A Closer Look: G3CC Island Beautification Tour – Tamuning

Picture of the G3 Conservation Corps at the Island Beautification event in Tamuning.

A Closer Look: G3CC Island Beautification Tour - Tamuning

True leadership isn’t defined by the strategies we write on paper; it is proven by the work we are willing to do when our community needs us most.

Looking at these moments from our recent Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps Village Beautification, we are reminded that sustainable progress requires a profound willingness to get our hands dirty. True resilience isn’t passive. It’s an active, daily choice to show up, clear the debris, and build back stronger.

When we look at the systemic challenges facing our environments and communities today, it is easy to get lost in high-level policy and long-term targets. But as we work side-by-side moving heavy debris, sorting materials, and restoring our local spaces, a fundamental truth became clear: global goals only succeed through localized, boots-on-the-ground execution.

Sustainable development isn’t just about preserving what we have; it’s about establishing a circular, resilient mindset that can weather any storm. It’s about looking at a pile of waste and seeing a logistical challenge to be solved, or looking at a blocked pathway and seeing an opportunity for community renewal.

No titles, no egos—just a shared vision for a greener, more sustainable future, one heavy lift at a time.

Leadership is a action verb. Let’s keep moving forward.

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

UOG CIS and Sea Grant awards more than $700K for research addressing Micronesia’s coastal challenges

UOG CIS and Sea Grant awards more than $700K for research addressing Micronesia’s coastal challenges

From stormwater management and groundwater pollution to coral reef conservation and coastal erosion protection, six new research projects at the University of Guam are set to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Guam and the wider Micronesian region.

The projects were selected as recipients of the 2026–2028 UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding, with more than $709,000 in grants awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program to support innovative, community-focused scientific research tied to the region’s coastal resources.

UOG Vice Provost of Academic Excellence, Graduate Studies, and Online Learning Monique Storie, Ph.D., congratulated the awardees and highlighted the university’s role in supporting research that benefits the community. “Thank you for joining us here today as we get ready to start another great cycle of important research that will have great impacts on our island and on our community,” she said.

The announcement was made Thursday at the Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center. For this cycle, a total of 11 research proposals underwent a two-tier panel review process before final selection.

Below are the 2026–2028 UOG Sea Grant competitive research awardees:

- - Rui Zeng, Ph.D. — Improving Infiltration Chamber Designs for Enhanced Coastal Resilience and Stormwater Management in Guam
  - Chris Yeo, Ph.D. and Seung-Buhm Woo, Ph.D. — Integrated Modeling of Land-Based Pollutant Discharge and its Coastal Marine Impact for Guam’s Coral Reef Conservation
  - Ernesto Guades, Ph.D. — Seawater-based Concrete Wall with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites for Guam Coastal Erosion Protection
  - Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D. and Pablo De la Vega — Characterization of Microbiome Interaction Networks across Kingdoms and Ecosystems
  - Yong Sang Kim, Ph.D. and David J. Yu, Ph.D. — Integrated Resilience-Building Approach for Addressing Water Pollution and Extreme Weather Stressors on Guam’s Water Resources
  - Laurie Raymundo, Ph.D. — Transitioning the Malesso Coral Ocean Nursery to a Nursery and Spawning Hub

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D, said the federal funding allows the university to invest directly into locally relevant scientific innovations. “We’re both a Land Grant and a Sea Grant institution, that means that we have to ensure that our university is delivering public value, doing science and bringing it out into the community in ways that are useful, usable, and understandable,” he said.

Several awardees shared how their projects aim to address environmental challenges facing Guam and the wider Micronesian region.

Yeo highlighted the importance of protecting Guam’s natural resources from pollution and climate-related impacts. “This work is intended to support the information about decisions and strengthen conservation efforts and protect long-term resilience of Guam’s coastal area, Guam’s reef and Guam’s coastal community,” he said.

