Archives

August 2010

Get to Know Us, Get Involved

As part of our on-going effort to increase public awareness of debris polluting Saipan shores,MINA would like to call on its members and all other interested individuals to volunteer their time to help promote an Island Culture of Recycling, aimed specifically at reducing the debris found in the waters surrounding our island. Your time and efforts will assist us in meeting the Micronesian Challenge.  If you wish to volunteer and make a difference, you may contact Sam Sablan or Karen T. Cabrera at the MINA office at telephone number 233 – REEF (7333), or send us an email at admin@minapacific.org.

Dr. Tighe presents Eco-tourism

Marine Science and Policy advisor Dr. Stacey A. Tighe, based in Honolulu, HI, discussed the many aspects of ecotourism and why it would be beneficial to the CNMI economy during a special presentation held at the American Memorial Park auditorium on August 11, 2010.

Dr. Tighe left nothing out of her one-hour presentation, covering everything from Why ecotourism? and Why the CNMI? to the Themes, Scale, and “Flavors” of sustainable tourism.  She offered a memorable quote regarding how ecotourism should be treated, saying “Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints and Waste Nothing but Time”, which was listed as one of the basic fundamentals of sustainable tourism.

Prior to the beginning of her presentation Dr. Tighe thanked all the individuals present and MINA for promoting the event amongst its members and members of the local community.  The presentation was well attended by all interested individuals.

Click here to see media coverage by the Marianas Variety and Saipan Tribune.

2010 International Coastal Clean Up Day

Greetings & Hafa Adai;

Once a year, the people of the CNMI are given one chance to make a difference on an international scale.  Every year more than half-a-million individuals work together as a team united by one common purpose--to remove trash and debris from our land and ocean.  Volunteers in more than 100 countries dedicate this single day to making the biggest environmental impact by picking up all sorts of trash, from cigarette butts to fishing string; if it's not green and doesn't grow, it gets picked up!

Through the Ocean Conservancy, MINA (Mariana Islands Nature Alliance) localizes these international clean-up efforts by calling on all of its members, concerned citizens of the community, and all other individual and corporate volunteers to participate in this annual event.  For the second consecutive year, MINA is reaching out to make a positive impact on the island that more than 60,000 residents call home.

On Saturday, September 25, 2010, volunteers will be combing through PauPau Beach from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in an effort to remove marine debris from the beach and shoreline.

Together we can make a difference!

For more information contact Sam Sablan or Karen Tenorio Cabrera at the MINA office!

Click here to download the official registration form.

To learn more about International Coastal Clean Up Day visit the Ocean Conservancy's official website.  

233 REEF
admin@minapacific.org

National Geographic & Canon Photo of the Month

Photographer Kurt W. Baumgartner donated ten high resolution photos featuring some of the endangered species found in the Marianas to MINA in May of this year.  The photos were shipped to Saipan just in time to be displayed at MINA's annual General Membership Meeting.  In front of a full house of then existing and new members, MINA moved through the agenda, but not before thanking the photographer and highlighting his photos, which were displayed around the venue for all members to enjoy.  Ranging from the Marianas Crow, to the Marianas Fruit Bat, to the common Tree Snail, MINA members were impressed with the photos, evident by their unending warm comments and expressions of gratitude.

Since then MINA has been displaying the photos at DFS Galleria, and in the coming months this photo presentation will be moved to another venue (that will be announced at a later date) and to the CNMI Museum for the scheduled Coral Reef Taskforce meeting taking place next month.  Additionally, Kurt W. Baumgartner's photo of a Palawan peacock-pheasant was featured in July's issue of National Geographic, selected by Canon as that month's issue of Wildlife As Canon Sees It.

Pacific Ocean Is Home of Rare Coral

An underwater survey of an atoll in the Marshall Islands accidentally lead Australia's Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies researchers to discover a colony of the world's most rare coral, the Pacific elkhorn, scientifically known as the Acropora rotumana.

