G3 and GSC launch first-ever Guam Grower’s Calendar to kick-off 2023

Makerspace

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (CIS), Sea Grant, Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative, and the National Science Foundation EPSCoR program officially launched two community calendars for 2023 at the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

More than just a tool for organizing and tracking important dates, Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability, said the new calendars highlight information that promotes a land and sea approach to food sustainability.

“We import over 90 percent of all the food and goods we consume, and we want to reduce that number. The tide chart calendar shows how to catch more local fish and use our abundant local resources in our pelagic areas and the deep ocean. And with the grower’s calendar, we are showing how we can cultivate our land — starting with our own backyard — help community gardens, and bring more local food to families,” Shelton said.

The Guam Grower’s Calendar (Fanha’aniyan Manåmon Guåhan) features photos of fresh local produce. It also includes the CHamoru lunar seasons, growing tips, and pest and disease management guides. The UOG team partnered with Guåhan Sustainable Culture (GSC) for the publication.

The Tide Chart Calendar features photos of some of Guam’s best rod and reel catches, which were selected from locally submitted entries from a photo call-out in August. In addition, the calendar includes information about moon phases and sustainable fishing tips. It also features local tide charts provided by the UOG Marine Laboratory.

“Our publications team and our partners have worked hard to bring amazing information to our children and our community. This is something that we have talked about — a lot of folks are looking at ways to help people grow and catch their own food. So, both calendars are definitely going to help in those areas,” said Kyle Mandapat, assistant director for communications at Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability.

The two calendars are the first two deliverables from a UOG Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability project that focuses on developing and delivering place-based educational resources in marine, environmental, and sustainability sciences. The project received funding from the Governor’s Education Assistance and Youth Empowerment Grant program.

“We are excited and appreciative about all the work that has been put into this project to be able to give locally produced materials to our students,” Sylvia Calvo, GDOE school program consultant, said at the launching.

The community can get copies of the calendars at the UOG Sea Grant office or the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub at the CHamoru Village. A digital version of the calendars can also be downloaded at uog.edu/seagrant.

September 28, 2022December 31, 2024

Corporate responsibility workshop leads social lesson at Innovation Hub

Makerspace

The Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub played host to a Corporate Social Responsibility workshop featuring Ericka Anderson, co-founder of the Guam Human Rights Initiative.

According to Anderson, social legitimacy and capital are both key measures of a group’s standing in their community.

“A company exists because society allows it to exist,” explained Anderson. “Social legitimacy is the relationship you have with society, and social capital is more of a manifestation effect.”

Anderson says that organizations can see their social capital levels change throughout their existence.

“You can build social capital, or you could lose social capital,” added Anderson. “You build it by having a positive impact on your society.”

The workshop was a part of an ongoing series of development and education for local businesses offered at the Innovation Hub in the CHamoru Village in partnership with the University of Guam Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Anderson also presented at the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration.

“Corporate Social Responsibility is when corporations and organizations self-regulate themselves as citizens within the community and they aim to contribute to goals of philanthropy, activism and charity,” said Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Coordinator Myracle Mugol. “It’s when a company takes a positive role in the community, and they consider the environmental and social impact of their decisions and practices.”

Ten local businesses and organizations confirmed participation in the workshop and sent representatives who learned about local implementation of CSR strategies and practices.

For more information on upcoming workshop schedules visit www.guamgreengrowth.com.

August 31, 2022December 31, 2024

G3 Innovation Hub workshop allows community to make art and learn about traditional medicine

Makerspace

The premise of this workshop involved thinking about ways participants could adorn themselves with imagery reminiscent of Guam.

