Ava Suba, a participant in the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Alliance Guam program, is currently working under the mentorship of Bastian Bentlage Ph.D, along with graduate student Anela Duenas at the UOG Marine Lab.

Suba’s research focuses on Pavona decussata, a heat-tolerant coral species that can be found in Guam’s ocean.

As climate change continues to raise sea surface temperatures, coral reefs worldwide are facing unprecedented threats.

Suba’s research aims to shed light on how some corals, like Pavona decussata, can cope with and adapt to these increasing temperatures.

By studying the dynamics of photosynthesis and respiration in both the coral and its algal symbionts under heat stress conditions, Suba hopes to gain valuable insights into what allows these organisms to survive in hostile environments.

“Given the urgent issue of climate change and rising sea surface temperatures, coral reefs face significant risks. We aim to investigate the dynamics of photosynthesis and respiration in Pavona decussata and its algal symbionts under heat stress to better understand how some corals can cope with and adapt to increasing temperatures,” explained Suba.

Her findings could help to develop strategies for protecting and restoring coral reefs, which are crucial ecosystems for marine biodiversity and coastal communities.

The NSF INCLUDES SEAS Alliance Guam program is providing Suba with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and contribute to important scientific endeavors.

Her work is an example of just some of the research being conducted by the student researchers and fellows of the NSF INCLUDES SEAS Alliance Guam program at UOG.

With only six more years remaining until 2030, the target year for achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, along with Guam Green Growth and other multi-sectoral partners launched Sustainable September, a month-long commemoration promoting awareness of the SDGs. 

Kicking off with a proclamation signing on Friday, August 30, Sustainable September will emphasize the importance of sustainability, increase awareness about environmental issues, and strengthen the collective actions taken to protect Guam’s biodiversity. 

“As a higher education institution, the university plays a crucial role in not only promoting the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals but also in developing programs, conducting research, executing sustainable practices, and fostering discussions to find sustainable solutions to our island-wide problems,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA. “UOG also has a significant role in integrating sustainability principles across all disciplines and inspiring and empowering new sustainability leaders to carry on this important work,” she added.  

Other activities planned for Sustainable September include watershed restoration activities, tree-planting events, unveiling of sustainability-themed murals around the island and educational art installations at the DFS Galleria and the A.B. Won Pat International Airport.  

During the proclamation signing, Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, said Guam was one of the first island communities to sign up for Local2030 Islands Network, a partnership promoting the UN SDGs. 

“Guam is a founding member of Local2030 Islands Network, which signifies our commitment and leadership in advancing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals in locally and culturally effective ways,” Shelton said. 

For Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, becoming part of the network expanded Guam’s role in the global sustainability movement.   

“Embracing sustainability and sustainable development has helped us engage the region and the world. The opportunity to become a charter member of the Local2030 Islands Network meant that we could establish great partnerships with island leaders, island governments and academic institutions around the world.” 

Guam Green Growth (G3) Kupu Corps fellow Elisa Padilla has wrapped up her term working alongside the Guam Department of Agriculture Forestry Division. Padilla continued her work in sustainability following a term in the G3 Conservation Corps.

As a G3 Kupu Corps fellow, Padilla played a vital role in supporting the Forestry Division’s mission to protect and manage Guam’s forests and natural resources. In her final report Padilla explained that she expected to learn about bush cutting and plant identification but gained so much more.

“I ended up being exposed to so much more than (those activities) including fire prevention education training, a glimpse into wildfire suppression, taking soil samples, a lot of community engagement and outreach, working with volunteers, and testing my physical limits with the amount of fieldwork I performed in Guam’s humid weather,” explained Padilla.

Padilla’s passion for environmental conservation and her commitment to sustainable practices aligned perfectly with the goals of the Guam Green Growth Kupu Corps program.

Christine Fejeran is the chief of the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture and was excited to work with Padilla in this capacity explaining that she has worked with them before both as a Department of Youth Affairs Youth Summer Intern and a member of the G3 Conservation Corps.

“We knew she was going to be someone we were going to look out for. We trusted that she was going to do great things, and any agency was going to be better for having her,” said Fejeran. “We are proud of her and are excited for what’s to come.”

For Padilla, the next steps are surely going to be green.

“In the years to come, I aspire to pursue a degree related to forestry concentrating on restoration and preservation when I am financially stable enough to do so, while overall moving forward in life intending to remain as hands-on as possible in my career,” she explained.

The Guam Green Growth Kupu Corps program is a partnership between the University of Guam, the Guam Department of Agriculture, and other local organizations. The program provides opportunities for young professionals to gain valuable experience in environmental conservation and sustainability while contributing to the island’s well-being.

The Inaugural University of Guam (UOG) Research Forum, held at the UOG Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration, brought together leading minds to discuss innovative research and sustainability practices vital to the future of Guam and the Pacific region.

