55:00.001+10:00

We're pink for Easter!

It is April and do you know what that means? The Beautify CNMI! movement is almost one year old! To commemorate this milestone, we are planning a Beautify CNMI! one year anniversary fundraiser on Friday, April 20th. Please mark your calendars!

The fundraiser will be at the Aqua Resort on April 20th at 7:30 PM. The price is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children (very affordable!). Admission includes the Seafood Night Buffet with draft beer and champagne, a raffle ticket, and other surprises. There will also be a presentation of several Beautify CNMI Environmental Stewardship awards and a presentation of all the work we have accomplished (and the fun we had) together in the last year.

I will have information on where to buy tickets soon. Please RSVP with me via email so that we have an idea of how many people to expect.

Please plan on coming! If you are reading this, you are invited.

Here is a taste of the amazing extravaganza you will be treated to:

Come see the rest of the video at the fundraiser!

A Public Service Announcement from Marianas RC&D

2007-03-07T15:38:00.001+10:00

This video was filmed and edited by Mike Tripp Productions. It has been playing on local television over the last few weeks. Please pass this link around so that others may see it.

This is NOT Effective Conservation

2007-02-27T07:21:00.001+10:00

I wonder what ever happened to the tour operators who did this?

How are those trees doing?

2007-02-26T18:48:00.000+10:00

The hillside up on our revegetation project is looking pretty dry. It feels like we switched from wet season to dry season overnight. Here are some pictures of our trees planted last summer:

"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035763590030810962" />Click HERE for more information on these trees, along with pictures taken of them in August. There's been some growth, hasn't there? The Acacia confusa are doing the best.

I hope that we can keep the hillside from burning this year. All of our work last year will have been for nothing if our trees burn.

It won't be easy; It looks pretty dry:

Is anyone bleeding?

2007-02-22T12:54:00.000+10:00

The Micronesia Challenge seeks to "Effectively Conserve 30% of our near shore resources and 20% of our forest resources by 2020." A huge part of "Effective Conservation" is educating our children about our environment, especially on coral reefs, watersheds, and how the two are related in the CNMI and the rest of Micronesia.

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, the two leading environmental non-profits in the CNMI, have been leading groups of local students on field trips to the Laulau Watershed for the last several months.

You can add 27 students and 2 teachers to the list of people that have been on the Angelo Villagomez Death March, um, I mean, Laulau Watershed Revegetation Project Field Trip.

The 6th grade students at Tanapag Elementary are learning about the environment. Their teacher, Miss Eileen Babauta, contacted me to see if I could either come into the class or show the kids where I work. Last week they had someone from the Division of Environmental Quality come into their classroom to talk about nonpoint source pollution. Today they got to climb up on a mountain (that's right, I work on a mountain!) to get a first hand look at nonpoint source. Exciting, I know!

I took the kids to the top of Mt. Laulau and they were able to point out the different sources of pollution leaching into Laulau Bay. They noticed things like agriculture, roads, houses, and golf courses in Kagman, San Vicente, and Dan Dan.

Any kid who goes on one of my field trips is responsible for learning one thing; they have to be able to repeat this simple mantra:

"What we do on the land can affect our marine environment."

Even though I make them repeat it no less than 30 times, it is really easy to get the kids excited about saying this mantra. Before we step onto the trail to start the hike, I lay out some rules about safety and having fun. Then I tell them that they only have to learn one thing on the field trip. This always gets them excited because kids like being told that they're not learning (even when they really are).

After I tell them the mantra, I ask one of the kids to repeat it back to me. There is always some hesitation on the kids' part, and sometimes it takes a couple of tries, but the first student to get it right wins a pack of Mentos (that's candy for those of you who don't remember those Mentos commercials from the 1990's).

When they see that answering a question wins them candy, all hesitation on the part of the kids goes away for the rest of the field trip.

This was the rowdiest bunch of kids I've taken on a field trip so far this year. My nephew, Edmund Villagomez, was their teacher last year. They figured this out in the first few minutes of our hike, which made us all instant friends. They even started calling me Mr. V and Mr. Villa-gorgeous...because that is what they call Edmund.

The thorns were really bad on this trip. I mean really bad. Really, really bad. Once the field trip was over and we were back on the bus I asked if anyone was bleeding.

I think pretty much everyone, including the teachers, raised their hands! Bleeding and still smiling?!?! Another successful field trip!

If you would like to experience the thorns and blistering heat at the Laulau Watershed Revegetation Project, please schedule a field trip with Angelo Villagomez at the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council office, 236-0894, or his cellphone, 483-1078, or via email angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

Dive, Snorkel, Protect

2007-02-05T23:23:00.001+10:00

This video was made by Coastal Resource Management Office in Saipan to help tourists and locals take better care of our coral reefs. This version is in English. I am working on getting the Japanese and Korean version online, too.

Everyone who lives here should watch this video! Please repost this on your blog and/or forward it around to your friends.

Angelo

Tree Care Workshop - Wrapup

2007-02-05T09:28:00.000+10:00

Last week 13 participants from RC&D, CUC, DPW, Parks & Recreation, CNMI Forestry, and members of the Legislature took part in a Tree Care Workshop coordinated by Beautify CNMI! and Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council.

The idea for a tree care workshop was initiated by Captain Carl Brachear during a Restoration Committee meeting. He noticed that some of our government partners could be doing a better job when it came to trimming trees along our roads and under our power lines. We've been working on a plan for this workshop for months, but it wasn't until MVA donated some seed money that we could get the ball rolling.

For two days the participants learned about tree care, tree biology, tree maintenance, and how to plant and trim trees. On each day there was a classroom session in the morning, followed by an amazing lunch at Aoi Restaurant at the Grand Hotel, with more classroom after lunch, followed by work out in the field in the afternoon. On the first day we planted Flame Trees along Beach Road and on the second day we trimmed mango trees in Kagman.

A big thank you to Captain Carl Brachear for providing the idea to have this workshop, MVA for providing the seed money to get this workshop rolling (this paid for airfare from Guam and some of our workshop supplies), Grand Hotel for providing Hotel and meeting space for our trainers from Guam, Ken Kramer for coordinating the whole thing, Roland and Ilene for coming over from Guam, and other Beautify CNMI! donors and participants for making this successful workshop possible.

The agencies came out of the workshop with a better understanding of tree care and maintenance and a willingness to work together to make the CNMI a better place to live and visit. The Restoration Committee is going to gather the participants together in the next few weeks so that we can come together on a plan of action. Although we haven't decided what project we want to work on, we have already talked about replacing the Flame Trees on Beach Road and other places on island, removing the trees from under the power lines that shouldn't be there, and/or lining some of our other streets with other species of trees.

Front Page News...Twice in one week!

2007-02-04T07:39:00.000+10:00

TREE CARE TRAINING: Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council president Roland Quitugua shows the root of a flame tree that was damaged by a bush cutter on Beach Road during the Tree Care and Trimming Workshop initiated by the restoration committee of the Beautify CNMI! on Participants from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Department of Public Works, Department of Lands and Natural Resources and Legislature attended the training. (Jacqueline Hernandez)

WHAT IS A WETLAND: Kagman High School students look at a sign that describes the characteristics of a wetland during yesterday's ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kagman Educational Island, which is a joint project of the Coastal Resource Management Office and the Marianas Resource and Conservation Office. (Jacqueline Hernandez)

2006 Earth Team Awards

2007-02-02T18:22:00.000+10:00

Click HERE to see the list of 2006 Earth Team Award Winners.

Guess who won the National Earth Team Group Volunteer Award? That right: MOVER!

In three short months MOVER was able to rack up over 1000 volunteer hours.

MOVER is an acronym for Multisectoral Overseas Filipino Workers Movement. Every Sunday (and sometimes Saturday) since June they have volunteered with RC&D and Beautify CNMI. In the last 8 months we have worked together to plant trees, clean beaches, clean streams, clean roads, restore tourist, historical, and natural spots, and generally make the CNMI a better place to live and visit.

