The tree planting was initiated by Boy Scout Harrison Smith who attended the September Beautify CNMI monthly meeting to find out about a possible community service project and left with the idea to plant flame trees in one of Saipan’s villages.
The Beautify CNMI coalition helped the Boy Scouts with their project.
Ron and Herminia Fusco donated 26 flame trees, Friends of the Mariana Islands donated shovels and picks, Angelo Villagomez donated fertilizer and led the planting, and some of the parents helped out with drinking water and donuts.
Beautify CNMI has cared for the Koblerville area since the group’s creation in 2006.
The group regularly cuts the crash and maintain the area around the substation. In 2007 Beautify CNMI planted 36 flame trees along the road.
The trees planted by the Boy Scouts on Saturday filled in some of the spaces where trees had died and continued the row of trees in front of Koblerville Elementary School
“About five of the 36 trees we planted in 2007 in this village died, probably because of bushcutter damage,” said Angelo Villagomez. “This is a project I’ve been wanting to work more on and I’m thankful for Harrison and the other Boy Scouts for taking the initiative to get the adults to help out.”
Also participating in Saturday’s tree planting was Anna Villagomez, who recently returned from the mainland U.S. with her family. “This was a great experience,” she said. “I feel like I’ve given something to the community and I like the way that feels.”
