By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Marianas Resources Conservation and Development Council Inc. yesterday announced the grand opening of an “educational island” in Kagman on Jan. 30.
The “island” is a U.S. Department of Agriculture wetland project located along Chacha Road at the foot of the big hill in Kagman, said MRCD coordinator and Beautify CNMI!’s Angelo Villagomez.
He said the project aims to slow down the erosion in the Kagman watershed while showcasing how the watershed works and how the water actually flows to avoid erosion.
Villagomez said the “educational island” will be open to the public, especially students.
He said the project has been going on for a couple of years as part of the original USDA plan to build a structure with an environmental and educational component.
“It’s a constructed wetland. It’s not a natural one. And this project is to show the public what a constructed wetland does, how it works, how it slows down erosion and how it purifies the water,” Villagomez said.
“It’s just like a park where the kids can go,” he added, “and it can be a place where anybody can go down anytime. It’s something built for the public to learn about watershed science.”
Villagomez said any one interested in a field trip can contact him at 483-1078.