Further information, including a photo of the Pacific elkhorn coral, can be found here.

 
 
A talk on "Eco-tourism - good for the CNMI?" 

will be presented by Stacey A. Tighe on Wednesday, August 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the American Memorial Park auditorium (place not yet confirmed).  She will discuss costs and benefits of alternative options, and their compatibility, feasibility in the CNMI.  Tighe holds degrees in marine policy, biology and geology, and currently serves as Senior Regional Coordinator and Program Integrator for U.S. support to the six countries on the Coral Triangle Initiative (Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands).

July 2010

Second Installment of First Friday Films: Sharkwater

Queue the shark music and mark your calendars for the  31 time international award winning documentary Sharkwater.  The second installment of First Friday Films will feature a free showing of the film on August 6th, 7:00 PM at the American Memorial Park Visitor’s Center.

Sharkwater offers a unique insight of the important role sharks play in our oceans.  Director Rob Stewart, addresses how the fear of sharks had led to their mismanagement and how the killing of sharks is damaging to ocean ecosystems and ultimately to humans.

This film along with every other "First Friday Film" is free and open to the public.  Any further information can be found here.

Calling On All Volunteers!

As part of our on-going effort to increase public awareness of debris polluting Saipan shores, MINA would like to call on its members and all other interested individuals to volunteer their time to help promote an Island Culture of Recycling, aimed specifically at reducing the debris found in the waters surrounding our island. Your time and efforts will assist us in meeting the Micronesian Challenge.  If you wish to volunteer and make a difference, you may contact Sam Sablan or Karen T. Cabrera at the MINA office at telephone number 233 – REEF (7333), or send us an email at admin@minapacific.org.

      

Saipan Tribune features MINA's Endangered Species Display at DFS Galleria

(a copy of the following article can be found here)

DFS photo exhibit showcases NMI's endangered birds

      By DENCIO MANGLONA
                                                              Student Intern

Tourists browsing through merchandise at the Duty Free Galleria Saipan are currently being treated to a photo exhibit featuring some of the CNMI's endangered birds.

Veteran nature photographer Kurt Baungartner, in coordination with the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, came up with the exhibit to support the Micronesian Challenge, a preservation effort by Micronesian territories to preserve their natural resources. In this case, the culturally essential birds of the CNMI. 

“We wanted to showcase the wildlife of Saipan,” said DFS assistant general manager Vicente Babauta. 

The DFS exhibit displays just a few of the photos taken by Baumgartner and includes the Nightingale Reed Warbler and Golden White-eye birds. 

Baumgartner's contribution to MINA's efforts in the Micronesian Challenge was well received by the MINA board, according to board member Agnes “Sam” Sablan. MINA received numerous fauna photographs from Baumgartner earlier this year and, together with his wife, arranged for them to be displayed to promote public preservation awareness. 

“We're catching up with FSM [Federated States of Micronesia] and because of this [contribution], the people of Saipan,” Sablan said.

Copies of the photographs are currently available for purchase and proceeds will fund MINA projects. 

MINA members got the chance to look at the photos at the organization's annual membership meeting last April this year. 

Baumgartner is a long-time conservationist photographer and has been a member of MINA since the nature organization's inception in May 2005. His photos have been featured in magazines such as the National Geographic.

The exhibit displayed at DFS will be moved around to other public areas, according to Sablan, with the Northern Marianas College being the next venue

MINA Takes Third Place at the Make-A-Wish  “A Child's Wish.” Sandcastle Competition

MINA's 2010 Sancastle

The MINA team, composed of MINA officers Alex Sablan, Ben Babauta and Ron Smith as well as MINA member Wongduen "Moon" Phanthajaitham spent a day at the beach hauling water and shoveling sand to help benefit the Saipan Make-A-Wish Foundation. Hours of sweat and toil paid off unexpectedly in a third-place finish. The MINA entry, showing a dolphin on top of a building, expresses a child's wish that endangered and threatened species will be able to survive and eventually overcome the pressures caused by human activiites. MINA donated back the $100 cash third prize to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