“Sometimes when we would go on hikes here such as Litekyan or to different family homes, we would go to the jungle and ask for permission. The folks from that land would give us leaves called pupulu aniti, or “spirit leaf.” You wear it on your body as protection close to your chest and heart,” said Ablao. — The premise of this workshop involved thinking about ways participants could adorn themselves with imagery reminiscent of Guam. “Sometimes when we would go on hikes here such as Litekyan or to different family homes, we would go to the jungle and ask for permission. The folks from that land would give us leaves called pupulu aniti, or “spirit leaf.” You wear it on your body as protection close to your chest and heart,” said Ablao.

As part of the fourth installment of the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub’s “Seed Talk Sessions,” the facility held a printmaking workshop facilitated by Roldy Aguero Ablao, a queer mixed CHamoru artist and cultural practitioner who explores culture and identity through printmaking, fashion, and more.

The “Seed Talk Sessions” are a series of developmental opportunities offered by the facility in which industry professionals engage island community members to stimulate creativity and encourage local entrepreneurship.

The premise of this workshop involved thinking about ways participants could adorn themselves with imagery reminiscent of Guam.

“Sometimes when we would go on hikes here such as Litekyan or to different family homes, we would go to the jungle and ask for permission. The folks from that land would give us leaves called pupulu aniti, or “spirit leaf.” You wear it on your body as protection close to your chest and heart,” said Ablao. “I found that very sacred, but it also changed the way I related to the land around me. It made me walk a little more gently. It made me breathe a little more deeply because now the land is on me and I am part of the land. We are always part of the land.”

According to Ablao, the steam created by boiling these ferns can help decrease congestion. He added that he would gather these ferns from a friend’s house or a neighbor’s yard and paint them onto shirts to always have a remnant of the land with him.

Participants prepared for the workshop by going on an åmot walk in which they gathered medical plants within the Paseo area. During the walk, they harvested climbing ferns (kahlao) growing on a tree, half-flower (nanåsu) fruit and flowers from the beach strand, as well as leaves from a noni plant near a sidewalk.

After, they reconvened at the G3 Makerspace and made prints of using the materials they gathered by painting onto flowers and stamping them onto a piece of cloth or painting the outline of leaves.

The workshop ended with a chant recited by Ablao and Joseph Certeza, the G3 Makerspace attendant.

When asked about what advice he would give to aspiring creators, Ablao said, “The first word that comes to me is inagofli’e’ which means “to see” or “witness with care.” I want creators to see ourselves with care and know that our stories are worth it even if others do not see that.”

Participants prepared for the workshop by going on an åmot walk in which they gathered medical plants within the Paseo area. During the walk, they harvested climbing ferns (kahlao) growing on a tree, half-flower (nanåsu) fruit and flowers from the beach strand, as well as leaves from a noni plant near a sidewalk. After, they reconvened at the G3 Makerspace and made prints of using the materials they gathered by painting onto flowers and stamping them onto a piece of cloth or painting the outline of leaves.

July 14, 2022July 14, 2022

Comic publisher inspires artists in first Seedtalk Session event at Makerspace

Makerspace

During a presentation at the G3 innovation hub, Munson talked about her journey creating a sustainable art career. After, she facilitated a workshop in which she taught and encouraged participants to tell their own stories in a short format.

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Makerspace welcomed Jean Marie Munson, a Guam-raised publisher, cartoonist, podcaster, and educator as a facilitator of one of its latest workshops, the first in their recently launched “Seedtalk Sessions” series offered at the facility’s innovation hub in CHamoru Village on June 29, 2022.

Munson is a founding member of Plot Twist Publishing, a Nevada-based publishing house that specializes in comics. She is also a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Inspired by cartoons and comics such as Sailor Moon, Archie, and Peanuts, Munson developed an art style that reflected her identity and desire for diversity within media.

“What influences my art style is women empowerment, body positivity, and a lot of feminist themes,” said Munson. “I always have a sort of homage to Guam. In my dedications and branding, I would say that I’m from an island because I want people to know that great literature and art can come from a non-U.S. place.”

During a presentation at the G3 innovation hub, Munson talked about her journey creating a sustainable art career. After, she facilitated a workshop in which she taught and encouraged participants to tell their own stories in a short format.