Among the presenters were Vince Fabia, a researcher, and Austin Shelton Ph.D., the Director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, each delivering compelling insights into the sustainable future of island communities.

Vince Fabian, a researcher with the UOG CIS, captivated the audience with his presentation on sustainable practices in island ecosystems. His research, grounded in extensive fieldwork, explores strategies for natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Fabian shared some of the goals, accomplishments, and challenges throughout the years for the Island Conservation Lab, as well as exciting plans for the near future.

“With CIS being a one of several organizations that work under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU I wanted to show reforestation on Guam can sprout success when incredible projects like these are backed by the support necessary to see it thrive,” explained Fabian.

Shelton presented about the ongoing efforts to drive community-based sustainability initiatives across the region through Guam Green Growth. Shelton’s work is characterized by its focus on empowering local communities through education, research, and outreach programs aimed at fostering environmental stewardship. His presentation detailed successful projects that have engaged youth and local leaders in sustainability efforts, including initiatives to restore Guam’s coral reefs and promote food security through sustainable agriculture.

The forum, featuring presentations from various UOG departments, provided a unique platform for interdisciplinary collaboration. The diverse range of topics presented—from environmental science to social and cultural sustainability—highlighted the university’s broad commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing Guam and the Pacific.

The success of the Inaugural UOG Research Symposium has set the stage for it to become an annual event, fostering ongoing opportunities for researchers to share their work and collaborate on solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities of island living.

At the August Guam Green Growth (G3) steering committee meeting, members focused on strengthening alliances through various local and regional platforms, from the island’s participation in the Pacific Island Forum to the expansion of Green Growth programs across Micronesia.  

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, and Guam Green Growth also announced plans to organize events for Sustainable September at the meeting held at the Governor’s complex in Adelup.  

Under the leadership of UOG and the Governor’s Office, G3 working groups shared local initiatives under different action categories contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These achievements are integrated into the G3 action framework dashboard to monitor island-wide progress 

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, provided an update on the Green Growth movement across the Micronesian Region. He mentioned that after assisting Palau and CNMI in launching their own Green Growth initiatives, the next targets are the Marshall Islands and the FSM.  

According to Shelton, who chairs the G3 steering committee, these future Green Growth partners plan to use the G3 action framework dashboard as a model for their own tracking systems.  

The reports included the following highlights:  

• Educated, Capable, and Compassionate Island: Guam Power Authority and the Guam Department of Education are collaborating to implement solar power for schools. Additionally, UOG has secured additional funding through an endowment to support capital infrastructure growth. Furthermore, Guam Community College’s YouthBuild Grant is expanding apprenticeship programs and the island’s workforce.  

• Sustainable Homes, Utilities, and Transportation: The Guam Energy Office reported the launch of the Guam 100 Advisory group tasked with developing strategies to deliver 100% renewable energy by 2045.  

• Thriving Natural Resources: Fran Castro, the associate director for operations and development at UOG Sea Grant, provided an update on an MOU between UOG Sea Grant and the Guam Department of Agriculture. The collaboration aims to gather feedback and input on a fishery management plan through outreach efforts. 

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, who co-chairs the G3 steering committee with Shelton, reported on the success of including an agenda item in the last Pacific Islands Forum for Guam’s bid for associate membership in the organization. “The Micronesian governments that are working with us all played a key role in pushing that agenda item,” Tenorio said. 

Carlotta Leon Guerrero, the chief advisor to the governor on military and regional affairs, also discussed the governor’s upcoming leadership of the Micronesian Islands Forum next year, which served to bolster partnerships in the region. Leon Guerrero reported the updates on behalf of the sustainable alliances group.  

Associate Director for Natural Resources at the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Else Demeulenaere, delivered a captivating presentation at the XX International Botanical Congress, held in Madrid, Spain.

The congress, a global gathering of over 3000 botanists, plant scientists, and conservationists, provided a platform for researchers to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and advance botanical knowledge.

As the lone presenter from Micronesia, Demeulenaere shared her latest findings in her work with the flora of the islands, specifically highlighting the findings of her work with the håyun lågu tree (Serianthes nelsoni) on Guam.

According to Demeulenaere, the large-scale congress only occurs every six years and gave her a chance to talk with other botanists and make connections about our region and the plants we have.

“It was great to hear other botanists talk and see that there were similar dispersal roads that the species that we studied took,” added Demeulenaere. “This is probably because there were the same ocean currents that all the seeds took. It was cool to see those similarities across the different talks.”

In addition to the håyun lågu presentation, Demeulenaere also presented during a discussion on decolonization. Her presentation entitled, “Biocultural Heritage of Litekyan in Guam: Connecting Stories of Spirituality and Resistance” highlighted the importance of preserving biodiversity and understanding their cultural importance in the face of the military buildup on Guam.