This is the second national award for MOVER; a few years back they won an award from EPA. The USDA award will be officially presented to MOVER in February or March.

Thank you, MOVER!

The MOVERs are: Isabel Amarille, Ciaralyn C. Apostol, Rodolfo Abeleda, Roben Bachicha, Leonides Bansagan, Nieves Casta, Rey A. Castillo, Marites Aquino Castillo, Jimmy Candolita, Ranilo De Belen, Diomedes Duculan, Francisco Flores Jr., Ermelita Fernandez, Marites E. Fabros, Radino Garcia, Camilo Laoeng, Zenaida Lira, Adolfo Lumbad, Carmela Lumbad, Antonieta Mateo, Dominga Magbitang, Charina Manabat, Melecia Marquez, Kaela Mae Millano, Salvador Sellabe Jr., Carmela Sapiten, Presila Ramboanga, Federico Tamayo, Rene A. Vergara, Jessielyn Jurado, Ismaela Fernandez, Juanita Cabo, Ernesto Maicle, Loreto Cabo, Serafen Fernandez Jr., Alecia Garcia, Roberto Lopez Jr., Tina Marie Alverio, Bayani De Tobio, Mary Grace Rico, Ruperto Magtapat, Lucia Licen, Abelardo Casido, Teresita Banola, Edgardo Antalan, Rodrigo Estoque, Yolanda Jurado, Ervin Jurado, and Emmalin Jurado.

Here are some pictures from the last several months:

June 2006

Planting Flame Trees along Beach Road.

July 2006

Planting native trees at the Laulau Revegetation project site.

August 2006

Turning the abandoned airfield and police substation in Koblerville into a public park...and eating a little BBQ along the way.

September 2006

We did more than just work. After all of our successes over the summer, we spent an afternoon swimming and barbecuing on Managaha Island.

October 2006

Participating in 1020 on 10/20, the CNMI's largest one day cleanup. Over 3,380 volunteers participated in this event by planting trees, cleaning trash, and painting over graffiti.

November 2006

MOVER was the first community group to adopt a spot...they were also the first group to adopt 4 spots...no kidding. Here they are after a cleanup of the Garapan Tourist District.

December 2006

Cleaning muck out of drainage ditches. This is a job that nobody wants to do, but MOVER does it on their days off.

January 2007

One of our first activities this year was restoring the Lighthouse on top of Navy Hill. We removed trash and cut back weeds.

Tree Care Workshop - Day 1

2007-01-31T19:51:00.000+10:00

Today was the first day of the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council's Tree Care Workshop. The brainchild of Captain Carl Brachear, the tree care workshop's goal is to train government workers to care for trees on CNMI public land.

Webcast

2007-01-31T11:25:00.000+10:00

Friday morning at 5:45 AM local time , I am going to switch on my webcam and connect to a third grade classroom in Orlando, Florida. The students are studying careers and the question was raised, "Can you make a living as an environmentalist?"

One of the students (my 9 year old brother, Kevin) mentioned that he had a brother (me) working as an environmentalist out on a small island somewhere in the Pacific. To make a long story short, after sending a few emails and making a few phone calls, we've set up a live webcast between myself and the students so that they can ask me how someone can make a living promoting environmental stewardship.

Cool, ne?

Kagman Educational Island Ribbon Cutting

2007-01-31T10:57:00.000+10:00

Pictures:

Know your watershed

2007-01-31T08:40:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Learning center for wetlands officially opens
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

The Kagman Education Island Wetland learning center is now officially open to the public for education tours.

The federally funded learning center held its ribbon cutting ceremony at the site in Chacha Road, Kagman yesterday morning.

Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council vice-president Ike Cabrera, who presided over the ceremony, said the center was built to help schoolchildren with their research on wetlands.

Agriculture Division staff member Ben S. Borja said the learning center would be locked up for security reasons and would be opened only upon request. He said the site is also a sanctuary for migratory birds that seasonally fly from neighboring countries such as Taiwan.

USDA RCD coordinator Ken Kramer said the project was in collaboration with the Coastal Resources Management Office and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources. It was funded through the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Signs have been put up around the site that answer several questions such as: What is a Wetland?, What is a Wetland’s Function?, Endangered Species and Wetlands and Wetlands in the Landscape.

Kramer said the signs would help inform students and the public about the role that wetlands play in the environment.

“Wetlands are important for many reasons. They provide flood protection by slowing and holding stormwater runoff, allowing the water to slowly infiltrate into the ground, where it is naturally filtered by the silt and sand. This process cleanses the water and replenishes the aquifers from which many of us get our water,” Kramer said.

Sediment-laden runoff destroys marine habitat by smothering the corals, which deprives them of oxygen and sunlight. Wetlands trap sediment and other pollutants that would otherwise flow to the ocean, home of the green sea turtle and other marine life. Fish depend upon corals for food and shelter.

Wetlands also provide wildlife habitat for many types of animals that include insects, birds, reptiles, and fish.

“Come observe the wildlife at the Kagman Education Island wetland and see for yourself what the wetland signs have to say. Schedule your visit with DLNR by calling 256-7923,” Kramer said.

Saipan and Northern Islands Soil and Water Conservation District chair Isidoro T. Cabrera commended the realization of the learning center. “The Kagman Education Island serves as a reminder to all of us that effective resource conservation, is based on a strong combination of knowledge and cooperation,” he said.

Rep. Cinta Kaipat said she was “pleasantly surprised” to learn that the center was beautiful and would truly be useful for CNMI students.

At least 30 Kagman High School students participated in the event led by KHS student Chelsea Ruluked and faculty Allan Davis. The students unveiled the signs installed within the wetland center.

For more information on the Kagman Education Island Wetland contact, Ignacio V. Cabrera, vice president, MRC&DC at (670) 236-0894, Fax: (670) 236-0895; web sites: www.hafa-adai.org or www.hafa-adai.blogspot.com or e-mail Kramer at ken.kramer@pb.usda.gov. Interested schools and organizations can also contact Diane Gabaldon of the S&NISWCD 256-7923.

Marianas Variety, Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Conservation council wants more ‘education islands’ in NMI
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council is looking for more wetlands that can be converted into “education islands,” says its vice president, Ike Cabrera, during the inauguration of the Kagman wetland project yesterday.

Students from Kagman High School were the first ones to learn more about wetlands at the Kagman Education Island on Chacha Road.

“We want kids to do more studies about wetlands,” Cabrera said.

Council president Roland Quitugua said turning wetlands into educational venues helps spread awareness of the need to protect the environment.

The seven acre Kagman Education Island is the latest component added to the wetland which also provides flood control and irrigation to the surrounding farmlands.

Four educational signs have been installed in the area.

Coastal Resources Management Office’s Tim Lang said the signs are federally funded and cost $7,000.

The signs provide information about wetlands, how they works, their locations, and the endangered species that can be found in these areas.

Kagman is a farming area for Saipan, according to Scott Crocket, a district conservationist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services.

“So the wetland also plays an important role in irrigation,” he added.
Quitugua said the purpose of the education island project is to mitigate some environmental impacts.

“This is a living laboratory not only for the students but for the community as well,” he added.

According to Ken Kramer of the Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council, “what we do with land management affects the quality of our marine environment.”

He said wetlands filter water that runs to the beach and the ocean.

Recycling in the News

2007-01-29T15:47:00.000+10:00

Recycling 'Trick or Treat' a success
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Kagman residents were surprised when a number of high schools students knocked on their doors and screamed, “Trick or Treat!” in late January, but the trick or treat was intended for the Kagman residents' garbage.

Beautify CNMI!, together with some local high school volunteers, scoured the area Saturday for the recycling activity.

At least 58 school children helped in the event. Among them were 25 Kagman High School students and some volunteers from private schools such as Grace Christian Academy and public schools like Marianas High School. Some elementary schools also joined the environmental campaign group in collecting trash in Kagman.

