Bring Back Our Trees

 
 

 

 

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) in partnership with the Meaningful Arboriculture to Limit Vulnerability in Urban and Community Areas (MALU) Initiative leads the Bring Back Our Trees (BBOT) Program. BBOT aims to plant native or introduced agroforestry species in public spaces, empower the community in expanding tree canopies for native wildlife and island resilience, and provide career and workforce development opportunities in the CNMI.

 

BBOT Goal: Plant 700 trees on Saipan by the end of June 2026!

 

Collaboration at the Roots

Partnership is at the heart of BBOT’s success. Our key local partners are the CNMI Forestry and NMC Cooperative Research Education Extension Services (NMC CREES). CNMI Forestry propagates the trees, provides forestry expertise, and additional labor. MINA sources fruiting trees from private nurseries to support and promote sustainable agroforestry practices. MINA invites all to collaborate, especially since “It takes a village” to plant and grow a tree to maturity. 

 

Our Story 

BBOT was born from a shared mission to restore the island’s tree canopy lost to Super Typhoon Soudelor (2015) and Super Typhoon Yutu (2018). Since its inception, more than 1,000 trees have been planted with the help of MINA staff, Tasi Watch Rangers, community partners, and dedicated volunteers. Each tree planted brings benefits, such as storm protection and stormwater filtration, and one step closer to a more resilient CNMI.

 

 

 

 

Get Involved!

Join us in bringing back our trees! Volunteer for a planting event, suggest a new area for reforestation, or invite us to share about urban and community forestry in your school or organization. Contact minaoutreach@gmail.com with your interest. Every tree counts, and so does every helping hand from the community.

 

See the Impact

Explore our progress through the Trees At Work Spatial Accomplishment Dashboard!

Simply toggle “Mariana Islands Nature Alliance” under Awardee to view the number and locations of trees planted on Saipan, along with other information. 

 

Previous Campaign

Initiated through funding from the Department of Interior, BBOT began with a goal of plant 300 trees. The results surpassed expectations: more than 200 volunteers participated in planting over 1,000 trees at 14 different sites on Saipan. The Saipan sites are Tanapag Beach Park, 13 Fishermen, Garapan Fishing Base, Sugar Dock (Bantalan), San Isidro Beach Park (Laly 4), San Antonio Beach Park (Pak Pak), Laolao Bay, Micro Beach, Gualo Rai Center, Chalan Kanoa Youth Center, Susupe Beach Park, Pau Pau Beach Park, and Dan Dan Homestead Children’s Park. Kammer Beach on Tinian was included. MINA proudly credits this success to staff, partners, volunteers, and community groups at the time whose contribution brought a greener CNMI.