FIFTH-GRADE students gathered on the CNMI Museum grounds earlier this week for the annual Environmental Expo hosted by the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality.
Last year, due to the rise in positive Covid-19 cases in the local community, the expo was held virtually.
The expo is held every April, in celebration of Environmental Awareness Month, and features a number of environmental exhibitors.
Joining BECQ as exhibitors were the CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries, CNMI Zoning, the Friends of the Mariana Trench, the Marianas Avifauna Conservation, the Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Educational Services, the Pacific Bird Conservation, the U.S. Department of the Interior-Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the U.S. National Park Service-American Memorial Park.
The fifth-grade students, educators, and chaperones were taught various crucial environmental topics, including the Marianas Trench Monument, marine debris, coastal zone protection and conservation, the Farm Bill program and land use; native bird preservation, maintenance, and self-sustaining establishment; planktons, copepod production as a means of live feed for marine finfish larval rearing, bird species, fishing techniques and gear; water sampling procedures, water laboratory techniques, aboveground and underground storage tanks systems; proper storage and safety from household hazardous substances; unexploded ordnances safety, used oil and hazardous waste; solid waste and recycling; groundwater, operators, and safe drinking water sanitary survey; “enviro-scape” earthmoving activities and permits; and marine water quality and nonpoint source pollution.
Oleai Elementary School teacher Don Taisacan, who was among the educators who brought their students to the expo, shared his hopes for this next generation of environmental stewards.
“It’s actually really awesome because right now, a lot of the things that we’re learning in science is the environmental sciences, so for them to actually come and see what they’re learning about, to see that it does affect our islands and to see that there are solutions and things that they can do. I think they’re really enjoying it and I think it’s really motivating them to help the environment, even here in the islands. Really, if anything, I hope that’s what they do take away from this expo,” he said.
“They do have a role to play here in the islands, because after all, this is where they’re staying and where most likely their children will stay eventually, so for them to see that they have a role here and that they can make a difference here, even in the little things, I think that’s the best thing that they can take away from today.”
BECQ Clean Air Program technician Tyler Flores, who was elected to take care of the venue and logistics for this year’s expo, shared that the tedious preparation that went into the big two-day event was definitely worth it.
“This year, we decided to transition back to face-to-face since our community vulnerability level is back to green. We’re happy to see all the kids and their teachers come out and learn about our island and the different vendors that we have this year,” he said.
“I really hope the kids enjoyed themselves, learning about the islands and the contributions we do to make sure our islands are safe and clean for tourists and other people that visit the islands… From this expo, I hope the students will one day become like us, teaching the next generation about our islands.”
BECQ will cap the Environmental Awareness Month celebration with its annual island-wide cleanup scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today, Friday, April 22, and from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 23.
To take part in the cleanup, contact Tom Pangelinan at [email protected], Edward S. Dela Cruz at [email protected] or call (670) 664-8500.
Students learn about the solid waste program.
Students learn about different birds they can find at American Memorial Park.
Students learn about the Marianas Trench Monument.
Students learn about water sampling.
Students learn about hazardous materials.
Students learn unexploded ordnance safety.
An environmental exhibitor shows students the tip of an unexploded ordnance.
Students learn about bird traps.
NMC-CREES presented on copepods.
Students learn about the efforts to make the Marianas plastic-free.
