The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) is inviting the public and partners to share their support and experiences through a new initiative highlighting the value the program brings to Guam and the broader Micronesian region.

The “I Value CIS & Sea Grant” campaign encourages community members, partners, and program participants to add their names and comments on a dedicated web form explaining why they support the work of UOG CIS & Sea Grant. Participants can simply sign their names or share personal stories describing how the program has impacted their lives, their work, or the island community.

The effort follows a broader national initiative across Sea Grant programs throughout the United States, which are emphasizing the importance of Sea Grant research, education, and outreach programs in their local communities. These initiatives are designed to demonstrate how Sea Grant programs support coastal economies, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.

Sea Grant programs operate through partnerships between universities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are known for addressing coastal and marine issues through research, education, and community engagement.

At the University of Guam, the Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has grown into a major regional hub for sustainability initiatives, working with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups to address critical island challenges. The program focuses on environmental protection, economic development, education, and community engagement in Guam and across Micronesia.

Since its establishment, UOG CIS & Sea Grant has supported projects ranging from marine conservation and fisheries research to workforce development, watershed restoration, and sustainability initiatives such as Guam Green Growth.

The new campaign is designed to give the community an opportunity to share their voices and demonstrate the wide-ranging impact of the program’s work.

The submission form can be found at https://forms.gle/KcPP7f8LPKxJwDvX8.

From ancient fishing traditions and modern marine science to a fish kelaguen competition, the second annual Fish Fest —organized by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant —returned this month, continuing its mission to promote sustainable fishing and food security.

Anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, the festival brought together scientists, traditional fishers, and local families, alongside key partners like the UOG Marine Lab, the Guam Department of Agriculture, the Micronesian Conservation Coalition, among others, for the event held at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub at CHamoru Village.

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, highlighted biodiversity, economy, and culture as the three pillars of the event. He noted that Guam boasts some of the most diverse coral reefs in the United States, supporting over a thousand species of reef fish. Given the significance of the island’s marine resources, Shelton emphasized that the festival serves as an essential platform for sharing best practices in sustainable fishing and resource management.

“We want to be able to ensure that the values that have been passed on for generations continue to get passed on to the future. And as we go to harvest these different species that you learn about here at Fish Fest, I think that’s a really exciting and special time where we can have that focus on at least once a year for our Fish Fest and inspire the next generations to carry this forward,” Shelton said.

Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, noted that Fish Fest is a key component of the research extension and education efforts of the program. By collaborating with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other partners, the festival provides a dedicated space to discuss the status of local fisheries on Guam and the region.

Leilani Sablan-Naden, project leader for Guihan for Guahan, described the event as a celebration of a resource that has been central to CHamoru culture. “This is an outreach event that is meant to celebrate our fish, our fisheries, and this amazing resource that surrounds our island. We have our various outreach partners that are here engaging the community on the various types of work that they do, whether that is science or management…We are just here to celebrate all things fish,” Sablan-Naden said.

She added that this year’s festivities introduced several new interactive elements, including a fisher storytelling segment designed to pass down generational wisdom and a fish kelaguen competition.

Guam DoAg also played a major role in the day’s programming. Leilani Duenas, an aquatic education and outreach biologist with the Division of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, observed that in a modern world where many people are increasingly disconnected from nature, Fish Fest serves as a necessary reminder of the beauty and importance of the ocean.

“What we’re trying to do is to emphasize that message to our community, that we should care about our environment, especially what’s in our ocean. We promote fishing in our community, like I said, and part of that is fish management. Understanding the fish helps us to manage our resources better,” Duenas said.

The impact of these outreach efforts was evident among the attendees. Svetlana Adzhigirey, who visited the event with her family, said, “This is my first Fish Fest. My 8-year-oldson is just a fanatic of fishing. That’s why when he saw the sign at Fish Hook, we have to make it here,” Adzhigirey said. She also praised the “nice setup” and the educational takeaways at the event.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant’s Guihan for Guåhan (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) program are inviting the community to celebrate Guam’s rich fishing traditions and local seafood at Fish Fest 2026, set for Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CHamoru Village in Hagåtña.

