Free Coral Reef Watershed Webinar

Teaching Ocean Connections: Watersheds to Reefs, Wednesday March 30 at 7:00pm Eastern - Free Registration http://eeweek.org/webinars/watersheds_reefs as part of the National Environmental Education Week

What is a Species of Special Concern?

You've probably heard of Threatened or Endangered species, but there is another category- Species of Concern that aren't considered close enough to extinction for formal listing, but are in bad shape. In CNMI the Atuhong or Bumphead Parrotfish and Tangison or Humphead Wrasse are locally and federally considered Species of Concern. Although the Tangison is still seen around the islands, the Atuhong is becoming rarer and rarer and is currently being considered for Federal listing as either threatened or endangered. Learn more at the SOC website.

Journal of Micronesian Fishing

The Journal of Micronesian Fishing is a publication covering all aspects of the art of fishing in the region. The fifth issue features articles provided by European Union funded community-based conservation projects from Chuuk, Yap and Pohnpei. An independent article discusses the cultural and traditional uses of sea turtles in the Central Caroline islands. The current (and past) issues can be browsed online or downloaded in pdf format at www.micronesianfishing.com

WPCRI Announces Scholarship at University of Guam

The Western Pacific Coral Reef Institute (WPCRI) is a cooperative agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research and the University of Guam (UOG). We are pleased to announce the availability of scholarships to resident students wishing to study at UOG. As part of our capacity building effort, WPCRI will avail opportunities to combine sociocultural and traditional ecological knowledge with technical and scientific perspectives that will foster a stronger interest in natural resource management among local indigenous and other minority groups within the region. WPCRI anticipates issuing 7 scholarships based on a 16-credit semester to five (5) undergraduate and two (2) graduate students to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books in the amount of up to $4,228 for undergraduate and $5,376 for graduate programs based on the availability of funds.

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR SPRING 2011 IS DECEMBER 28, 2010. Please help spread the word.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION at the UOG Financial Aid Website http://www.uog.edu/financialaid
For more information on WPCRI visit our website at http://www.uog.edu/wpcri

Sea Turtle Outreach Meeting

If you are interested in helping to provide outreach at local classes and environmental events, there will be a coordinating meeting at PMRI (next to Naked Fish on Beach Road) this Wednesday Nov. 24 at 1 pm. The group will work on the primary outreach message for the year and also share currently available resources along with coordinating outreach activities.

Importance of water conservation featured at next First Friday Films

Blue Gold: World Water Wars, a film about the conflicts arising from the world’s dwindling freshwater supply, premieres at the next “First Friday Films” at American Memorial Park Visitors Center on Nov. 5. At 6:30 p.m.

Blue Gold: World Water Wars, a film directed by Sam Bozzo, conceives how a seemingly plentiful natural resource, water, could actually spur war. The film examines how large corporations and private investors are buying territories where there are abundant supplies of water, and what everyday citizens can do to collect and conserve water. Blue gold makes a strong case for community awareness and action. It also highlights some success stories of water activists around the globe.

After the film, Derek Chambers, Division of Environmental, will discuss where our tap and drinking water come from on Saipan and highlight ways we can become better stewards of this precious resource. The Visitor’s Center lobby will also feature an exhibit about the declining supply of global freshwater and ways we can help conserve it.

For planning purposes, the movie runs about 90 minutes long. As always, “First Friday Films” is free and open to the public. Find more information at www.firstfridayfilmssaipan.blogspot.com. Subscribe to the blog for regular updates on upcoming events.

Sea Turtle Volunteer Program Meeting

There will be a sea turtle conservation volunteer meeting this Friday at 11:40. The meeting is open to anyone interested in helping sea turtle conservation in CNMI. The meeting will be at the Pacific Marine Resources Institute office next to Naked Fish Bar&Grill on Beach Road. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided or bring your own lunch-- its an informal meeting.