MINA Sponsors First Friday Film - Black Wave

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) together with the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is sponsoring the First Friday Films which will commence on Friday, July 2, 2010 at the American Memorial Park Visitors Center. The first feature film will be Black Wave, a film about the 20-year legacy of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. A discussion will follow about the ongoing oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

April 2010

General Membership Meeting

MINA's annual general membership meeting was held on April 30th, 2010 at Shenanigan's Restaurant.  The meeting was warmly attended by many current members and welcomed the enrollment of new members as well.  All individuals present were able to enjoy the photography of Mr. Kurt Baumgartner, whose photos were displayed around the venue to highlight the endangered species of the CNMI.

The meeting began at 6:30 PM, where Chairwoman Frances Castro gave her welcoming remarks before turning the floor over to the Marine Debris Project Manager Kathy Yuknavage and TNC's Tina Leberer for updates and information.  Members were able to enjoy their dinner with bottomless wine while listening to presentations and reports.  Following dinner was the door prize raffle, made possible by PTC, Docomo, NMC, Tan Holdings, Triple J Wholesale, and DFS.

Message from the Chairwoman

Dear MINA Members,

On behalf of the MINA Board of Directors, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you for joining us at the MINA Annual Membership meeting on Friday, April 30, 2010 at Shenanigan’s Restaurant. Your interest in our work really shows how we are all working towards the same goal of protecting and caring about our natural resources.

As a reminder, don’t forget to sign up for any of our committees. You can email each committee chair directly about your interests. We are always happy to see our members working with us to better our environment and protect our natural resources. Also, please let us know if you have any ideas for projects that you think we should do to engage the community. Your ideas are always welcomed.

As I mentioned in our annual meeting, our committees are as follows:

Programs & Grants Committee: identifies, develops and implements educational programs/activities that enable MINA to carry out its mission and achieves its strategic plan of action. This committee finds, recommends and applies for grants (local, regional, federal) to fund these educational programs/activities. (Chaired by Fran Castro: castro.fran@gmail.com)


Membership & Public Relations Committee: develops and implements plans to ensure the retention and growth of MINA’s membership. This committee is also responsible for ensuring a positive dialogue between MINA and the community, media, environmental & conservation community based organizations as well as government organizations (local, regional, etc). (Chaired by Ben Babauta: vicente.babauta@dfs.com)


Fiscal Affairs/Fundraising Committee: is responsible for ensuring MINA financial accountability as well planning and implementing an event or series of events to raise funds to support MINA programs and activities. (Chaired by Alex Sablan: saiship@pticom.com)

Climate Change Committee:to promote awareness in the communities about the impacts of climate change and how they can adapt. (Chaired by Ron Smith: ron@angildesign.com)

Again, thank you so much and we look forward to working with you. Please visit us at the MINA office anytime.

Fran Castro
Chair, MINA

January 2010

MINA Receives $200 from Marianas Bikini Open 2010

MINA was chosen as the receipient of the proceeds from the Marianas Bikini Open 2010 by Hard Rock Cafe and Event Coordinator Sharmaine Esquero.   The event featured contestants wearing costumes made from recycled materials, formal wear, and other clothes provided by sponsors such as Hard Rock Cafe.   The event is intended to highlight environmental issues among the youth on the islands. 

 

November 2009

Educators 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:

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

 

Kids4Kids Carnival RESCHEDULED to November 11th

Please join us November 11th at the World Resort Jungle Park to meet Sponge Bob and Dora the Explorer. Stop by MINA's Marine Debris Removal learning station to find out what you can do to keep Sponge Bob's home free and clear of marine debris.