Click HERE for the full Saipan Tribune Story

Some trees, they are a growin'...

2007-01-29T12:29:00.000+10:00

...but others, they are a dyin'!

I took 8 Northern Marianas College students up to the Laulau Revegetation Project site on Saturday afternoon. It was the typical Laulau field trip. I explained how our land use practices affect our marine environment, how burning our savannah kills the coral reefs, and the steps we are taking to revegetate the hillside.

We hiked around the project site and I showed them the three different planting methods we used and pointed out some of the tree species.

Certain trees are doing great, while some trees are doing, well, not so great. The Sosugi tree in this picture was about 12 inches tall in August (5 months ago):

Now it is almost as tall as me. Most of the Sosugi trees we planted are this tall now.

The Da'ok trees (small tree on left side of picture above) are doing very well. Most of them have doubled or tripled in size. The Putting trees (small tree on right) are also doing very well. We planted several Putting saplings, but mostly we just broadcast Putting seeds. As you can see, the seeds sprouted some time ago. It appears that most of them sprouted and are doing well.

Some of the other species, like Banalo, Kafu, and Pago, don't seem to be doing as well. The leaves are small, yellow and in some cases are starting to whither. I don't think they'll make it through the dry season. These observations are unscientific, of course, but I think we have an idea of how to improve on our plantings.

The watershed group will be meeting again soon to go over our plans for 2007.

Click HERE to see photos of some of the saplings back in August

Utilizing the College Students

2007-01-29T12:12:00.000+10:00

I am working with several classes at Northern Marianas College on coral reef issues. Bree Reynold's Intro to Marine Biology course is using the Micronesia Challenge as a problem based approach to learning about coral reefs.

They are spending the semester learning how Marine Biology relates to issues pertaining to the Micronesia Challenge. She is presenting the Challenge in it's basic form, which is "to Effectively Conserve 30% of our Near Shore Resources and 20% of our Terrestrial Resources by 2020," and the students are going to go through the same exercise that the CNMI government is going through to come up with solutions to the problems threatening our coral reefs.

They've even started a blog to make a record of their class.

Click HERE to read their blog

Another class I am working with is Sam McPhertes' Current Issues class (there are two of them). I have presented the Micronesia Challenge and explained some of the basic concepts of Sustainable Development, which balances Economic, Social, and Biological Needs.

Since Bree's class is already focusing on the Biological approach to the Micronesia Challenge and protecting our coral reefs, I have asked Sam's classes to tackle the Economic and Social aspects. This will include discussions on fishing, tourism, culture, diversity, government, and other non-science aspects of coral reefs.

In a few months, I hope to have each class present their findings. It should be interesting to see what they come up with.

Ask and you shall recieve

2007-01-29T10:27:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Monday, January 29, 2007

Overzealous tree-trimmer

Nearly two dozen assorted cardinal honeyeaters, golden white-eyes, Micronesian starlings, kingfishers, rufous fantails, and sparrows lost a feeding ground, resting place, meeting site, one day this past weekend when, while I was out, an overzealous tree-trimmer cut off almost half of the branches on a flame tree growing in my yard. Admittedly, the branches that were cut stretched out over the neighbor’s empty lot, and it’s my understanding that it’s OK to cut branches leaning into your yard, even if the tree is not yours.

But most of the branches were way up high-higher, even, than my two-story house from which I took immense pleasure-up on the second floor-in watching the bright red cardinal honeyeaters come and eat, the golden white-eyes flit through the branches, a group of starlings hop about chirruping to each, an occasional kingfisher sitting haughtily on one of the branches, more rarely even the pretty little rufuous fan-tails coming by, and the ever-present sparrows. Some of them came every day, and I always stopped to admire them-the bright colors of the cardinal honeyeaters, the blue of the kingfisher, the spread of the rufous fantails peacock-like tails, the song of the larger starlings-I even learned to distinguish all their songs.

I know I can’t sue my neighbor for destroying habitat-after all, it was on his land, and I don’t think the birds are among the endangered species or for cutting branches off my tree-since they reached out over his land too. But I wish he’d been less zealous and that those tree-timming classes were more widely available.

In mourning,

Ruth Tighe
Tanapag

The Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council will host a tree trimmer training this Wednesday and Thursday in Garapan. Please contact Ken Kramer, RC&D Coordinator, at 236-0893 for more information.

Blogger Meetup

2007-01-29T10:22:00.001+10:00

If you don't know what a blog is, let me help: You are reading one right now.

The We Love Saipan Network, along with the Saipan Blogger and the Passion Profit, are hosting the CNMI's first Blogger Meetup this Wednesday night at 7 PM at Java Joe's.

The meeting will be an informal meeting for anyone with a blog or the desire or interest to start a blog. Some of us have been blogging for a few years, some for only a few days. All are welcome!

We'll share tips, ideas, links, and expertise. Hope to see you there!

Anchors Away

2007-01-16T12:02:00.001+10:00

Half way through my dive at Dimple this morning, I was surprised to see an anchor connected to a boat on the surface. I was even more surprised to see what the anchor was doing to the coral reefs.

I think that part of Effective Conservation is going to have to include banning anchors in the CNMI's most popular dive sites.

Coming soon to a village called Kagman...

2007-01-12T00:16:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Friday, January 12, 2007

USDA to open Education Island soon
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

The US Department of Agriculture Resource Conservation and Development office in the CNMI will soon open the newly completed Kagman Watershed Education Island Exhibit Project.

USDA officer Ken Kramer disclosed yesterday during the Beautify CNMI! general meeting at the Division of Environmental Quality Conference Room that the “Education Island” would have a ribbon cutting ceremony tentatively scheduled on Jan. 30 in Kagman.

Kramer said the last phase of the project-fencing and securing the area-was finished this week. He added that the signs have already been installed.

The project was funded through the Coastal Resource Management Office in collaboration with the USDA RCD office.

Beautify CNMI! and USDA RCD officer Angelo Villagomez said the Education Island would be open for educational excursions in the area. He said the project is intended for school children to benefit from being exposed to a wetland, as it would teach them how it prevents soil erosion and other environmental concerns.

Villagomez said the project was conceived years ago with the objectives of preserving an area in Kagman for educational purposes.

For schools and other organizations that are interested to take a tour of the site, they may contact Kramer and Villagomez for an appointment. Contact both USDA officers at 236-0894.

The Education Island Learning Center is part of the Kagman Watershed Project that aims to help Kagman residents and farmers, as well as the rest of the island. The multi-million dollar federally funded project also aims for better flood prevention methods and improved irrigation water supply in the CNMI.

Other benefits would include an enhanced farm economy, wildlife habitat protection, reduced pressure on the aquifer, a healthier coral reef and a cleaner marine environment.

The Kagman Project consists of four waterways, two sediment basins, a 70-million gallon reservoir, a 100,000-gallon storage tank, and an irrigation water delivery system.

The planning process for the project began in 1985, when the CNMI government approached NRCS and asked for help in solving the flooding problems and provide irrigation water in the area. Since the completion of the Watershed Workplan and Environmental Impact Statement in 1993, NRCS has overseen the installation of a variety of conservation practices.

For more information on the Kagman Watershed Project and other USDA programs, call 236-0888, or visit the USDA Service Center located in the DY Building, Beach Road, South Garapan. More information is also available online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Blogging in Beta Blogger

2007-01-03T10:10:00.000+10:00

I am switching this blog over to the New Blogger. It will take we a little while to get the format looking like it did before. Please be patient.

The New Blogger has a lot of cool features, like a drop down Archive system, labels, and easier navigation for the user. It is also a lot easier for the blogger to play around with the different features on the blog.

All in all, totally superior to the old blogger, but it will take a few days to update.

Feliz Nuevo Ano!

2007-01-03T09:59:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year!