The family-friendly event promises to hook residents of all ages with a mix of culture, competition and cuisine centered around one of Guam’s most important resources — fish.

Festivalgoers can look forward to a keleguen guihan competition, a lively talaya (cast net) throwing contest, and opportunities to purchase fresh local catch. The event will also feature partner displays, local vendors, hands-on activities, live music, and giveaways throughout the day.

“Last year’s Fish Fest was a great opportunity for the community to come out and learn about the fishing culture on our island,” said UOG CIS & Sea Grant director Austin Shelton, Ph.D. “This year we look forward to continuing the growth of this event and welcoming partners, vendors and community members to an event that will celebrate something very important to our people, fish.”

Presented under the Guihan for Guåhan program, Fish Fest aims to highlight sustainable fisheries, support local fishers, and strengthen community connections to Guam’s ocean resources. The initiative, housed within UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, focuses on promoting responsible fishing practices and food security across the island.

“Fish Fest is all about bringing our community together around something we all value: our fish and fisheries,” said Leilani Naden, lead of the Guihan for Guahan program. “Whether you fish, want to start fishing, or just love eating and learning about local fish, we welcome you to come celebrate with us. Everyone has a place at Fish Fest.”

Community members interested in participating in the keleguen competition, becoming a vendor or learning more can call Sablan at 671-488-8223. Updates are also available on Instagram at @guam_fish, @uogcis, and @uogseagrant.

With fresh seafood, island flavors and cultural traditions on full display, Fish Fest 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration of Guam’s enduring connection to the sea.

The University of Guam (UOG) has announced an extension of the 17th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability (CIS2026), expanding the event through April 26 with the addition of two days of programming in Saipan, further strengthening its partnership with Northern Marianas College (NMC).

Originally scheduled to conclude on Friday, April 24, 2026, the conference’s extension reflects growing regional interest and a shared commitment between UOG and NMC to address sustainability challenges unique to island communities across Micronesia.

The additional Saipan-based programming will bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, students, and community leaders from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to engage in discussions focused on climate resilience, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

The decision to extend the conference underscores the importance of regional collaboration in addressing island sustainability issues that transcend political and geographic boundaries.

“We have a long standing partnership with Northern Marianas College, and we are so excited to continue building that bond through opportunities like this,” said University of Guam President and CIS2026 co-chairperson Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA. “CIS has always been about island sustainability, and we are excited to now include our CNMI family into one of UOG’s premier annual events.”

By hosting sessions in Saipan, the conference aims to increase access and participation for CNMI-based stakeholders while reinforcing the importance of sustainability research and education.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between UOG and NMC that emphasizes workforce development, academic exchange, and community-driven research.

“NMC is ready to continue our support for sustainability throughout the Marianas and Pacific through this partnership with UOG CIS and Sea Grant,” said NMC president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Ed.D. “What a phenomenal way to not only begin a new chapter for our partnership in the Marianas, but highlight our recent Sea Grant status here at NMC with our closest Sea Grant partners in Guam.”

The Conference on Island Sustainability, now in its 17th year, has become a flagship event for the University of Guam, serving as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and practical solutions to the environmental and social challenges facing island communities.

“The expansion of the conference highlights our growing partnership with the Northern Marianas College and our shared responsibility to advance solutions grounded in island knowledge and regional cooperation,” said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., the director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant. “The CNMI Green Growth Initiative is making great strides in sustainability innovation. It will be an exciting experience for CIS2026 participants to join us in the beautiful CNMI.”

Events in Saipan will be organized by the NMC and 500 Sails and will include a cultural seminar, canoe experience, Sea Talks, and a Managaha Conservation Experience.