October 2009

MINA organizes 350 event - A Call for Climate Action

On October 24th—People from around Saipan will gather to participate in the largest day of climate change activism ever. Participants will join more than 2,000 communities in over 150 countries as part of a global day of action coordinated by 350.org to urge world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Events in Saipan will include:

All events will occur at approximately 9:00 a.m. on October 24, 2009.

September 2009

MINA Receives Marine Debris Grant

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) aims to cut the amount of Saipan's marine debris and promote recycling through a project newly funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program.

A local nonprofit, MINA received a $100,000 competitive grant from NOAA to fund its project titled, “Establish an Island Culture of Recycling to Reduce Marine Debris in Saipan’s Waters.”

Through the grant, industrialized recycling bins will be purchased and placed in 7 high traffic beach sites. The project objectives are to: 1) prevent harm to living marine resources by reducing the amount of land-based marine debris entering Saipan’s waters; 2) restore natural scenic views to revive the CNMI as an eco-tourism destination; and 3) extend the life of Saipan’s Landfill through increased recycling.

MINA will accomplish these objectives by conducting an 18-month Marine Debris Education and Outreach Campaign to increase public awareness of debris impact by 25% and to establish an Island Culture of Recycling, through the promotion of proper waste separation and disposal, thereby reducing the amount of land-based sources of marine debris by 70%. These strategies will remove both real and perceived barriers to proper waste disposal, resulting in a decrease of beach litter and marine debris.

MINA will also partner with businesses to promote a community “Adopt-A-Bin” Program, which will pay for recycling bin acquisition and, maintenance and  waste hauling. Each business will be able to place their logo on bins, sponsoring them for one (1) or more years. The program will promote and provide recognition for Saipan's eco-friendly and community-oriented businesses. 

The grant also provides job opportunities for a part-time Executive Director and a project manager for the Marine Debris program.

MINA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the diverse natural resources of the Northern Mariana Islands. MINA's members come from all walks of life and are united by the clear understanding that the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have the right and responsibility to act as stewards of their natural inheritance.

For more information, please contact the MINA Office at 670.233.7333, email mina@minapacific.org  or visit http://minapacific.org.

June 2009

Pacific Islands Environment Conference

Register for the Pacific Islands Environment Conference which will be held on June 22-26, 2009 at the Saipan World Resort.  You can register online at www.deq.gov.mp.  Topics include: alternative energy, climate change, the Micronesia Challenge, Marianas Military Buildup, Coral Reefs and Watersheds, Brownfields, Water and Wastewater and Education and Outreach.

February 2009

US Military Expansion

Would you like to comment or express your concerns about the proposed expansion of US military training exercises in the CNMI?

A copy of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Mariana Islands Range Complex as well as a comment submission form is available at the Mariana Islands Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement website.

NEPA workshop

Public hearings are an important part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Want to learn more about your role? MINA will be co-hosting a NEPA workshop for the general public this Summer in coordination with the National Park Service. The specific date and time will be announced via email and on this webpage approximately two weeks before the event.

Talakhaya revegetation continues!

A total of 21, 498 tree and grass seedlings were planted at the Talakhaya watershed.

The watershed is located on the island of Rota.  It has suffered from illegal burning and severe soil erosion.  Local resource agencies, schools, community organizations and volunteers are partnering to restore this watershed. 

MINA continues to assist in this revegetation project in facilitating the payment of volunteer stipends to approximately 25 unemployed residents of the island of Rota.  Future revegetation efforts are in the planning phase.  

September 2008

Coral Reef Teacher Camp

On September 4th and 5th Coastal Resources Management Office, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, and the Pride Campaign hosted the 2008 Coral Reef Teacher Camp. Working in conjunction with PSS Professional Development days, the Teacher Camp was an opportunity for teachers to learn about the CNMI’s coral reefs and how to incorporate coral reef education into their lesson plans.

During the two day camp, experts from the Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Division of Environmental Quality, Coastal Resources Management Office, and MINA discussed with teachers a range of topics from coral reef biology to enforcement. The group also went on field trips to talk and learn about coral reefs outside the classroom and in the field.