Our year long coral reef outreach project launched on April 24, 2006. Our goal for the year was to recruit 75 volunteers to participate in revegetation projects, water quality sampling, and fish surveys.

Holy cow, have we been succesful! I'm still distilling all of the numbers from 2006, but at last count we had recruited over 500 volunteers...and that's not including the 3,380 volunteers that RC&D recruited to participate in Saipan's largest island wide cleanup.

In 2006 RC&D also chaired the Restoration Committee of Beautify CNMI, which was charged with restoring the historical, cultural, and natural beauty of the CNMI. Beautify CNMI was recently named the 2006 Person of the Year.

I'm looking forward to carrying our successes from 2006 over into 2007! Hello, Micronesia Challenge!

2007: The Micronesia Challenge

2007-01-02T12:39:00.000+10:00

This is the year!

It is time to start talking about the Micronesia Challenge. Here are some links:

Blogs of note:

Micronesians in Island Conservation

MIC is a peer learning network of conservation leaders from government and non-governmental organizations committed to protecting and sustainably managing resources in their islands. MIC’s approach is to strengthen the collaborative, organizational, technical, and policy skills of leaders and organizations so that, together with communities, they can advance the conservation and management of important natural areas in Micronesia.

Beautify CNMI!

Beautify CNMI! is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the CNMI's natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors.

Coral Bones

Will tropical coral reefs be the first ecosystem to be eliminated by global warming?

Beautiful Oceans: Coral Reef and Eco Diving Magazine

A tropical warm water space for scuba divers and snorkelers interested in coral reef biology and best diving practices.

NGO News:

The Nature Conservancy

The World Conservation Union

Conservation International

RC&D in the News

2006-12-26T09:59:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Saturday, December 23, 2006

DEQ awards prizes to recycling winners
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Recycling heroes gathered once more at the Division of Environmental Quality Conference Room yesterday to receive their prizes for winning the recycling competition held in November.

The Northern Marianas Academy, a private school in the Commonwealth, topped this year’s CNMI Recycles Day competition. The school collected a total of 50,380 lbs of recyclable materials. There were 34 NMA students who participated in the contest, bringing in 1,481.8 lbs of trash per student.

Marianas Visitors Authority director Perry A. Tenorio joined DEQ officers Tina Sablan and Reina Camacho in presenting the prizes to the winning schools yesterday.

NMA won $600 cash prize, plus 30 waterpark passes to Pacific Islands Club and 20 seedlings, courtesy of the CNMI Forestry.

Eucon International School ranked second, with a total of 22,459 lbs of recyclable materials. This means the109 students who participated brought in an average of 206 lbs of trash.

Public school Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School placed third after each of its 221 student brought in 166.7 lbs of trash for a total of 36,837 lbs.

San Antonio Elementary School ended up with 115.6 lbs per 239 participating students for an overall total of 38,020 lbs.

Grace Christian Academy ranked fifth with 75 lbs per student (total of 360 students). The private school accumulated a total of 27,220 lbs of trash.

Saipan International School, William S. Reyes Elementary School and Koblerville Elementary School followed the ranking with 63.9 lbs, 36.7 lbs, and 33.3 lbs per student respectively.

There were 24 private and public schools that participated in this year’s Recycles Day competition.

The competition based its scores on the recyclable wastes gathered by each student that participated in the competition.

This year’s CNMI Recycles Day partners and supporters included Ericco (provided free recycling collection for the schools); Ginen Saipan; Pepsi; Pacific Islands Club; Hotel Nikko Saipan; Hafadai Publishing; Saipan Shipping; MS Villagomez; and Java Joe's as corporate sponsors.

Government supporters were the Office of the Governor; Office of the Lt. Governor; Marianas Visitors Authority (prizes, logistical support); DPW; DEQ; Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Division (for the seedlings of all participating schools); and Office of Rep. Cinta Kaipat; Office of Rep. Absalon Waki. Nonprofit partners: Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Marianas RC&D; MINA; and MOVER.

This year’s contest committee members were Camacho, Angelo Villagomez, Steve Hiney, Barrett Ristroph, Bree Reynolds, Frank Tudela, Ed Diaz, Elly Stoilova, Ken Kramer; Cinta Kaipat; Absalon Waki, Gus Kaipat, Viola Kaipat, Nina Rivera, Marites Castillo, Merced Ada, and Sablan.

Hopwood Junior High School Tree Planting

2006-12-18T16:47:00.000+10:00

This afternoon 27 students from Hopwood Junior High School, with a little help from Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, planted 75 Da'ok trees (Calophyllum inophyllum) around their campus. When they are taller, the trees will provide shade for students who have classes outdoors or who choose to go outside during breaks.

Just ask any number of students sitting under the short supply of tall trees on Hopwood's campus if they prefer sitting in the shade or in the sun. The temperature in the shade can be 10 degrees cooler than the temperature in the sun (Click here for a student science project comparing soil temperatures in sun and shade).

We planted trees around the perimeter of the playing field and in the area around the flagpole. The trees around the playing field will play the dual purpose of providing shade and blocking out some of the noise from Beach Road.

The students who participated in today's planting will probably be in college by the time these trees are tall enough to provide considerable shade, but I'm sure they'll remember the Monday afternoon that they spent digging and planting in the sun. Hopefully they'll come back to Hopwood with their younger brothers and sisters and point out the Da'ok trees they planted way back in 2006.

The Da'ok trees were donated by Caesar and Ignacia Villluz. The shovels and picks were donated by Marianas RC&D. The students are in Mrs. Bree Reynolds 7th period Science Lab.

Wing Beach

2006-12-16T12:39:00.000+10:00

From Kathy Yuknavage, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance Secretary:

Today was a great success and a lot of fun. Marianas Resort staff and Mr. Jim Phillip’s Marine Science class from Marianas High School were already at the beach picking up when Ted and I arrived at 7:45. They informed us that there was very little trash. The dumpster is working marvelously.

We only had to use one truck to haul the limited amount of litter collected. In fact we included the bags of garbage removed from the dumpster; all told weighing less than 120 lbs.

Given that we had very little to do to clean up, the 35 volunteers, including representatives from Aqua Resort Club, Beautify CNMI!, and the Church of Latter Day Saints, headed towards the main road to plant trees. Our newly elected Executive Director, Angelo Villagomez from Beautify CNMI! and RC&D brought a total of 30 Do’ak trees. The volunteers cleared brush, ignored their boonie bee stings and planted the trees along the south side of the access road. They have all been flagged so MINA and our co-adopters, Marianas Resort, can trade off keeping the brush cut back around them. It feels wonderful to actually have time to enhance the natural habitat of this pristine beach, rather than just remove litter. I hope we can continue to keep this and some of our other undeveloped beach fronts in their “primitive” state for those that like to have open sky and stars overhead.

Hope to see all of you next month to work on MINA Drive.

Cheers,

Kathy

Name that fish!

2006-12-13T09:10:00.000+10:00

Whoever correctly names this fish gets an autographed 8x10 of the RC&D Executive Committee!

Micronesian Challenge meeting this week

2006-12-12T12:21:00.000+10:00

The Restoration Committee of Beautify CNMI, chaired by RC&D's Angelo Villagomez, will be discussing and implementing Education and Outreach plans for the Micronesian Challenge this Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 PM at Cafe at the Park in Garapan. Everyone is welcome to attend, but we especially want you there if you are a local fisherman, diver, teacher, or student.

We will disseminate the findings from last week's meetings in Palau and then begin the process of implanting the Micronesian Challenge into the hearts and minds of the people of the CNMI.

RC&D in the News

2006-12-06T08:51:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Wednesday, December 06, 2006

The Saipanpreneur Project: Creating economic success for the CNMI
Saipanpreneur Profile: Angelo Villagomez of Beautify CNMI!

