THE first day of the Mariana Islands Conservation Conference, organized by Tåno, Tåsi, Yan Todu, began on Monday, Feb. 26 at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
Tåno, Tåsi, Yan Todu’s acting president, Dr. Steven Johnson, said there are 252 in-person attendees from Guam and CNMI government agencies, non-government organizations, non-profits, as well as members of the public. There are also 114 virtual attendees.
“One thing we’re really proud about with this conference is the need that it serves for our community,” Johnson told Variety. “A lot of us are academics, researchers or have careers in research, and a big part of that is sharing the work you’re finding,” he added.
Johnson said the conference, which focuses on terrestrial and ocean conservation, allows residents on Guam and the CNMI to share their work locally. The conference venue alternates between Saipan and Guam.
“What we think is most important about this is instead of having to take our science off the island and share it, we need to have a venue here locally. ‘For the people, by the people’ is kind of the attitude we want to bring to this,” Johnson said.
Monday’s session featured 14 scientific presentations on Marianas bird, forest and coral restoration.
On Tuesday, Feb. 26, topics will include plant ecology and natural history, genomic tools for invertebrate biology, and community conservation.
A full agenda is available at marianasterrestrialconservation.org/.
Johnson said there are also many accessory programs during the conference.
Moreover, on Tuesday, at 4 p.m., a conservation career fair will be held and the public is invited to explore career paths in science and conservation.
Representatives at the fair will include the University of Washington’s Aga Recovery Project, the Department of Agriculture’s Biosafety Division, the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, and more.
On Wednesday, conference participants will learn about field study opportunities on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. These include a traditional medicine walk with traditional healer and educator Donald Mendiola, a fruit bat survey, a lagoon snorkel opportunity, and more.
There is also a “Chat and Chesa” event scheduled in partnership with the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. It will feature a conversation on climate change in the CNMI and will take place at Naked Fish in Garapan at 6 p.m. Questions can be directed to the NMI Humanities Council at leeani@nmhcouncil.com/.
Aside from scientific presentations on Thursday, there will be a panel discussion on traditional ecological knowledge.
The event closes on Friday with presentations on ecosystem management, disease, and invasive species, as well as a joint keynote address from Dr. Nicole Yamase, Dr. Harmony Yomai, and Dr. Ann Gawel, who all work in science and have roots in Micronesia. Yamase is also the first Pacific Islander to visit Challenger Deep.
Dr. Steven Johnson, acting president of Tåno, Tåsi, Yan Todu, delivers his remarks during the first day of the Mariana Islands Conservation Conference at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.
The Mariana Islands Conservation Conference brings together hundreds of scientists, academics and researchers who will present on conservation topics related to the Marianas.