In addition to these activities, teachers met Primo, the Yellow Crowned Butterflyfish. As the mascot for the CNMI Pride Campaign, Primo’s mission is to introduce the community to his special species and remind people about the importance of caring for our reefs.  The Yellow Crowned Butterflyfish is found only in the Marianas—no where else in the world!  If you see Primo at school, at the Street Market, or any other event, be sure to say “hi.” 

To successfully complete the camp, each teacher will contribute three lesson plans. Two of which will take place in the classroom, and one which will take students out into the field for a “hands-on” learning experience. And, it doesn’t end there. These lesson plans will be shared with other teachers and incorporated into next year’s teacher camp program.  

For more information, or to participate in the next Teacher Camp, call Brooke Nevitt at Coastal Resources Management Office 664-8320 or send an e-mail to pridecnmi@gmail.com.

May, 2008

Thank You Light in the Eve!

L-R MINA Board Member Reina Camacho, LITE's Peter Sablan, LITE President Teresa Kim, MINA Chair Fran Castro, MINA Vice-Chair Laurence Boyer, MINA Secretary Chuck Sayon
and MINA Board Member Ron Smith accept the check from Light in the Eve.

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) received $6,000 from the Light in the Eve Foundation (LITE) at MINA's annual general membership meeting held on Friday, May 30 at the Fiesta Resort and Spa.   The $6,000 will go towards the 2008 Teacher Summer Camp.

New Board Member

MINA would like to welcome their new board member, Ms. Agnes M. Sablan also known as Sam.   Sam has recently moved back to her home in Saipan.  She is also a member of Famoksaiyan,  a successful nonprofit organization in Northern California.  Sam also attended the Government of New Zealand and the South Pacific Commission's (SPC) Fisheries Training Section for Seafood Enterprise Operations and Management for Pacific Island Women, and also graduated from the School of Culinary Arts in San Francisco.

Board Size Reduced

By vote of the board, the MINA By-Laws have been amended to reduce the number of the Board of Directors to 9.

Current Board Members

Frances A. Castro, Chair
Laurence Boyer, Vice-Chair
Chuck F. Sayon, Secretary
Vacant, Treasurer
Kathy L. Yuknavage, Board Member
Reina C. Camacho, Board Member
Ron Smith, Board Member
Agnes M. Sablan, Board Member

November 2007

Obyan Rehabilitation Project:

Obyan Project Obyan Project Obyan Project

Over 25 volunteers from the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) membership, and other government, and non-government organizations within the Beautify CNMI! coalition, toiled in the rain on November 10, 2007 to address erosion at Obyan Beach. Several coirs of natural fiber were installed as a non-point source pollution prevention best management practice. Volunteers learned how to roll and secure the coirs using “nanaso” (Scaevola sericea) shrubs to create a stormwater barrier for dispersing run off.

Historical Preservation Office Archaeologist, Ronnie Rogers, assisted with the planting and noted that erosion has been a problem for some time at the site, “so much soil has been removed from some areas that we were seeing pit features, including burials, exposed after hard rains.  Blocking off the area to prevent vehicular access and re-establishing plants has stabilized the site and protected it from further damage. This project is a good example of how protecting natural resources can also protect our cultural resources.”

MINA Project Coordinator, Kathy Yuknavage, said that “Saturday’s planting was successful thanks to guidance from NRCS and DLNR Division of Forestry; and the materials provided through grants from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA.” She also thanked the Beautify CNMI! coalition for donating refreshments towards the cause. At the end of the day two lucky volunteers won water park passes to attend MINA’s fundraising event held at PIC on Veteran’s Day.

Update 01/28/2008: Then & Now:

Obyan Before Obyan After
Lower Parking Area, before and after

Obyan Before Obyan After
First Access, before and after

Also see "Improving Beach Access"

Last Updated: 2/20/2009 11:14:05 AM