By Walt F.J. Goodridge
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Like the island nation he calls home, Angelo Villagomez has his feet and his future planted in two worlds. Born here in 1978, Angelo left for Massachusetts at age 3, spent a year in England when he was 13 (the family indulged his mom’s adventurous streak), went to high school in Florida, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in Biology, and then got a second degree in Environmental Policy. In November 2005, he went to Japan on his own adventure.

It was shortly afterwards, in December 2005, that he got the call that brought him back to Saipan to say a final earthly goodbye to his father. Then, after a brief return to Japan, he moved back to Saipan in March 2006.

"You can either call me a Chamorro-born American, or an American-educated Chamorro," he says of his unique perspective. It’s this straddling of two cultures, two sets of values, two worldviews, two life experiences that makes him uniquely qualified to pursue his passion and share his vision.

"The cultural lines of identity and separation that others may see are invisible to me," he adds. "But some things ARE visible. Like many people who spend enough time off island, I’m able to recognize some of our shortcomings from a different perspective. I’m not the first or the only person to see the need for change. It’s just my special calling to do something about it."

And that he has! Angelo works for the Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council to organize volunteers to help with tree plantings, water quality and dive surveys. In addition, his volunteer participation as the energy behind the restoration committee of the "Beautify CNMI!" coalition has earned him tremendous public support and recognition. He, along with volunteers and fellow visionaries Tina Sablan, Cinta Kaipat, Reina Camacho and Steve Hiney form the heart and soul of this unique group-defined on their website as "a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the CNMI’s natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors." (www.BeautifyCNMI.com)

It was at a meeting in June 2006, at what was then called The Beautification Group, which had started meeting a month earlier, that Angelo lit a fire of forward motion and set a new pace with his "do it now" approach to getting things done.

"At the meeting, we were all planning a tree planting project. I got an idea, so I said, ’Who’s got four trees? I mean, like, right now? Parks & Recreation had the trees. Ok, who’s got some shovels? No one had shovels, so I got them. Public Works said they’d dig the holes. We painted them gold, organized a little media event on short notice and we went out four days later, and planted four trees! The next meeting-same thing: ’Who’s got more trees?’ This time, P&R had seven, and we did it again...and it just snowballed from there."

His commitment, steeped in the character-building experience of a presidential campaign trail in the U.S., which honed an already innate persistence, brought and infused a new energy to the group. Since then, that small group of core volunteers, which eventually became Beautify CNMI has achieved an impressive record:

- 2,000 trees have been planted since June;

- 260,000 lbs of recyclable material have been collected in just two months;

- 3,380 volunteers showed up for the islandwide cleanup on Oct 20.

"Think about it," Angelo explains. "One in 20 people who call Saipan home cared enough to stop the normal routines of their lives to come out in the hot sun for the single purpose of making this a cleaner place to live and raise their families."

That IS impressive. Beautify CNMI is galvanizing the community in a way that’s never been done. Chamorros, Carolinians, Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and many others are all uniting every week with a common goal. (Imagine. No, better yet, come out and experience it!).

Indeed, veterans of volunteerism, pundits of public activism, and equally important givers of grants are likewise impressed.

"As a non-profit coalition, we depend heavily on grants from foundations and the federal government to help us in what we do," Angelo explains. "But the reality is that ’money follows success’ in the grant world, and we are 'successful' since we have overwhelming public support for what we do, an unlimited supply of volunteer labor, and people who are coming out and working together. Foundations love to see people working together. That translates into money in the form of federal grants which will help us promote and grow environmental stewardship in the CNMI."

"Our environment is our economy," Angelo explains. "Who we are has been defined by our environment. We can afford to have and feed big families because of our geography and access to fishing.

"What we do is also defined by our environment. We can use tourism as an economic booster because of the beauty of our natural environment."

"Based on the impact you’ve been having, it’s hard to believe that you’ve been here as an adult just since March of 2006,” I remark. “So what brought you back to Saipan?"

"Oh, without a doubt, chicken kelaguen! That’s the number one reason I came back!" he jokes. "The truth is Saipan is magical for me. My childhood memories are here. I can remember going fishing here. Just being here brings back those memories. If I go someplace, knowing that my father was here, and his father was here, it’s a powerful feeling."

With a tear in his eye, Angelo speaks nostalgically about his passion for Saipan, the environment and its preservation, and of other childhood memories that fuel his passion.

"I’ve always loved nature," he recalls. "There was nothing greater...nothing greater than being out there with my dad, fishing, hiking...."

As the power of the feeling overcomes him, the thought is left unfinished, and unheard-at least for those who listen only with ears. But for those who read men’s hearts and souls, one immediately senses that Angelo’s mission to honor the CNMI’s beauty is about his tribute to the land of his birth, and perhaps the fulfillment of a personal promise-one that he uses to maintain a deeper private connection to a past filled with memories that a son and his father shared.

“What's the greatest lesson you've learned from this?” I ask.

"That you can’t do it alone," he immediately replies. "From day one this has been a team effort. At Beautify CNMI!, we always say everyone in the community is a member, they just don’t know it yet. I’ve had the pleasure of working with people who are competent, and in all honesty, usually exceed expectations."

“And what's the next step?”

"Well, we’ll continue our projects, do more beach cleanups, anti-littering, tree planting, but the next big long-term project is The Micronesian Challenge. (The Challenge, first proposed by Palau President Tommy Remengasau Jr., and taken up by the leaders of the CNMI, Guam, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, is to "effectively conserve 30 percent of "near shore" resources, 20 percent of forest resources" by 2020.) Beautify CNMI!’s mission is to get the vision of this challenge into the heads and hearts of the people of the CNMI.

It’s a vision that mirrors and complements Angelo’s own-for Angelo’s vision for the CNMI includes more than the necessary first steps of clearing the streets of trash and repainting buildings and bus stops. It’s a vision national in its implementation, regional in its overall effect, global in its long-term impact, and universal in its respect of our shared human experience.

"We have more coral reefs than any place in the world,” Angelo offers. “So when this challenge is successful we will have protected larger swaths of reef than any other. We can be the shining star of Micronesia in that regard. The CNMI can, should and will be THE place for people to witness and experience coral reef conservation in action. The CNMI also can, should and will be known for industries, opportunities and based on our natural resources.

“So, when a Chamorro starts a locally-owned dive shop here on island, when a Carolinian starts a touring and trekking company, when a young person of any background starts a website design business, or some sort of Internet-based product and service for tourists who’ve come to experience our environment and culture, it will be because we've taken the time to preserve and beautify it. We will become known for the best aspects of our culture, traditions and natural resources. So that when a child is asked by any visitor what are we known for, she can say

1. latte stones

2. traditional navigation

3. Coral reefs...

...and, of course, chicken kelaguen!

“My grandfather was a fisherman. My father, even though he was a judge, still caught fish off the reef to feed his family. And I’m employed by an organization that focuses on reef conservation. So, in effect, I’m still making a living through the coral reef. I’m just doing it in a different way.

“There’s more than one type of activity that can be supported by the existence of our reefs and natural resources.”

And that is why this week’s Saipanpreneur column is a profile in passion that is paving the way for employees to get jobs, entrepreneurs to launch profitable businesses, and for children not yet born, the children of today who will be their parents, and the grandparents they will become tomorrow to enjoy the beauty and benefits from the foundation being laid today by average citizens.

"So, what’s the one thing you want people to know? I asked Angelo finally.

"Well, I’d like people to remember that it’s not the government’s responsibility. This is OUR home. It’s my home and YOUR home. It’s only 3 miles by 17 miles and if WE don’t take care of it, no one is going to take care of it for us. Whether it’s picking up trash or improving our economy, we can’t wait for the federal government. What I love about Beautify CNMI! is that it embodies a traditionally independent spirit and a belief that we are self-sufficient and that we CAN do it ourselves. Help from the outside can supplement, but we really should strive to be helping ourselves. The success of Beautify CNMI! shows that we’re ready and that we ARE doing it!"