Guades said his project will explore stronger and more sustainable coastal protection materials. “We usually use concrete and steel (for retaining walls)…But the problem with steel is once saltwater intrudes, it weakens.” He added, “And so what I’m going to do for this project is to develop materials from concrete and fiber reinforced polymers. They are suitable because it doesn’t corrode.”

Chris Yeo, Ph.D., one of the six recipients, speaks during the announcement of the UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding for 2026–2028.

Ernesto Guades, Ph.D., one of the six recipients, speaks during the announcement of the UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding for 2026–2028.

Meanwhile, Kim said his research will examine the links between water pollution, public health, and coastal contamination, “Since I joined UOG over eight years, I focused on water pollution, focusing on groundwater, I mean the NGLA (Northern Guam Lens Aquifer). But I wondered, water pollution issue is not only water pollution because we drink water, so that means it causes health effects. And also all groundwater flow toward coastal areas.”

The competitive research initiative has expanded significantly over the years according to UOG CIS & Sea Grant Associate Director for Operations and Development Fran Castro, MSc. She added that the latest funding cycle attracted researchers from across multiple disciplines. “These just really elevate our program here on Guam,” she said. “We keep moving in a direction where we keep increasing our resources so that we know more about our island and we give back more to our community.”

Yong Sang Kim, Ph.D., one of the six recipients, speaks during the announcement of the UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding for 2026–2028.

Fran Castro, MSc, UOG CIS & Sea Grant Associate Director for Operations and Development, speaks during the announcement of the 2026–2028 UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding at the Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center on Thursday. Castro oversees the competitive research funding program, which supports scientific projects addressing critical environmental and coastal challenges across Guam and Micronesia.

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026

G3 Conservation Corps steps up for Sinlaku relief

G3CC members and volunteers posing at LBJ Elementary School

G3 Conservation Corps steps up for Sinlaku relief

As communities across Micronesia recover from the impacts of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, members of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps (G3CC) are proving that sustainability work goes far beyond environmental projects—it is also about showing up in times of crisis.

On Thursday, the corps joined a multi-organization donation drive at LBJ Elementary School in Tamuning, supporting relief efforts led by the Ayuda Foundation alongside partners Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, Guahan Sustainable Culture, Guam Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and other groups such as PBS Guam, Breaking Wave Theater Company.

“Small steps make a bigger impact,” said G3CC coordinator Joseph Certeza.

While the work focused mainly on collecting and organizing donations, G3CC also applied its sustainability lens to the operation, by looking at the waste reduction and resource recovery aspect of the process.

“Right now, we’ve been supporting big time and making sure the space is clean by removing all the trash, dropping to the dumps since we have that capacity. And we’re actually looking through all of the clothes here so that we can play our part and not let these clothes go to waste and go into the dumps,” Certeza said.

In a continuation of that effort, the team is working to extend the life of donated goods.

“So we’re going to wash them ourselves at G3CC and then we’re going to give it back to this donation drive so that actually can serve the communities in need as well.”

The Conservation Corps’ involvement is part of a broader week-long mobilization across Guam. The team also assisted in a commodities and food distribution drive in Yigo, where members packaged around 400 bags of food and supplies and distributed a similar number to the community.

“So for this past week, we’re really mobilizing our G3CC and doing as much relief support, whether it’s being connected with the lieutenant governor’s office, or supporting different organizations,” Certeza said.

The donation drive also drew support from student volunteers, including members of the Ocean Guardian School program at John F. Kennedy High School. Advisor Carolyn Haruo said their participation was driven by a shared desire to help.

“So, we saw their (Ayuda Foundation, MCCA) post about it and we saw what they were doing and so we decided that that would be the organization that we were going to come and help with,” Haruo said.

For student volunteer Sean Matthew Goh, the experience was both meaningful and motivating.

“It actually feels amazing because while we’re helping other people and it feels good as a student and also as a person that you know that you’re helping other people and also while meeting other people, you can socialize more and have more friends and have one same goal and work towards it,” Goh said.