CIS2026 is presented by the University of Guam CIS & Sea Grant, Guam Power Authority, Guam Southern Soil and Water Conservation District, Guam NSF EPSCoR,The Nature Conservancy and the Office of the Governor.

For registration details including the new NMC and Saipan offerings interested attendees can visit uog.edu/cis2026.

The 17 University of Guam students who attended the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference received formal recognition from the Guam Legislature for representing the island at the national event. The students participated in the conference as members of the Guam NSF EPSCoR, SEAS Islands Alliance and Navigating Home programs at UOG.

Sen. Vincent A.V. Borja, who chairs the Legislature’s Committee on Education, presented certificates to the students during a ceremony held at the UOG College of Natural and Applied Sciences conference room.

Among those recognized were three UOG students who earned recognition for their research presentations. Azer Bilimon, a student in the UOG School of Engineering, received the Native American/Indigenous Student Research Abstract Award, while Archancel Abellera and Cameron San Agustin received Outstanding Research Presentation awards.

Borja commended the students for their achievements and for representing Guam on a national stage. “We want to ensure that we, as elected officials and public leaders, recognize the work that our students do here at the University of Guam,” Borja said. “For me, this is a big deal.”

Borja noted that participation in national conferences sparks interest in Guam, particularly when students return home after receiving awards and share their experiences with the university and the community.

For Abellera, receiving an award was unexpected but affirming. “I was really surprised to be recognized,” she said.

Her award-winning presentation, “Preserving Endangered Orchids in the Marianas: Propagation Techniques for Species Recovery,” focused on conserving Dendrobium guamense, an endangered orchid found only in the Marianas.

“It was a great experience. I feel like I’ve stepped into a world where I have more trust in my skills,” she said.

Bilimon’s presentation, “Evaluating the Mechanical and Sustainable Benefits of Fibrous Reinforcement in Seawater and Freshwater Mortar Mixtures,” explored the use of coconut fibers in construction. The project was inspired by the resource challenges faced by island communities such as Guam and the Marshall Islands.

Meanwhile, San Agustin’s presentation, “Exploring Propagation Techniques for Conservation of Myrtella bennigseniana, a Native Savanna Shrub,” examined methods to improve the propagation of Myrtella bennigseniana, a native shrub that helps restore Guam’s savanna ecosystems threatened by land development and habitat loss.

Cheryl Sangueza, Ph.D., co-principal investigator of the NSF INCLUDES SEAS and NSF Navigating Home grants and head of student experience for Guam NSF EPSCoR, said UOG has participated in SACNAS conferences since 2018.

For some of the students, this was their first time traveling off island, according to Sangueza, who added that SACNAS exposes them to a broader community of STEM professionals while also bringing recognition to Guam.

She noted that the conference draws approximately 7,000 participants and features around a hundred research presentations. “The most important thing is going out and representing who we are as students from Guam,” Sangueza said. She added that mentors and conference attendees frequently seek out the UOG booth to commend the professionalism and quality of the students’ presentations.

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., highlighted the broader impact of research opportunities on student success.

“We’ve created close to 300—or even more than 300—research opportunities for students that didn’t exist before,” Shelton said. “That allows us to do things like take them to national conferences.”

Shelton emphasized that geographic distance often limits access to national opportunities for students in Guam. “At these conferences, students are gaining scholarships, fellowships, job opportunities and acceptance into graduate programs,” he said.

UOG sent a 28-member delegation to the 2025 SACNAS Conference, including students, mentors, and science communicators. The nation’s largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM event took place in Columbus, Ohio, drawing participants from across the United States and its territories.

Support for select students to attend the SACNAS Conference was also made possible in part by USDA‑NIFA‑funded NextGen Grant.

The University of Guam’s commitment to sustainability and student opportunity was on full display during the recent UOG New Student Orientation event organized by the UOG’s student services team, where a coalition of campus programs came together to present a unified, student-focused welcome.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant), NSF Navigating Home, Guam NSF EPSCoR, the SEAS Islands Alliance, and Guam Green Growth collaborated to host a comprehensive booth designed to introduce new and returning students to a wide range of academic, research, and fellowship opportunities centered on sustainability and island resilience.