* * *

I hope you enjoyed today's profile. Now you'll understand why when I thought about launching a website to capture the passion of those who proudly call the CNMI home, Angelo was the first person I contacted. Read Angelo's and other profiles at www.WeLoveSaipan.com . And keep up-to-date with Beautify CNMI's events and volunteer projects at www.BeautifyCNMI.com

* * *

Until next week, remember, success is a journey, not a destination!

(Walt F.J. Goodridge is author of 12 books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit. Walt offers coaching and workshops to help people pursue and profit from their passions. Originally from the island of Jamaica, Walt has grown several successful businesses in the US, and now makes his home here in Saipan. To learn more about the Saipanpreneur Project and Walt's philosophy and formula visit www.saipanpreneur.com and www.passionprofit.com. Send article suggestions, entrepreneur nominations and feedback about this article to walt@passionprofit.com.)

Marianas RC&D takes on the Micronesian Challenge

2006-12-05T11:38:00.000+10:00

The Micronesian Challenge seeks to effectively conserve 30 percent of near shore marine resources and 20 percent of forest resources by 2020.

The Challenge was first proposed by Palau President Tommy Remengasau Jr. and has been taken up by the leaders of the CNMI, Guam, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The Saipan Tribune reported on the Micronesian Challenge in August 2006.

Beautify CNMI! and RC&D officially took on the Micronesian Challenge today. Some of our partners from Division of Fish & Wildlife, Division of Environmental Quality, Coastal Resource Management Office, and the Acting Governor are in Palau this week meeting with the four other Micronesian nations to work out some of the details of the Challenge.

They are looking for answers to some of the following questions:

What is meant by Effective Conservation?
What uses will be allowed in Effectively Conserved areas?
How will we pay for Effective Conservation?
What is a near shore resource?
Does it include mangroves?
How far from the shore do you go?
How deep do you go?
How do you quantify 30%?
What is a forest resource?
Does a forest include wetlands?
How do you quantify 20%?
Are these areas interconnected?
How about endangered species?
How about migrating species?

The answers to these questions might seem simple, but we are trying to come up with a long term solution for sustaining our natural resources, the cornerstone of our economy. This will require among many things, laws, regulations, and enforcement, all which have to be very specific and very precise.

The discussion to find the answers to these questions will themselves undoubtedly lead to another round of questions. Other agenda items to be considered during this week's conference in Palau are:

Designating a regional body to coordinate the Challenge
Reviewing existing conservation strategies and plans in each nation's jurisdiction
Establishing specific, quantifiable targets
Establishing a process for regular review of the Micronesian Challenge's goals and accomplishments

Keep in mind that this is a long term Challenge. We have been mandated to have the goals of the Challenge accomplished by 2020. This project is going to take a considerable amount of planning and public input. Our goal over the next few months is to explain the Micronesian Challenge and to start the process of bringing the community together to find ways to make this Challenge a success.

Undoubtedly, all the nations involved in the Challenge will undergo administration changes, economic challenges, and any number of unforeseen events. The Challenge strives to rise above all that, to galvanize conservation efforts in all of Micronesia, in much the same way that Beautify CNMI! has galvanized environmental stewardship efforts in the CNMI.

That gives us 14 years to discuss, disagree, examine, and reexamine how we will make the Micronesian Challenge a success. When we succeed in this endeavor, Micronesia will find a place on the map as a world class success story for coral reef and forest conservation.

My challenge to you is to help make the CNMI the success story for Micronesian coral reef and forest conservation. Are you with me?

RC&D in the News

2006-11-21T07:43:00.000+10:00

Saipan Tribune, Tuesday, November 21, 2006

NMA wins Recycles Day contest
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

The Northern Marianas Academy, a private school in the Commonwealth, topped this year's CNMI Recycles Day competition.

Division of Environmental Quality Waste Reduction and Recycling coordinator Tina Sablan said the school collected a total of 50,380 lbs of recyclable materials. There were 34 NMA students who participated in the contest, bringing in 1,481.8 lbs of trash per student.

NMA won $600 cash prize, plus 30 waterpark passes to Pacific Islands Club and 20 seedlings, courtesy of the CNMI Forestry.

Eucon International School ranked second, with a total of 22,459 lbs of recyclable materials. This means the109 students who participated brought in an average of 206 lbs of trash.

Public school Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School placed third after each of its 221 student brought in 166.7 lbs of trash for a total of 36,837 lbs.

San Antonio Elementary School ended up with 115.6 lbs per 239 participating students for an overall total of 38,020 lbs.

Grace Christian Academy ranked fifth with 75 lbs per student (total of 360 students). The private school accumulated a total of 27,220 lbs of trash.

Saipan International School, William S. Reyes Elementary School and Koblerville Elementary School followed the ranking with 63.9 lbs, 36.7 lbs, and 33.3 lbs per student respectively.

There were 24 private and public schools that participated in this year's Recycles Day competition.

Sablan said the competition based its scores on the recyclable wastes gathered by each student that participated in the competition.

The Beautify CNMI!, in collaboration with the DEQ and the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management, held the culminating activity for the CNMI Recycles Day on Saturday at the Lower Base Transfer Station.

The event celebrated the “phenomenal effort of schools, families, and businesses in the CNMI whose combined efforts during the two-month contest resulted in the collection of over 200,000 lbs of recyclable cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, and metals.”

The 200,000 lbs of materials can now be processed and converted into useful products, said Sablan, instead of dumping them all into the CNMI landfill.

PIC's Elly Stoilova also put up a booth with two other organizations showcasing environmental awareness. Stoilova showcased arts and crafts made of recyclable materials found in the CNMI.

This year's CNMI Recycles Day partners and supporters included Ericco (provided free recycling collection for the schools); Ginen Saipan; Pepsi; Pacific Islands Club; Hotel Nikko Saipan; Hafadai Publishing; Saipan Shipping; MS Villagomez; and Java Joe’s as corporate sponsors.

Government supporters were the Office of the Governor; Office of the Lt. Governor; Marianas Visitors Authority (prizes, logistical support); DPW; DEQ; Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Division (for the seedlings of all participating schools); and Office of Rep. Cinta Kaipat; Office of Rep. Absalon Waki. Nonprofit partners: Saipan Chamber of Commerce; Marianas RC&D; MINA; and MOVER.

This year's contest committee members were Reina Camacho, Angelo Villagomez, Steve Hiney, Barrett Ristroph, Bree Reynolds, Frank Tudela, Ed Diaz, Stoilova, Ken Kramer; Cinta Kaipat; Absalon Waki, Gus Kaipat, Viola Kaipat, Nina Rivera, Marites Castillo, Merced Ada, and Sablan.

Front page news and a few more pictures

2006-10-21T12:18:00.000+10:00

Yesterday's 1020 on 10/20 went better than I could have ever hoped. When we first floated the idea of recruiting 1020 volunteers to clean our island on one day it seemed like an insurmountable challenge. I never expected to meet our goal three times over. And oh yeah, we were on the front page of the Saipan Tribune.

It was a really exciting day. I drove around visiting as many of the cleanup sites as I could.

I started out at 7 AM. My first stop was with the Marianas Eye Institute volunteers picking up trash along Beach Road. They were led by their CEO Russ Quinn.

My next stop was Java Joe's for a hot cup of black coffee. Along the way I saw volunteers from DPL and I think NMC cleaning up the road

After that I drove to Kagman. Along the way I saw volunteers from MOVER cleaning up Isa Drive and the Lt. Governor's office and family cleaning up As Lito Road.

The Kagman Komunidat Association, along with the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort, Kagman Highschool, Kagman Elementary School, and Cha Cha Oceanview Junior High School, were cleaning up the Kagman Peninsula.

Here are pictures of some of the participants:

After Kagman I drove to Koblerville to visit with Cinta Kaipat, her office, her family, and CNMI Forestry. They were continuing with the Beautify CNMI! project to build a public park at the old substation and abandoned airfield.