For G3CC member Abcde Tapia, the relief work offered both personal growth and a deeper understanding of service.

“At the end of the day, I feel very honored to be given this opportunity, and to take a new knowledge. I’ve never moved pallets before, or used these equipments, and I get a sense or idea of the next time I donate, how can I better prepare… how I could alleviate some of the work needed to be done,” Tapia said.

The G3 Conservation Corps is part of the broader Guam Green Growth initiative, a public-private partnership led by the University of Guam and the Office of the Governor that advances sustainability solutions and helps build a green economy for the island. Within this initiative, G3CC serves as a workforce development program that trains individuals in sustainability practices while preparing them for careers in Guam’s emerging green economy. Members gain hands-on experience in areas such as conservation, waste reduction, and community engagement—skills that translate directly into disaster response and recovery efforts.

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

GVB commits to strengthening sustainability efforts for Guam’s future

GVB President & CEO Regine Biscoe Lee signs an MOU with the University of Guam's Guam Green Growth organization on Friday as UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez (L) and Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero (R) look on.

GVB signed an MOU with UOG’s G3 on Friday at the Conference on Island Sustainability held at the Hyatt Regency Guam. Seated (L-R): UOG President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, GVB President & CEO Regine Biscoe Lee, Governor of Guam Lourdes Leon Guerrero; Standing (L-R): GVB Director of Finance Rudd Gudmalin, GVB Director of Research Christian Valencia, UOG Vice President of Finance Dr.Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Sharleen Santos Bamba, Director of UOG Sea Grant and CIS Dr. Austin Shelton, Lt. Governor of Guam Joshua Tenorio, G3 Project Associate Jaret Castro, and G3 Action Framework Coordinator Camarin Quitugua.

MOU formalizes collaboration with UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant – Guam Green Growth

(Tumon, Guam) – Today, the Guam Visitors Bureau announced the signing of its memorandum of understanding with the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (UOG CIS), Sea Grant, and Guam Green Growth (G3) at Hyatt Regency Guam in Tumon during UOG CIS’s weeklong Conference on Sustainability.

GVB President and CEO Régine Biscoe Lee penned the MOU with G3 Steering Committee Co-Chair Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio and Dr. Austin Shelton, G3 Steering Committee Co-Chair and Director of UOG CIS & Sea Grant. The document spells out the MOU alliance’s commitment “to effectively promote and develop the island of Guam as a safe, satisfying, and sustainably oriented destination.”

“The UOG CIS & Sea Grant – G3 partnership embodies the collaborative approach and community action GVB envisions for the future of Guam’s visitor industry,” Biscoe Lee said.

The Guam Green Growth public-private partnership is Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero’s answer to the United Nations’ call for communities all over the world to activate the international peace, security and cooperation organization’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). G3 is facilitated by UOG CIS and Sea Grant.

As a signature event of UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability, the Conference on Island Sustainability is a once-a-year gathering bringing together leaders, scientists, policymakers, and community members to collaborate on solutions to unique sustainability challenges facing island communities.

Green alliance

Today, as a destination management organization that demonstrates its devotion to sustainable practices daily, GVB formally commits its resources to advancing the objectives of the UOG CIS & Sea Grant – G3 partnership.

“Sustainability is not just a global conversation—it is a local responsibility,” Biscoe Lee said. “For Guam, it means protecting our natural resources, preserving our culture, and strengthening our economy in ways that lift all boats.”

“Through a host of current and planned initiatives, GVB and its collaborators will continue to support the G3 movement to develop and deliver tangible solutions to sustainability challenges while doing our best to contribute to the full resilience of a green economy for our island and the region,” Biscoe Lee added.

“We’re moving our island toward a sustainable future,” Shelton said. “The visitor industry is really important to the economy. The conversation has been about regenerative tourism, about making sure that our destinations are authentic, connected to the place, connected to the people for the land. And I’m really pleased that the Guam Visitors Bureau believes in this and is moving forward with our memorandum of understanding for the Guam Green Growth initiative.