Rather than operating as separate programs, the partners intentionally created a shared space that highlighted how their efforts intersect—connecting environmental research, workforce development, Indigenous knowledge, and community-based solutions. Staff and student representatives were on hand throughout the event to answer questions, distribute informational materials, and encourage students to explore pathways that align with their academic interests and career goals.

“Our goal was to make it easy for students to see the bigger picture,” said Gabby Topasna from UOG CIS & Sea Grant. “These programs are deeply connected, and together they offer students hands-on experiences, paid fellowships, research opportunities, and mentorship focused on sustainability issues that matter here on Guam and across the region.”

Students visiting the booth learned about opportunities ranging from undergraduate research and internships to fellowships and professional development programs supported by the National Science Foundation. Programs such as Navigating Home and Guam NSF EPSCoR emphasized pathways for students to engage in place-based research, while the SEAS Islands Alliance and Guam Green Growth showcased regional partnerships and applied solutions aimed at building a more sustainable island future.

“The student experience is a large part of what makes our programs successful,” said Franki Guerrero from Guam NSF EPSCoR. “Showing them the opportunities that lie within our programs that not only help them learn and get that hands-on experience but also help them deal with some of the costs via our stipends, really goes a long way in helping them navigate through this time of their lives.”

The collaborative booth also served as a platform to highlight ongoing sustainability initiatives at UOG, reinforcing the university’s role as a leader in addressing climate change, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience in island communities.

Programs represented include:

UOG CIS and Sea Grant Turtle Program

Guam NSF EPSCoR (E-Core and E-Rise)
Micronesia Challenge
Guihan for Guahan
Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW)
UOG CIS and Sea Grant Natural Resources (Island Conservation Lab)
Guam Green Growth Action Framework
G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub
NSF Navigating Home & SEAS Islands Alliance
UOG CIS and Sea Grant Community Engagement

For many students, the booth was their first introduction to the breadth of sustainability-focused work taking place on campus. Organizers said the response underscored the value of presenting a coordinated message that connects academic programs with real-world impact.

As UOG continues to expand its sustainability and research initiatives, presenters noted that events like student orientation are critical moments to engage students early, helping them see how their education can contribute to meaningful solutions for Guam and the wider region.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) has announced the arrival of Emma Perez as its new Fiscal Officer, bringing decades of financial leadership and nonprofit experience to the many environmental, research, capacity building and workforce development programs it hosts.

Perez is the founder of 500 Sails, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to reviving traditional seafaring knowledge in the Mariana Islands while promoting environmental stewardship and cultural sustainability. Her work with 500 Sails has been widely recognized for strengthening community connections to the ocean and advancing education rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

In her new role at UOG CIS & Sea Grant, Perez will oversee fiscal operations and financial management, supporting grants that address island sustainability, coastal resilience, climate adaptation, and marine resource stewardship across Guam and Micronesia.

Perez brings more than forty years of finance experience, much of it serving nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Throughout her career, she has been known for combining rigorous financial oversight with a deep understanding of organizational values, ensuring that limited resources are managed responsibly and strategically to maximize community impact.

“Emma’s background uniquely positions her for this role,” said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG CIS & Sea Grant. “She understands both the technical demands of fiscal management and the cultural and environmental context in which our work takes place. We are grateful she navigated to Guam and our center as the next destination in her life journey.”

Her appointment comes at a time when UOG CIS & Sea Grant continues to expand its research, education, and community outreach efforts in response to environmental challenges facing island communities.

Perez said she looks forward to supporting the center’s mission. “The work of CIS & Sea Grant is critical for the future of our islands,” she said. “I’m honored to contribute my experience in service of sustainability, community, and our ocean. My family has been a part of UOG for generations and I am excited to begin my new voyage here.”