Here is a picture of Cinta with her sister Vi, nephew Kyle, and Ben Cepeda from CNMI Forestry:

After that I headed North, passing by the Mayor's Office working in San Antonio. Then I stopped to visit with the Aquarius Hotel, the Hunter family and DPH cleaning up the beach in Chalan Kanoa (where they planted over 40 coconuts), before heading to 13 Fisherment to visit with DEQ.

DEQ, in addition to cleaning up the beach and the road, planted 25 coconut trees and painted one of the pala palas with paint donated from Sherwin Williams.

After that, I visited with Hopwood Junior High School cleaning up their school and their adjacent beach and then PIC cleaning up the beach south of their hotel.

It was truly an amazing day! I didn't get pictures of everyone I saw, but I'm expecting all of the adopting groups to send me pictures along with reports of their cleanups. I'll post those stories and pictures on the Beautify CNMI! website when I get them.

The total right now for the number of participants stands at 3210, but that number should increase as other volunteer groups get back to me with their number of participants.

The 1020 on 10/20 cleanup was coordinated by Marianas RC&D, a proud partner of Beautify CNMI!

1020 on 10/20 Update

2006-10-17T22:57:00.000+10:00

Click HERE to download the 1020 on 10/20 Signup Forms

Please participate in the island wide destination enhancement day TOMORROW!

The 1020 on 10/20 packet is online. Click on the above link to download it. Beautify CNMI has to keep track of several thousand individuals for this event, so please submit the "1020 on 10/20 Interest Sheet" ASAP.

3157 and CLIMBING!!!

Several community groups, businesses, and government agencies have already submitted their pledge to adopt spots for our islandwide destination enhancement day.

I have recieved paperwork from:

NEW! Lieutenant Governor Villagomez and Family - Chalan Monsignor Martinez from traffic light at gas station to traffic light at hardware company
Volunteers expected: 45
Time: 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Contact: Margaret Keene, 234-3751

The Lieutenant Governor and his family will pick up litter along the road and will paint the bus stops and plant trees. They have adopted this road for the entire year! This will be an ongoing project for the Villagomez family.

NEW! DPS Crime Prevention - Kilili Beach
Volunteers expected: 10
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Contact: Officer Tricia M. Seman, 664-9030

DPS and Leep will pick up trash on the beach and in the public park.

NEW! Hopwood Junior High School - Hopwood Junior High School Campus and Beach
Volunteers expected: 1200
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM, 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Contact: Bree Reynolds, 237-3477

All of the students at Hopwood Junior High School are participating in 1020. They are cleaning the beach from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM and they are cleaning the campus from 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM.

NEW! McDonald's of Saipan - The road in front of both McDonald's
Volunteers expected: 10
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Jose C. Ayuyu, 235-8761

McDonald's will pick up litter on the road in front of the McDonald's on Middle Road and the McDonald's on Beach Road. McDonald's donated several boxes of trash bags and rubber gloves for cleanups throughout the island of Saipan. Please contact Angelo Villagomez if you still need gloves and bags at 483-1078.

NEW! Northern Marianas Housing Corporation - Garapan Area
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Contact: Joshua T. Sasamoto, 234-7670

NMHC will pick up litter along the road from the corner of Beach Road and American Memorial Park up to the NMHC office and then down to the intersection of Middle Road and Garapan Street.

NEW! Marianas Visitors Authority - Beach Road
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Martin Duenas, 664-3200

MVA will adopt Beach Road from National Office Supply down to the MVA office. MVA is also adopting this stretch of road and Makaka Beach for one year.

NEW! Saipan Stevedore Company, Inc - Lower Base
Volunteers expected: 15
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact: John S. Dela Cruz, 322-9240

Saipan Stevedore Company will clean the area between the SSC yard and American Memorial Park.

NEW! Saipan International School - As Lito
Volunteers expected: 200
Time: 1:55 PM - 2:30 PM
Contact: Amanda Armstrong, 288-9660

Saipan International School will clean up the area around their school.

NEW! Department of Public Works - Pao Pao Beach
Volunteers expected: 150
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Contact: Steve Hiney, 322-2745

Public Works will clean up the beach and the public park.

NEW! Marianas Eye Institute - Beach Road - South Garapan
Volunteers expected: 13
Time: 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Contact: Russ Quinn, 235-9090

Marianas Eye Institute will clean up the road and the beach in front of their office.

NEW! Children's World Daycare & Preschool - Atmayas Street - Koblerville
Volunteers expected: 14
Time: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Contact: Frannie/Vangie, 288-5162

The kids and adults will clean up Atmayas Street in Koblerville.

NEW! GTC Elementary School - San Roque Beach
Volunteers expected: 50
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Contact: Martin Dalsasom, 664-3400

The kids and adults will clean up San Roque Beach.

NEW! Kagman High School Freshman Class - Kagman High School Area
Volunteers expected: 45
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Contact: Mr. Ada, 234-5498 ext. 101

The KHS Freshman Class will clean up the school and the street near the school.

NEW! Kagman Elementary School - Kagman Elementary School Area
Volunteers expected: 700
Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Contact: Ignacia T. Demapan, 237-3967

KES will clean up the school and the surrounding streets.

NEW! Cha Cha Ocean View Junior Highschool 6th Grade - CCJHS Area
Volunteers expected: 130
Time: 8:10 AM - 8:40 AM
Contact: Betty Ann P. Cabrera, 234-5498 ext. 1011

CCJHS will clean up the school and the surrounding streets.

Northern Marianas Academy - Obyan Beach
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Brooke Nevitt, 235-5597

NMA will clean up the beach.

MOVER - Isa Drive, San Vicente Elementary to Post Office
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Contact: Marites Castillo, 234-9769

MOVER will pick up trash along the side of the road.

Office of Public Auditor - Marine Beach
Volunteers expected: 15
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Merced Ada, 322-3937

OPA will paint over the graffiti on the pala palas, plant trees on the beach, and pick up trash. They are having a bbq afterwards.

Department of Public Lands - Chalan Monsignor Guerrero from NMC Traffic Light to San Vicente School
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Contact: Evelyn Techur, 234-3751

DPL will pick up trash along the side of the road.

Saipan Community School - Saipan Community School/Church Beach Area
Volunteers expected: 100
Time: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Contact: Bobby Winkfield, 235-7007

Saipan Community School will pick up trash along the beach.

Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel & Public Health - Lally 4 Beach, from Sugardock to Pacific Gardenia Hotel
Volunteers expected: 30
Time: 7:30 AM - until they are finished
Contact: William Hunter, 235-6025

Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel has pledged to pick up litter along the beach and to plant coconuts along the beachfront.

Rep. Absalon Waki's Office & Tan Holdings - Paseo de Marianas and Garapan Tourist District
Volunteers expected: 40
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact: Rep. Waki's Office, 664-8965

Rep. Waki's Office has pledged to pick up litter in the city block encompassing the tourist district and to plant trees and landscape along Coral Tree Road. They also have equipment and trash trailers to assist in the cleanup event. Please contact Rep. Waki for assistance.

Tan Holdings has donated 1000 T-shirts to Beautify CNMI!, but they will not be ready in time for 1020.

Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office & Koblerville Community - Koblerville Substation
Volunteers expected: 30
Time: 8:00 AM - until they are finished
Contact: Rep. Kaipat's Office, 664-8974

Rep. Kaipat's Office has pledge to pick up litter in Koblerville around the substation, cut grass, and paint over graffiti. This project is part of the Beautify CNMI! plan to turn the old substation and airstrip into a public park. Rep. Kaipat is also donating water.

Kagman Kumunidat Association & Lao Lao Golf Resort - Kagman Main Road
Volunteers expected: 50
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Betty Ann P. Cabrera, 234-5498 ext 1011; Greg Camacho, 236-8888

Lao Lao Golf Resort and the Kagman Kumunidat Association have pledged to clean the road leading into Kagman from the top of the road near the gas station down to the schools. The are donating water and refreshments.