“We’re now going to be able to assist the Guam Visitors Bureau and their members in helping to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in locally and culturally effective ways. And that means we bring in the resources that we have. Our team with the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps, our team with the Guam Green Growth Action Framework, and we’ll work closely with the Guam Visitors Bureau team to make sure that the efforts attract tourists and that we’re incorporating these values of our island and the values of island sustainability to move all of that forward.”

For more information about the G3 initiative, visit www.guamgreengrowth.org

For more about Guam Visitors Bureau – www.guamvisitorsbureau.com

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

CIS2026 FRIDAY: Rethinking ocean waste in the Pacific

At the 17th Conference on Island Sustainability, marine biologist Mafalda Gentil Martins Seiz de Freitas delivered a presentation grounded in urgency and innovation, drawing directly from her work addressing marine debris across the Pacific.

De Freitas, megaplastics program director at Hawaiʻi Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, began by describing the essential role of oceans in sustaining life and livelihoods. “A healthy ocean is fundamental to the life on earth. It sustains millions of jobs worldwide, it feeds billions of people worldwide, and it renegades our climate,” she said.

At the same time, she emphasized the mounting pressures facing marine ecosystems. “Our oceans are at risk and under increasing stress,” she said, pointing to overfishing, climate change, and widespread pollution as key drivers.

She said these global challenges are especially visible in the Hawaiian Archipelago, where geography makes the islands particularly vulnerable. Due to its proximity to the North Pacific Garbage Patch, Hawai‘i experiences a constant influx of debris carried by ocean currents.

“Contrary to popular belief, the North Pacific Garbage Patch is not a physical island that you can live on,” de Freitas explained. “It is more of a soup that wobbles back and forth between the Hawaiian islands and the U.S. mainland.” As this “soup” shifts, the islands act as a natural trap, accumulating large volumes of waste along their shores.

“What does this look like when it reaches Hawaii? It looks like this. Huge accumulations of nets, lines, hard plastic mesh,” she said. Over time, this material breaks down further: “If you’re to go to any wooded beach on the Hawaiian islands, you will find microplastic pollution in the sand.”

The consequences extend beyond environmental damage. Marine debris impacts tourism, fisheries, and community safety. “Nobody wants to go to a beach that’s filled with marine debris or just not clean and risk becoming entangled themselves in marine debris,” she said.

Disposal presents another major challenge. “In Hawaii, there is no commercial plastic recycling at all,” de Freitas noted. “Everything gets landfilled or incinerated.” For island communities, she added, expanding landfills is not a viable long-term solution.

In response, de Freitas and a coalition of partners launched a multi-stage initiative supported by the Hawaii Sea Grant. The effort spans detection, removal, processing, and research, all aimed at both managing and preventing marine debris.

One key component is a fishing gear bounty program that incentivizes recovery efforts at sea. “Since the beginning in 2022, we have removed over 191,000 pounds from the Pacific Ocean and intercepted it, preventing it from washing up on the reefs and our shorelines,” she said.

Once debris is collected, the next step is understanding its origins. “We need to sort it to understand what is it? Where does it come from? What kind of gear is it?” she explained. Through detailed analysis, her team found that “over 80% of what washes up on our shores is direct fishing gear,” much of it from outside Hawai‘i.

“If you know the nets and you know the plastic, then you can know the source and type of fisheries that uses them,” she said, describing how material composition helps trace debris back to specific fishing practices and regions.

But the work does not stop at identification. A central goal of the initiative is to transform waste into usable materials, creating a circular economy model for island communities.

“So how can we now use it for good? How can we turn this trash into a local treasure that has copies for our community?” she asked.

Among the solutions being tested are infrastructure applications. “We have incorporated our drone fishing gear, HDPE tool nets, into asphalt road products,” she said, describing pilot projects that integrate recycled plastics into road construction. Another effort focuses on converting debris into plastic lumber for uses like fencing and decking.