Demeulenaere also organized one of the 350 concurrent symposiums hosted during the congress and highlighted the discussion on the science of the Indo-Pacific region.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant announced this month the recipients of the 2024-2026 UOG Sea Grant Competitive Research Funding. The grants support research projects addressing critical challenges facing Micronesia’s coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies. 

The university officials made the announcement at an event held at the UOG RFK Memorial Library.  

An estimated $350,000 will be distributed across the research projects within the two-year period. Focus areas included healthy coastal ecosystems, environmental literacy and workforce development, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, and resilient communities and economies. 

“The UOG Sea Grant program is vital to our university’s mission,” said Sharleen Santos Bamba, Ph.D., UOG senior vice president and provost. “It supports research, education, and outreach that address the critical challenges facing our island and region. From climate change and coastal resilience to sustainable fisheries and marine conservation, this funded work will have a profound impact on our region.” 

Here are the researchers and proposals approved for funding: 

· Bastian Bentlage, Ph.D. (UOG Marine Laboratory): “Ridge to reef microbiome census and identification of reservoirs of potentially harmful bacteria in the La Sa Fua watershed, southern Guam.” 

·Peter Houk, Ph.D. (UOG Marine Laboratory):

“Mitigating climate change impacts on Micronesia coral reefs.” 

·Tom Schils, Ph.D. (UOG Marine Laboratory):

“Crustose calcifying red algae: Climate change winners on Guam’s reefs – Their abundance and contribution to the carbonate budget of coral reefs.” 

·Heloise Rouze, Ph.D. (UOG Marine Laboratory):

“Micro symbionts to support restoration of Acropora virgata in Guam’s reefs.” 

·Christina Karanassos (Palau International Coral Reef Center):

“Assessing the status of commercially important reef fish populations in Palau, to inform fisheries management.” 

·Laurie Peterka (Friends of the Mariana Trench): “Seascape of the CNMI: A study of intergenerational and culturally adaptive ocean literacy.” 

Bentlage, a UOG associate professor of bioinformatics, explained his research proposal, “We will map the distribution of bacteria throughout the watershed, including plant communities… How the bacteria impact different habitats across the watershed including the coral reefs.” According to Bentlage, the information will help inform stakeholders like the Guam Green Growth initiative and those involved in restoration efforts. 

Research projects will employ field and laboratory experiments, models, and socioeconomic studies to inform policy decisions and best management practices. To ensure maximum impact, projects selected must demonstrate a strong outreach component to engage and inform diverse audiences, including resource managers, industry stakeholders, citizen scientists, communities, and learners. 

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, said, “We now have funding to support these exceptional researchers from the University of Guam and our regional partners. Their work will provide invaluable insights to help us make informed decisions as island residents to better protect our resources.” 

“This is just the beginning,” Shelton added. “The UOG Sea Grant program has much more in store for our research initiatives.” 

The University of Guam Sea Grant program continues to make progress in protecting and understanding Guam’s endangered sea turtle population. Since 2018, Sea Grant entered into a Cooperative Agreement with NAVFAC Marianas to monitor nesting beaches on Andersen AFB. This collaboration has added years of meaningful research and conservation efforts, while remaining dedicated to preserving the native species of the Marianas, the Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles.   

A key focus of the Sea Grant program has been monitoring sea turtle nesting activity. According to Sea Turtle Biologist Addie Ferguson, unlike previous years, this nesting season was non-stop.  

“The nesting season started earlier than normal this year,” said Ferguson.  “We had more year-round nesting this year, which was great!” 

The work the team does helps to provide crucial insights into population health, migration patterns and inform conservation strategies. 

In addition to monitoring, the program is actively involved in regular outreach and educational presentation to students throughout the community. The group recently extended its sea turtle outreach efforts to the Commonwealth of the Northen Marianas through a partnership with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Marianas.  

By engaging the community, UOG Sea Grant aims to foster a deeper appreciation for sea turtles and inspire stewardship of the marine environment. 

Researchers at the program are also collaborating with local and federal partners on various research projects and recently participated in a turtle tagging training with the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program team. 

In the face of habitat loss, pollution, climate change and other stressors, the UOG Sea Grant Sea Turtle program remains committed to its mission of protecting and conserving these cultural icons. 

“Sea turtles are a culturally significant species and necessary for the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds,” added Ferguson.  “The program’s goals are to monitor and protect nests of these endangered species and to spread awareness to the local community about threats affecting our sea turtles in Guam.” 

This project is a cooperative agreement between UOG and Andersen Air Force Base and is funded by The Department of the Navy on behalf of Joint Region Marianas. Biologists are authorized to conduct research under ESA Recovery Permit ES2195A.