Hyatt Regency Saipan - Micro Beach
Volunteers expected: 20
Time: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact: Lin Seman, 234-1234

Hyatt Regency Saipan will clean up litter along Micro Beach in Garapan. They are donating food.

Coastal Resource Management Office - Tank Beach
Volunteers expected: 10
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Kathy Yuknavage, 664-8311

CRMO will be picking up litter and planting trees on Tank Beach.

Construction and Material Supply, Inc - Gualo Rai Intersection
Volunteers expected: 10
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Melvin J. Malvar, 234-6136

CMS will be cleaning up litter in Gualo Rai. They are donating a dump truck (5 cy. capacity) for collecting garbage in their adopted area and nearby cleanup areas. Please contact them for pickup.

Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council - Beach Road between 13 Fishermen and Gold Beach Hotel
Volunteers expected: 10
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Angelo Villagomez, 483-1078

RC&D will pick up trash on the beach and along Beach Road.

Division of Environmental Quality - Beach Road, north of 13 Fishermen
Volunteers expected: 30
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: Tina Sablan, 664-8500

DEQ will cleanup the road, the pathway, and the beach. They are also going to plant trees and paint over graffiti.

Hotel Nikko Saipan - Pau Pau Beach, fronting Hotel Nikko
Volunteers: 35
Time: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Contact: Ray de la Cruz, 237-5322

Hotel Nikko will clean litter from the beach.

A few groups wanted to do their cleanups on Saturday instead of Sunday. Saturday Cleanups:

MINA - Wing Beach
Volunteers expected: 30
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Contact: Kathy Yuknavage, 664-8311

NOTICE: THE MINA CLEANUP WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 21, NOT FRIDAY OCTOBER 20.

MINA is cleaning up Wing Beach for the fourth consecutive third Saturday of each month. They will be picking up litter on the beach and cutting the grass along the access road. Cutting the grass should cut down on the amount of illegal dumping in the area.

MINA members, in addition to cleaning Wing Beach on Saturday, are taking a leading role in other 1020 on 10/20 cleanups with their respective families, businesses, and government agencies.

Herman's Modern Bakery, MITA Travel, and Juan T. Guerrero & Associates - Airport Football Field Area
Volunteers expected: 25
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Contact: Kyle Calabrese, 234-1726

NOTICE: THE HERMAN'S BAKERY AND OTHERS CLEANUP WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 21, NOT FRIDAY OCTOBER 20.

The cleanup will take place beginning at the north from the "Francisco C. Ada Airport" sign southerly along both sides of Tun Herman Pan Road and Flame Tree Road until the intersection of Tun Herman Pan Road and International Terminal Loop (the road to CTSI), including the football field area and the slightly wooded area just south of it. The companies will provide trash bags and gloves. They are going to have a bbq for the employees afterwards.

Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners

2006-10-16T16:35:00.000+10:00

At the Arbor Day Proclamation signing this morning we announced the winners of the 2006 Arbor Day Poster Contest. There were two categories: high school and elementary school.

In the high school category, honorable mentions went to Earllon Granada, Francine Santos, Desiree Yamada, Jashlie Camacho, Joseph Cruz, Mark Reyes, Joseph Villela, Nancy Pecsan, Mia Aguon, and Kay Park of Marianas High School. First place and a $200 gift certificate to National Office Supply went to Jeff V. Serrano of Marianas High School.

In the elementary school category, honorable mentions went to Andrew Alfeche and Keena C. Leon Guerrero of Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School (GTC), Keenah Guerrero and Cassandra M. of Koblerville Elementary School, Jennycka Bery, Clariza M. Magat, and Florentina Cordero of Oleai Elementary School, J. Roberto's 6th Grade Class of Tanapag Elementary School, and Jackyln Garote of San Vicente Elementary School. Third place and a $50 gift certificate to National Office Supply went to Lance Y. Garon of GTC, Second place and a $150 gift certificate to National Office Supply went to BingJane V. Serrano of Oleai Elementary School, and First place and a $200 gift certificate to National Office Supply were awarded to Michael Y. Garon of GTC.

Each of the winners and honorable mentions received a tree to take home, an Arbor Day button, and a Beautify CNMI! bumper sticker. Trees were donated by CNMI Foresty and the gift certificates were sponsored by DNLR Secretary Dr. Ike de la Cruz, Representative Cinta M. Kaipat, Representative Edwin P. Aldan, Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, and National Office Supply.

Landeran Tangke Trail

2006-10-16T15:52:00.000+10:00

This past Sunday, Beautify CNMI! volunteers from MINA, MOVER, Marianas RC&D, DEQ, and Representative Cinta Kaipat's Office cleared and remarked the Landeran Tangke Trail in Marpi. This weekend's activity was lead by Laura Williams of Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW).

The path was slightly overgrown, so volunteers remarked the trail with pink flagging tape and cut back some of trees that were growing over the trail. The volunteers also picked up all of the trash along the trail. The trail is completely pristine right now. If people stop littering up there, we'll be able to keep it like that.

The Landeran Tangke Trail was originally created by CNMI Forestry about 20 years and was improved just a few years ago by DFW. Recently DFW created and published a trail guide in four languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The trail guides can be picked up at the American Memorial Park museum.

The trail guide will take you through the different points of interest along the trail. The trail goes in a counter clockwise loop, so you finish your hike where you started. You can expect to see most of Saipan's forest bird species on your hike. You'll very likely hear a Marianas Fruit Dove, and if you get lucky, you might even get to see one. You might also run into a coconut crab or a monitor lizard. I didn't see any, but I did find this guy clinging to a tree, Gehyra oceanica, the "Big Daddy" gecko of the CNMI:

Throughout the trail you will see lots of sharp rocks. Although they are now atop one of the higest points in Saipan, these limestone rocks were formed during the days when Saipan was underwater.

During the pre-World War II days, Japanese soldiers used these rocks as hiding places and fox holes. There are several well camoflauged fox holes along the trail. They are over 60 years old now, but with a little imagination you can envision a Japanese soldier hiding inside.

As we were finishing up our trail clearing activity, a vanload of Japanese tourists pulled in to the parking area. The local company that takes the tourists here charges them $65 for a day long outing that includes a hike, some siteseeing, lunch, snorkling, and time at their spa (it costs $40 for just the hike). The trail is inside the Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank, so this is a perfect example of environmental protection providing economic benefit.

It is also a perfect example of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. While tourists have to pay thousands of dollars to fly here, stay at a hotel and then for a guide to take them on a nature hike, the people living on Saipan get to visit the Landeran Tangke trail for free.

Lao Lao Reveg 2006

2006-10-14T14:00:00.000+10:00

The GIS specialists at CRM finished the map of the Lao Lao Reveg for 2006. Looks great!

RC&D in the News

2006-10-10T08:23:00.000+10:00

Marianas Variety, Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Cleanup yields toilet, sinks, washing machine
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE cleanup drive carried out Sunday by volunteers and litter control officers resulted in the retrieval of a toilet, old sinks and even a washing machine from a drainage area in the Garapan tourist district.

The cleanup started at 8 a.m., and was part of Beautify CNMI!’s ongoing islandwide campaign.

Despite the rain, the group of Sunday Beach Baggers which was composed of recently appointed litter control officers and a growing number volunteers collected garbage along a stretch of beach between two hotels.

The Division of Environmental Quality’s Beach Brigade and representatives from the office of Rep. Absalom Waki, Covenant-Saipan, also took part in the cleanup drive.
They started the cleanup at American Memorial Park before proceeding to the beach.
They collected plastic, cigarette butts, candy wrappers and beach debris washed ashore during last week’s weather disturbance.

The group trimmed trees and distributed garbage bags to people at the beach. The beach baggers also informed them about the anti-litter campaign.

Angelo Villagomez of the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council is urging the public to join their cleanup efforts and adopt areas for a cleanup drive even for a single hour.