Munson’s workshop is a part of a series of developmental opportunities provided by the G3 Makerspace in which industry professionals interact with island community members to stimulate creativity and encourage local entrepreneurship.

“The island has done a lot for me as a human being. Giving back is non-negotiable for me,” said Munson. “I want to spend this part of my life paying it forward and I really want to be part of the larger driving force that claims Guam as a creative hub and a place of innovation.”

May 24, 2022May 24, 2022

Guam Green Growth Makerspace wows crowds and welcomes new members at CHamoru Village Night Market

Makerspace

The community is invited to get a closer look at some of the equipment and services available at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub every Wednesday night during the CHamoru Village Night Market.

All three houses that make up the Makerspace and Innovation Hub including the Plastics House, the Green Store and the Workshop are all open and feature tours to for visitors who can leave the weekly event with a full stomach and what could be the start of their own small business.

“When people come in and check out our facilities, I love seeing the lights go off when ideas come to their minds,” said G3 Circular Economy Coordinator Myracle Mugol, who oversees the Makerspace. “We have such creative people on our island and when they come in here and see the tools they can have access to, it really motivates them to take that leap into entrepreneurship.”

Along with Mugol, herself an award-winning small business owner, the entire Makerspace team is comprised of small business owners ready to assist in growing the green economy.

“Our very experienced team is standing by and ready to answer any inquiries one might have about joining as a member of the Makerspace and Innovation Hub,” explained Mugol. “Members will have access to the CNC Routers, 3D printers and all the other tools for a membership fee that will still be way below the costs of having to buy the machines themselves and then have to ship them and house them here.”

Ryan Shane has often thought about starting his own business but never had access to the machinery that is available at the Makerspace before.

“It is really amazing to see this stuff here in Guam for the people to use,” said Shane. “I have priced this equipment out before, and I would need to really secure some loans before being able to buy them. Having this service and this membership opportunity will get me into production so I can make that money and eventually be able to buy (the equipment) on my own, hopefully.”

Members can also avail special rates for training courses and services according to Mugol.

“We have a month-to-month membership at fifty dollars, or we have an annual membership that gives you a thirty-three percent discount overall,” said Mugol. “As a member you will have access, special pricing for certain services and other benefits that pop up throughout the year.”

To see the membership packages and to enroll visit www.guamgreengrowth.org today or visit the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub at the CHamoru Village open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

May 5, 2022May 19, 2022

G3 Makerspace shines through CHamoru Village Night Market

G3 Makerspace shins through CHamoru Village Night Market

The Wednesday Night Market has returned and our G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub team is happy to be part of the Chamoru Village familia!

Visit our three houses: the Green Store & Innovation Hub, our Plastics House, and our Makerspace and see all that we have to offer for makers, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting to start and continue their sustainable journey!

The Corps provided outreach by educating attendees on proper waste disposal at the G3 and i*recycle bins and by assisting guests who visited the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub. Si Yu’os ma’åse’ to everyone who stopped by! 

For membership information or workshop schedule check out the Makerspace website!

March 24, 2022March 30, 2022

Gallery: Workshops at the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub

Gallery: Plastic Bag Pouch Workshop

Check out the schedule and sign up for a workshop at the Makerspace today!

After its official launching at the start of the year, the Guam Green Growth (G3) Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub has now started to offer workshops at its location in Chamorro Village.

The Makerspace and Innovation Hub supports G3’s mission to establish sustainable and profitable cottage industries, improve the performance of enterprise facilitation and development programs, and support regional economic development.

The workshop series was designed to achieve these program goals.

So far, the Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub has already successfully concluded the following workshops earlier this month: Plastic Workshop: Creating Textiles and Zip Pouches, March 12; Natural Fiber Poksi Workshop with @youngbiha: March 17, and; Natural Dye Workshop with @taopacificdesigns: March 19.

