The elementary and middle school students learned from wildlife biologists, forestry officials, cultural experts and more as they experienced first-hand the importance and value of conservation.
Together they engaged in activities such as hiking to the top of Wedding Cake Mountain and learning about the endangered fruit bat and planting hundreds of seedlings at the Talakahaya Watershed revegetation site.
The eco-camp, which took place from July 28 to 31, covered topics including marine conservation, watershed protection, endangered species and habitat preservation. Throughout the camp, students learned how they can contribute to conservation efforts.
“I could tell other people not to burn the plants. I can plant everywhere. I can stop touching corals and I can stop throwing trash on the side of the road,” sixth-grade student Fidel Manglona said in response to what actions he can take to help protect the areas he visited.
Organizers surveyed the students for knowledge gained from the experience. The responses will be evaluated in the coming weeks. The findings will provide valuable input on how to improve the educational component of the program.
For the past three years, the camp has provided students on the island with experiential learning aimed at increasing their capacity to understand human impacts on the environment, and the importance of ensuring sustainability.
“It is a great way to educate our children about the environment — both the marine life and the wildlife surrounding our islands in the CNMI,” said Joey Quitugua, who helped sponsor the camp. “As a child growing up in a traditional lifestyle, I’ve come to appreciate the island of Rota as a food source to our family. We must protect our surroundings so that our children can benefit from it for many years to come.”
The environmental education camp was coordinated by the Division of Environmental Quality with support from dozens of volunteers and public and private groups on Rota and Saipan. Partnering government agencies included the Rota Mayor’s Office, and Rota branches of the CNMI Public School System, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Northern Marianas College, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Public Health and the Rota Health Center.
DEQ provided funding for the programs through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Initiative. The camp was also made possible through generous contributions from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Rota Scuba Center Rubin and Joey Quitugua.
“The Tan Siu Lin is proud to support all causes which educate, strengthen, and nurture our environment and community,” said Ed Arriola Jr. of the Tan Holdings corporate affairs office.
Workforce Investment Act in action
(WIA) — The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provides for nationwide federally funded locally administered job skills and work programs that have real payoffs for the young people employed through the program and the businesses and public agencies who are their employers and trainers.
This summer 500 young people are working or have worked at one hundred different private enterprises and government offices in the Northern Marianas.
Seven have come to work at the CNMI’s Superior and Supreme Courts.
Under the tutelage of Wayne Archibald and Michael Villacrusis, system administrator and computer specialist for the courts’ information systems, five of the local high school students (Ms. Gatamngin, Fitial, Jimenez, Reusora and Ada) enhance their skills by performing various tasks for the court that IT personnel would encounter on a daily basis, from data entry to computer repair and maintenance.
As a result their value as future employees rises in an increasingly high tech world.
The other two young people with the program at the courts (Ms. Agulto and Rosal) are working at the Law Revision Commission involved in the scanning, sorting, and important work of legal document preservation, in addition to Web editing and associated clerical duties.
Janet R. Labios and Albert Hicking provide their daily guidance.
Edith Deleon Gerrero, executive director for the Workforce investment Agency, funded by the WIA Act, makes the point that her organization is private sector focused, centered on the Power of “E3” — Education, Employment and Economic Development.
In keeping with that orientation, prior to participants’ real work experience they attend work readiness workshops conducted by Northern Marianas College, now a licensed institution capable of issuing work readiness skills certification recognized throughout the United States.
Financial literacy is an important part of the three to four day curriculum.
Participants in the program are set on a path for success and employers are anxious to participate and help in this program which has successfully brought together the youth, business community, education institutions and public agencies for a common good.
Office of the Attorney General seeks information
(Office of the Attorney General) — The Office of the Attorney General seeks information from the public concerning the sale of tobacco products to minors.
“Tobacco products” means any tobacco preparation, including but not limited to, chewing tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, any cigarette products, or snuff.
Any resident with information concerning this activity is encouraged to contact the AG’s office so an investigation can be initiated.
If a member of the public wishes to provide information or file a complaint, he or she may do so by phoning the Attorney General’s Investigative Unit at 664-2312.
Concerned citizens may also contact the AG’s office on Capital Hill at 664-2341.
