Teachers go to camp to explore connections between land and sea

Educators from around the island explored ways to bring coral reef education into their classrooms at the 2009 Teacher Camp.

The teacher workshop based on the “Ridge to Reef” theme looked at the connections between land and sea, and explored ways in which teachers can share that knowledge with students. Land-based pollution is one of the greatest threats to coral reefs today.

Together with field experts, the teachers toured Kagman Wetland Education Island, Garapan Watershed and Tank Beach – part of the Forbidden Island Marine Sanctuary. The camp was held Saturday, Nov. 21.

Teachers took home activity folders, which will help them develop lesson plans. As a follow-up to the camp, upon completion of three “Ridge to Reef”-related lesson plans, teachers and their classes will embark on educational field trips funded by Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA).

The camp is a combined effort of MINA, Coastal Resources Management Office, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Division of Environmental Quality and the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative.

The following is a list of camp presenters and topics:
Brooke Nevitt, Coastal Resources Management, Ridge to Reef: Making the Connections
Lisa Eller, Division of Environmental Quality, Watersheds
Laura Williams, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Wetlands
Kathy Yuknavage, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Marine Debris

To learn more about upcoming Teacher Camps, contact Brooke Nevitt, CRM Education and Outreach Coordinator at 664-8300.

Participants assessing their experience at Teacher Camp.

Educators exploring Tank Beach in Forbidden Island Marine Sanctuary.

Teachers looking for sources of pollution in a watershed scavenger hunt in Garapan.

CNMI joins call for climate change action in global 350.org demonstration

SAIPAN—On Saturday morning, Saipan residents joined people in 181 countries for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At more than 5,200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Around the world —from capitol cities to the melting slopes of Mount Everest, even underwater on dying coral reefs—people held rallies aimed at focusing attention on the number 350 because scientists have insisted in recent years that 350 parts per million is the most carbon dioxide we can safely have in the atmosphere. The current CO2 concentration is 390 parts per million.

“That’s why glaciers and sea ice are melting, drought is spreading, and flooding is on the increase,” said Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author twenty years ago of the first major book on climate change. “And it’s why we need a huge worldwide movement to give us the momentum to make real political change. Our leaders have heard from major corporations and big polluters for a long time—today, finally, they heard from citizens and scientists.”

Saipan Fatuul Canoe Club organized a 350 photo with paddlers at the Micronesian Cup Competition.

Community members gathered in front of Mt. Carmel Cathedral church to pose for a 350 photo in recognition of the issue of climate change.

The CNMI Marine Monitoring Team organized a 350 photo at one of several coral bleaching sites.

The Division of Environmental Quality and Coastal Resources Management Office organized a 350 photo during the Green Business Initiative Eco-bag giveaway at Payless Market – a monthly event to promote reducing the use of plastic bags.

coco blog

Rota Fiesta 2009!

Brooke (CRM), Olivia and I (DEQ) went to Rota this weekend to do outreach at the Rota Fiesta. The whole community gathers for this annual event - so it's the perfect place to meet and share. We had a blast teaching about coral reefs, marine protected areas, marine debris, nonpoint source pollution, watersheds and more. We also had some off time to enjoy the beautiful island.

Olivia handing goodies to kids for answering watershed and nonpoint source pollution questions.

Learning about watersheds with the enviroscape model and playing marine debris games.

Brooke playing the Pride Challenge with children. Question topics include MPAs and marine species.

Marine debris data from the Coastal Cleanup

Volunteer groups who took part in the International Coastal Cleanup were asked to tally the types of marine debris they encountered. Although we've only gotten a handful of data sheets back from Tinian and Saipan, the data so far is pretty interesting - considering that most of these things stick around hundreds of years!

I'm listing the most common debris here:

1. Cigarette butts- 3,555
2. Caps and lids - 3,046
3. Plastic beverage bottles - 2,567
4. Beverage cans - 2,201
5. Cups, plates, etc. - 1,523
6. Pull tabs - 1,109
7. Glass beverage bottles - 758
8. Plastic bags - 576

Thanks to all the groups who took the time to collect this important information. It will all be submitted to the Ocean Conservancy for its annual worldwide report on marine debris.

Beautify CNMI announces slogan and bumper sticker contest

Beautify CNMI is looking for a new slogan following the successful “What we do on the land can affect our marine environment” campaign started in 2006.

In order to find a new slogan, Beautify CNMI is looking to the community for help.

Artists are being asked to come up with a slogan and to design a bumper sticker that goes along with their slogan. The winner will receive $150 cash and fifty of their winning bumper stickers to give out to friends and family.

The contest is open to all residents of all ages of the Commonwealth. Guidelines for the slogan contest are:

• must be original
• must be relevant to the actions and mission of Beautify CNMI.
• The bumper sticker can be square or horizontally rectangular.
• Artists and participants can submit more than one design and more than one artist can work together on a single submission.
• Designs may be by free-hand sketch, drawing or computer generated, but must be in electronic format to be considered.
• Entries must be submitted by noon on October 24, 2009 and must include the artist's full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address if available.

A brief statement explaining the design and slogan may accompany entries.

All entries will become the property of Beautify CNMI and can be used freely by Beautify CNMI and must be received on or before Thursday, October 24, 2009 at noon. Entries are to be submitted via email to angelovillagomez@gmail.com.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to modify the winning logo at any time but when possible, Beautify CNMI will work with the original artists to make these changes.

Beautify CNMI reserves the right to correct any information that appears in this contest in error and is not responsible for omissions.

For inquiries contact Angelo Villagomez at 670 285 6462

CNMI Coastal Cleanup a Success!

A big thank you to everyone who volunteered for the International Coastal Cleanup!! In Saipan alone, we collected 7,900 pounds of garbage. Most importantly, the cleanup brought our communities together in stewardship of our environment. We hope for many more educational community events that bring together groups on Tinian, Saipan and Rota.

Photos from our Marine Debris Learning Station at 13 Fishermen:

Kids playing the marine debris timeline game.

School group tallying types of debris collected

Tan Holdings at TSL Plaza Beach to Carolinian Village:

Courtesy Ed Arriola at Tan Holdings

Paseo De Marianas at Makaka Beach:

PDM Promoters before the cleanup

After the cleanup...