The Environmental Expo is part of the celebration of CNMI Environmental Awareness Month this April.
Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan, said she was impressed with how the students and other members of the community responded to the campaign to preserve the environment in their area.
“The event is very important —it helps our kids be exposed to the environment. It is best to start a new program in any community from the children and then bring the information to the parents,” she told Variety.
Describing Kagman as the newest community on Saipan, Santos said village residents have been very responsible in protecting the environment.
“They are surrounded by natural resources. They have sanctuaries here and beaches and they are able to maintain the pristine quality of the area.”
Event coordinator Olivia Tebuteb said the event was intended for a small-scale community but they were able to gather at least 350 students from three schools.
The event was spearheaded by the Division of Environmental Quality and supported by the Coastal Resources Management Office and the Divsion of Fish and Wildlife, Tebuteb said yesterday.
There were 14 exhibitors, four of which were new to the Environmental Expo.
Fish and Wildlife made a presentation on its brown tree snake, turtle and enforcement programs while CRMO discussed its education, coral reef monitoring and enforcement programs.
DEQ made presentations on safe drinking, wastewater and erosion control as well as nonpoint source pollution programs.
The Department of Public Works discussed its energy and solid waste programs.
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs talked about its historical preservation projects while Northern Marianas College- Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services tackled its aquaculture and sewing programs.
For its sewing program, Tebuteb said, NMC-CREES uses recycle materials.
Other exhibitors included Tan Holdings, the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., the Saipan Mayor’s Office, No Ka Oi Termite & Pest Control, the Natural Resources Conservation Services, the Emergency Management Office, Allied Pacific Environment Consulting, and the Department of Public Safety.
Norton Skerei, a sixth grade student of Garapan Elementary School, said they were fascinated by the presentation on the coral reef.
“We really have to protect our environment,” the student said.
Skerei was accompanied by his teacher Asap Ogumoro and classmates Rachel Ann Velena, Paul Suarez, Jessle Mae Seman, Regina Go, Dana Lobrio, Ana Deleon Guerrero, Lov Gascon, Kisa Lorren and Owen Zhi.
Ogumoro said the Environmental Expo was a great experience for the students to learn about the environment and the services provided by government and private agencies.
He said the students were able to get answers to the questions they have about the environment.
