(MTEC) — Nature came up close and personal for student members and chaperones of school MY WAVE — Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically — Clubs at the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Friday, Jan. 19.
In line with the theme “Green Spaces, Memorable Places/Kåmpun Betdi, Kåmpun Rikuetdu/Llingil Leyil Walúwal,” approximately 300 attendees were bussed to iconic tourism spots in the lush greenery of Marpi, Saipan, where guest speakers shared about various eco-tourism topics.
At Last Command Post students learned how to identify several bird species by sight and sound — including the Marianas Kingfisher and Marianas fruit dove — from Dr. Willson Gaul, who teaches biology at Northern Marianas College, and his team members Rabeya Aktar and April Lisua. Students were then given the opportunity to listen for bird calls themselves, and some caught a rare sight of the endangered Marianas fruit dove, a Micronesian starling, and other species.
At Bird Island Lookout, Run Saipan President Edward S. Dela Cruz Jr. drove home the importance of tourism for the students and their families and shared his experience and passion for racing and organizing race events in the Marianas for residents and visitors. To the delight of the participants, a pod of dolphins made a rare appearance at the iconic overlook during the summit.
With high winds pushing the ocean spray above the cliff line at dive site Banzai Cliff, PADI instructor Sydney Takahashi — the owner and operator of FishGuyz — taught students about different ways coral reefs can be damaged and encouraged the MY WAVE Club members to be ocean protectors.
“It was amazing! Working with the kids also taught me a lot,” said Takahashi, who has worked as a dive instructor in both Saipan and Hawaii. “I wish they continue doing this…it’s a very, very good program.”
During the tour, select students served as tour guides on their respective buses, sharing information about the tour sites. The summit aimed to inspire students with information and activities focused on the Marianas’ primary economic driver, tourism. This year’s summit focused on the importance of trees, forests, and other natural green spaces, particularly with the desire of today’s traveler for environmental conservation and physical, mental, and spiritual rejuvenation. Following the Marpi tours, students planted a total of 10 trees at Garapan Central Park and Sugar King Park, with the support of the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Department of Lands & Natural Resources- Division of Agriculture.
“With the support of the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Hotel Association of the NMI, we were able to accommodate a large number of students in this year’s MTEC Tourism Summit,” said MTEC Chairwoman Vicky Benavente. “We’re extremely grateful to the schools’ club advisors, who have dedicated their time to help us teach about the importance of caring for our islands’ natural resources.”
At Garapan Central Park students also visited educational exhibits by American Memorial Park; the Division of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Education Program, the Sea Turtle Conservation Program, and Fisheries Conservation & Management; the Department of Land & Natural Resources enforcement officers; the Marianas Visitors Authority; Northern Marianas College; the Micronesian Islands Nature Alliance; the Northern Marianas Museum of History & Culture; the Northern Marianas Technical Institute; the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Fish & Wildlife.
MTEC’s outreach activities this school year are supported by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and MVA.
For more information on MTEC or starting a school MY WAVE club, contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200/1.
Rabeya Aktar of Northern Marianas College teaches bird names and bird calls to students at Last Command Post in Marpi, Saipan, during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024.
MY WAVE Club members catch sight of an endangered Marianas fruit dove at Last Command Post in Marpi during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024.
Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz, Jr. engages MY WAVE Club students at Bird Island Lookout in Marpi during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024.
Fishguyz owner and PADI instructor Sydney Takahashi engages students with a presentation about ocean protection at Banzai Cliff in Marpi during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024,
MY WAVE Club members learn about sea turtles from the Division of Fish & Wildlife at Garapan Central Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024.
MY WAVE Club members learn from the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance about the dangers of marine debris at Garapan Central Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 19, 2024.
Northern Marianas College President and Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit 2024 Committee Chairman Galvin Deleon Guerrero welcomes students at Garapan Central Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council on Jan. 19, 2024. Earlier in the day, students had educational lectures at major tourist sites in Marpi.
MY WAVE Club members of Da’ok Academy plant a tree at Garapan Central Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council on Jan. 19, 2024. In all, clubs planted 10 trees at Garapan Central Park and Sugar King Park.
Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda, back right, leads MY WAVE Club students and chaperones of Garapan Elementary School in a tree planting activity at Garapan Central Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council on Jan. 19, 2024. In all, clubs planted 10 trees at Garapan Central Park and Sugar King Park.
MY WAVE Club students and chaperones of Tanapag Middle School plant a tree at Sugar King Park during the Marianas Tourism Education Council on Jan. 19, 2024. In all, clubs planted 10 trees at Garapan Central Park and Sugar King Park.