Meanwhile, the following sessions are still open to the public:

Bamboo Processing & Wood Burning Workshop: March 24
Plastic Workshop: Creating Textiles and Zip Pouches: March 26

At the latest G3 steering committee, Myracle Mugol, Circular Economy and Makerspace coordinator, invited the community to check out the sessions.

“We have some amazing artists and makers who are joining us to teach including some of our in-house attendants who will be there. If you’re interested, please sign up,” Mugol said.

Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/…/guam-green-growth-circular… for more information on signing up and membership options. More workshop opportunities for April will be announced soon.

February 16, 2022March 24, 2022

Guam Green Growth Makerspace and Innovation Hub now open at CHamoru Village

Entrepreneurs and creators can now transform waste material into marketable products through the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub.

Guam Green Growth and its partners celebrated the grand opening of its G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub on Tuesday, Feb. 15, in three houses at the CHamoru Village in Hagatña.

Designed to support Guam’s emerging green economy, the spaces will allow entrepreneurs to upcycle discarded materials into marketable products using a variety of tools and resources. These spaces also support the island’s effort to rely less on imported goods and create less waste.

“What we are doing is moving forward with our vision of helping people become successful in business. Small businesses are the backbone of our community and government,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “This concept is a win-win for our business, academia, our island’s environment, and all of Guam.”

Equipped with 3D printers, a laser cutter, computer numerical control router, vinyl cutter, and power tools, the industrial makerspace can process materials such as wood, metal, and plastic.

“This is an effort to diversify the economy and to do things to benefit multiple parts of our community,” said University of Guam President Thomas Krise. “We have this opportunity to think of a new kind of economy and a new way of dealing with visitors and to be attractive to visitors. I think this is a really great opportunity.”

The second makerspace house has equipment from Precious Plastic, a plastic recycling project that uses machines to grind, melt, and mold recycled plastic into new products such as furniture, jewelry, and more.

“What this G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub will be is a beacon to tell everybody on our island that we do not have scarcity – in fact, we have lots of resources. The problem is that we’ve been calling it waste this whole time,” said Austin Shelton, director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. “The circular economy is about changing this linear economy where all of our products come in from our ports and waste products end up at the landfill. We can bend that line into a loop, regenerate natural systems, and design out waste and pollution to keep our materials in use. We can then create new green economic activity and this is where we can do it together.”

Once entrepreneurs create products in the makerspace, they can sell them on consignment at the G3 Green Store to test the market.

The innovation hub supports part of the G3 initiative’s mission to establish sustainable and profitable cottage industries and support regional economic development. Business advisement seminars, creative workshops, and training sessions for the makerspace’s equipment will be held at the facility.

Creators can access the space and tools available for $50 a month or $500 per year, with a 20% discount applicable for yearly memberships.

The facility’s hours will be Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub was made possible by funding from Guam NSF EPSCoR, the Guam Economic Development Authority, Office of the Governor of Guam, 36th Guam Legislature, and partnerships with the UOG Center for Island Sustainability, UOG Sea Grant, the School of Business and Public Administration, and Guam Unique Merchandise and Arts.

For more information about the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub, please contact G3 Circular Economy Coordinator Myracle Mugol at mugolm@triton.uog.edu.

January 27, 2022March 24, 2022

#InTheNews – Guam Green Growth gives creators innovative, collaborative venue to transform waste into value

January 20, 2022March 24, 2022

#INTHENEWS: Recycling efforts, sustainable food efforts and recruiting new cohort discussed by G3

By Jackson Stephens
Pacific Daily News

Aquaculture projects on island are moving forward, according to Austin Shelton, director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant.

“We continue to move forward with aquaculture and aquaponics projects,” Shelton said during the Guam Guam Green Growth Steering Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Aquaponics is a sustainable water system of raising fish or other aquatic food staples and vegetables and fruit together, which could increase food security.