“These trials… just goes to show that it is possible to make a circular economy with marine debris at the source,” she said.

Beyond innovation, de Freitas emphasized the broader implications for island resilience and self-sufficiency. “As we talk about resilience and prosperity… being able to empower local communities to use their waste for local goods, their infrastructure, is really important,” she said.

April 25, 2026April 25, 2026

CIS2026 FRIDAY: Featured speaker at sustainability conference turns waste into opportunity

“And I think a lot of us, across island communities, are standing in that same proverbial space, surrounded by opportunity, but calling it waste.”

That reflection from William Castillo anchored his presentation at the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability, where he was featured as a speaker sharing perspectives on value-added agriculture and economic resilience for island communities. Castillo is an associate professor and director of workforce development at Leeward Community College, where he leads initiatives that link education, workforce training, and entrepreneurship.

He shared a personal account of returning to Guam after Super Typhoon Sinlaku, arriving to find his family’s yard—like many across the island—covered in debris. Instead of beginning cleanup right away, his family waited for him to arrive. “Apparently, the recovery plan for us was let’s not touch anything outside until Will gets home,” he said.

What began as a familiar post-storm cleanup turned into a broader reflection on how value is perceived in everyday life and in island economies.

Castillo challenged conventional thinking around agriculture and resilience, raising a central question for island communities: “How do we diversify our economy? How do we reduce our reliance on tourism, and build something more resilient?”

He noted that while these concerns feel urgent, they are not new. Historically, Pacific islands like Guam and Hawai‘i sustained themselves through strong local food systems.“In other words, we already know how to do this. But somewhere along the way, we lost it.”

Today, one of the biggest challenges remains the gap between production and market access.

“A significant portion of what commercial farmers grow, some estimates say as much as 60%, never gets to the market… Not because it isn’t good, or it doesn’t taste good, or there’s no value. It’s because it isn’t the picture-perfect, grade-A produce that distributors or markets want.”

Rather than accepting loss as inevitable, Castillo emphasized value-added agriculture as a solution—turning surplus and imperfect crops into new economic opportunities. “A system where we can take off-grade produce, instead of turning it into waste, it’s a starting point for a new product. A new business. A new revenue stream for farmers.”

He illustrated this shift with a simple example,“Take that mountain apple… Same fruit. Vastly different story. Completely different value.”

At the center of this approach is the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center in Hawai‘i, which supports farmers and entrepreneurs in developing, producing, and scaling food products. Through technical training, equipment access, and mentorship, the center helps bridge ideas to market-ready businesses.

“We’ve built the center to lower the barriers to entry and have creativity take over and opportunity thrive.”

Castillo also emphasized that innovation must be paired with solutions to structural challenges, particularly geographic isolation and export limitations.

“When we’re so far from our end customers, everything we sell has to cross the ocean… And crossing the ocean takes time. Time costs money.”

To address this, his team has supported technologies such as High Pressure Processing (HPP), which significantly extends product shelf life without compromising quality. “Shelf life doesn’t just preserve the product, it unlocks the market.”

With longer shelf life, island-produced goods can access regional and global markets, expanding opportunity beyond local boundaries. “Because opportunity shouldn’t stop at the shoreline.”

For Castillo, sustainability is not only environmental—it is also economic and social, rooted in systems that strengthen communities.“Because sustainability for us isn’t just environmental. It’s economic. It’s about building systems that allow families and communities to thrive.”

He closed by returning to the idea that shaped his opening reflection, tying together personal experience and broader systems change: “And so maybe the question isn’t just how we clean up after the storm. But it’s what we choose to do with what’s left behind… Because opportunity doesn’t always arrive as a great product. Sometimes it shows up scattered across the ground, looking like waste. And it’s up to us to decide whether we’re going to throw it away or turn it into something.”

April 24, 2026April 25, 2026

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Educators call for reimagined prosperity rooted in Pacific Futures at Sustainability Conference

“Because for us in the Pacific, resilience is not a trend,” said Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, Ph.D., founder and executive director of Finafinau, one of two educators at the forefront of Pacific scholarship and advocacy who served as featured speakers, framing the emotional and political weight of island resilience in the face of ongoing environmental and social challenges.

Suluai-Mahuka, a 2021 Teacher of the Year awardee for American Samoa and Kenneth Gofigan Kuper, Ph.D., associate professor of Political Science, CHamoru Studies, and Micronesian Studies at the UOG, served as featured speakers on Thursday at the 17th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability

Drawing from her experiences as an educator, mother, and advocate, she emphasized how deeply personal her connection to sustainability work has become. Reflecting on her daughter’s relationship with environmental storytelling and the ocean, she shared, “But somehow, the ocean became her safe space.” Her remarks culminated in a powerful reframing of development discourse, declaring, “Prosperity is not extraction.”

Suluai-Mahuka used her platform to challenge conventional definitions of progress, warning against systems that prioritize economic growth at the expense of culture, consent, and ecological integrity. Her message stressed that sustainability must be rooted in protection, care, and intergenerational responsibility.

Kuper’s presentation complemented these themes through a futures-focused lens, examining uncertainty, governance, and the moral responsibilities tied to decision-making in the present. He began with a stark reflection on global anxieties, stating, “Most of the time the future scares me. Sometimes the future distracts me far too much from the present.”

Throughout his talk, Kuper challenged audiences to reconsider power structures and agency in island contexts. “We must not be afraid of power,” he said, emphasizing the importance of institutions and decision-making authority remaining in the hands of island communities.

Despite addressing difficult global realities, including climate change and geopolitical inequities, he maintained a message grounded in hope and responsibility. “I am not subscribed to a pessimism about the world,” he said, reinforcing the importance of choosing optimism as an active practice rather than passive sentiment.

He closed with a reminder of what is at stake for the next generation, stating, “Our kids do not deserve despair.” His remarks called for intentional investment in futures thinking, education, and systems that empower rather than exclude island communities from shaping their own destinies.

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Guam reaffirms 100% renewable energy commitment

Guam reaffirmed its push toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future this week with a renewed commitment to the Blue Planet Alliance’s 100 x 100 campaign, reinforcing the island’s long-term goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045.

The recommitment comes at a critical moment for the island, as recovery efforts continue following Super Typhoon Sinlaku—the strongest storm recorded globally in 2026—bringing renewed attention to the connection between energy resilience and disaster preparedness, according to the Governor’s office.

The reaffirmation was formalized during the 17th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability, hosted by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. The signing ceremony brought together Gov. Lou A. Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, and Blue Planet Alliance Executive Director Francois Rogers, marking what organizers described as a “concrete action” emerging from the conference discussions on island-led climate solutions.

Speaking on the timing of the commitment, Leon Guerrero emphasized both recovery and forward momentum: “Today, as we move a step closer to full recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, we also reaffirm our commitment to energy independence as a participating member of the Blue Planet Alliance.”

Lt. Gov. Tenorio framed the transition to renewable energy as both an environmental and economic strategy: “The goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045 is also a pathway to economic prosperity, more resilient infrastructure, and a more secure future.”

At the conference, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., noted that Guam’s renewable energy mandate, first enacted in 2019, has since grown beyond a local policy into a wider regional effort. He pointed out that Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero signed the law setting targets of 50% renewable energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045, and said the framework has continued to build momentum over time as it is supported by both legislation and regional partnerships, with growing engagement across utility and policy sectors.

Francios Rogers, Blue Planet Alliance executive director, pointed to Guam’s leadership role in shaping broader island energy transitions, describing a growing network of island partners moving toward energy sovereignty. He also introduced the alliance’s expanded 100×100 campaign, which aims to support 100 islands transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2030: “What this truly means is that, along with Guam, we want to be the leaders in making sure that we have 100 islands in the next five years who will become 100% renewable.”

Leon Guerrero, reflecting on Guam’s earlier commitments and ongoing progress, credited both policy and regional partnerships for helping move the island forward: “I remember, when we signed the Blue Planet Alliance document, where we became a member of the Blue Planet Alliance. As a result of that, we have really evolved and moved on with some really great progress in terms of reaching some of the goals.”

She also acknowledged the broader regional collaboration driving sustainability efforts: “I also want to just shout out to the Micronesia Challenge team, because really, they’re the ones that sort of drive some of these goals.”

Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, who co-chairs the Guam Green Growth Steering Committee with Shelton, emphasized the broader significance of island-led action:

“I think that what this is demonstrating is that islands can empower themselves to make policy directions and to give direction to those that are not only providing energy, but those of us that are in the pathway to enable and get this thing done.”

As Guam continues its energy transition, officials say the renewed commitment through the Blue Planet Alliance signals not only policy continuity, but also a deepening regional alliance—one focused on energy independence, climate resilience, and a shared sustainable future for island communities.

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Investing in sustainability yields 30x return for Guam Green Growth

With approximately $1 million in annual local funding, the Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative generated more than $30 million in external funding last year—an over 30-fold return that underscores the value of investing in sustainability programs, according to UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D.

“So we always want to make sure that we’re showing a great return on investment,” Shelton said on Thursday at the 17th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability.

G3 is a community-driven multi-sectoral partnership that turns island-wide sustainability goals into real action through programs in workforce development, conservation and watershed restoration, education, waste reduction, among others. UOG CIS & SG implements programs and facilitates collaboration with G3.

Another key focus of the presentation was the expansion of sustainable alliances. “We do a lot here locally, but we’re also reaching out to the rest of the world to move some of these efforts forward.” Through G3’s partnerships with regional and global networks such as the Local2030 Islands Network, it has helped support the development of similar initiatives in the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Locally, Shelton also spotlighted circular economy initiatives, particularly the G3 Makerspace & Innovation hub in Hagåtña. The space combines cultural and technical workshops—from traditional knowledge sharing to computer repair—aimed at reducing imports and minimizing waste. One standout project involves recycling plastic into durable materials used to restore damaged school desks following Typhoon Mawar.

Education and outreach remain central to the mission of UOG CIS & SG. Programs like the CHalan Deskubre, a place-based science magazine, and its newly launched educational hub at UOG Dean Circle, are helping shift learning toward local ecosystems, species, and challenges. According to Shelton, these initiatives, alongside classroom visits and outreach events are reaching thousands of students each year and inspiring a new generation of island-based scientists.

Shelton also pointed to advances in food security through aquaculture. Community-based aquaponics systems are being distributed across Guam, enabling families to produce their own fish and vegetables while reducing pressure on marine resources. The integration of locally grown fish into culinary events further demonstrates the viability of sustainable food systems.

Environmental restoration efforts are also gaining momentum. Through tree planting, carbon sequestration studies, and the reintroduction of endangered species, UOG CIS & SG is actively restoring Guam’s ecosystems. Watershed projects alone have led to thousands of trees planted annually, supported in part by innovative partnerships that engage visitors and residents alike.

Workforce development continues to be a cornerstone of Guam Green Growth. The G# Conservation Corps program has expanded significantly, now supporting dozens of participants each year. Over the past five years, Corps members have collected more than 200,000 aluminum cans, planted thousands of trees, and contributed to island-wide cleanup and erosion control efforts. These initiatives not only address environmental challenges but also prepare participants for careers in the emerging green economy.

Shelton also highlighted the “Navigating Home” program, which addresses the long-standing issue of brain drain by supporting students who pursue advanced degrees off-island to return and work in local government agencies. He said by investing in local talent, the program strengthens Guam’s capacity to lead its own sustainability efforts

Shelton also highlighted the growing scale of UOG CIS & SG, which now includes more than 80 team members working across research, education, and community programs. These efforts range from sea turtle research and fisheries management to watershed restoration and workforce development.

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

CIS2026 WEDNESDAY: Personal stories driving sustainability, community and action at SEED Talks

Stories—not just systems and statistics—defined the CIS2026 SEED Talks, where voices from across the island community transformed personal journeys into powerful calls for change. Framed as “ideas worth cultivating,” the speaker series invited participants to move beyond data and into lived experience, weaving together narratives of loss, identity, resilience, and hope. In an intimate, TED-style setting, each speaker offered a glimpse into how their own paths, shaped by culture, community, and connection to land and sea—continue to inform their work.

Held during the 17th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability (CIS2026), the CIS SEED Talks featured Kallen Perez of Guåhan Sustainable Culture, Leilani Sablan-Naden, a fishery biologist with the UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant, and Frank Camacho, owner of CRANK INDUSTRIES—each bringing a distinct voice grounded in personal experience and community connection.

Opening the session, Kallen Perez shared a deeply personal journey into conservation, reflecting on how nature helped her heal and find purpose. “I’m not a researcher, I’m not a scientist, I don’t have any fancy data to share with you today, but I am a writer, I’m a mom of three, and I’m excited to share a story with you about my unlikely journey into conservation,” she said. Through her connection to Ritidian and her work with Guåhan Sustainable Culture, Perez emphasized the urgency of environmental stewardship, adding, “friends the land and sea are calling us let’s answer that call together.”

Perez traced her path from personal loss to advocacy, describing how a visit to Ritidian after the passing of both her parents sparked a deep sense of belonging and responsibility to place. That experience led her to conservation work, community advocacy, and education efforts with youth, while also shaping how she raises her own children with a strong connection to the land. She also warned of emerging threats such as deep sea mining, noting, “deep sea mining is the live fire training range of our time,” and calling for greater collective action to protect the ocean as both an ancestral source and a shared future.

Leilani Sablan-Naden followed with a talk centered on trust and relationships in fisheries science, drawing from her experience working with Guam’s fishing community. “I’ve come to believe something simple but transformative better data starts with better relationships not better spreadsheets not better software better relationships,” she said. She underscored the importance of collaboration and respect in research, noting that meaningful data emerges when communities feel seen and valued.

As a self-described introvert entering the field, Sablan-Naden recalled the uncertainty she felt approaching fishers for the first time, only to realize that trust—not technical skill—was the biggest barrier to collecting meaningful data. Over time, she built relationships by showing up consistently and connecting through her own identity as a fisherwoman. That shared experience helped transform her work from transactional data collection into a collaborative process, where fishers became active partners in research, contributing knowledge shaped by generations of experience on the water.

Closing the session, entrepreneur and former UFC fighter Frank Camacho connected sustainability to resilience and identity, particularly in the wake of recent storms across the region. “Sustainability is the ability to take a hit and stay standing sustainability is the ability to recover without losing your identity sustainability is the ability to rebuild man without losing your values,” he said. Emphasizing the strength of island communities, Camacho reminded attendees that “our real superpower is how we show up for each other,” reinforcing the role of unity and culture in shaping a sustainable future.

Drawing from his career in professional fighting and his upbringing in the Marianas, Camacho framed resilience through the lens of discipline, preparation, and community. He likened typhoons to moments in the ring that test not just strength, but character, stressing that true readiness is built long before disaster strikes. His reflections grounded sustainability in everyday island life—neighbors helping neighbors, families supporting one another, and communities coming together in times of crisis. For Camacho, the island’s greatest strength lies not just in systems, but in its people.

CIS2026 SEEDS Talk was moderated by UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant assistant science communicator and Mix96 radio personality Reese Espinosa.

“This is my second year hosting Seed Talks, and for the second time I am truly honored to be able to introduce these distinguished speakers. They highlighted not only the issues we face in our community but also the issues they may have had in their own personal lives and I truly believe that is the best way to captivate any crowd, especially when you can tell it comes from a place deep in their heart. I look forward to hearing next year’s Seed Talk ” Ideas Worth Cultivating.”