The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS/SG) successfully hosted a community tree planting event at their Ugum watershed project site as a part of Sustainable September. The event was coordinated as a part of the groups Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) Initiative that works to reforest areas to prevent soil erosion.

Dozens of volunteers, including students, faculty, staff, and community members, gathered to plant a variety of trees, each with the purpose of helping to secure the soil in place and prevent further runoff into the southern rivers and bays.

The erosion of the watershed has led to problems with the southern water treatment plant and coral reefs in the area that are suffocated by the sediments. 

Daniel Stone Jr. is the project lead for GROW and was excited for the first community planting event of the rainy season.

“We have several planting events for the community to join us for between now and the end of the year,” explained Stone. “Families, community groups and members of the island community are welcome to join us to make a difference, one tree at a time.”

According to Stone, this first planting saw nearly 1,600 trees installed along the Ugum hillside.  The target for this year is to plant over 5000. 

“It is a lot of fun for people who like to be outside and experience new things,” added Stone. “It is also a certified service-learning opportunity for the students of public high schools that need those credits.”

Edward Suarez was glad to attend the event, the first time he has ever planted trees, and to learn about the watershed erosion and its effects on our island and coastal ecosystems.

“This was my first time planting trees, and it won’t be my last time,” said Suarez. “Not only am I outside doing something fun, but it is helping our island.  It’s a win-win.”

The next planting is scheduled for October 5, 2024 at the Ugum site and will begin at 8am with a safety briefing and project introduction for newcomers. 

“We are thrilled to see so many people come out and participate in this important initiative,” said Austin Shelton, Ph.D. Director of UOG CIS/SG. “Planting trees is a tangible way to contribute to the health and resilience of our island.”

The tree planting event was part of UOG’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices and protect Guam’s natural resources through the Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant.  Projects and progress will be on display during the 16th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability from April 7 to 12, 2025.

Directions to the project site and more information about the upcoming planting event can be found on the UOG Sea Grant website at UOG.edu/seagrant or on the group’s social media pages.

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The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS/SG) program has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the Gyeongin Sea Grant (GSG) program from South Korea, marking a significant milestone in international marine science collaboration.

This partnership is the first of its kind, introducing South Korea’s advanced numerical modeling technology, digital twin technology, to the United States through the Sea Grant international collaborations.

During a recent visit, representatives from the two institutions agreed to combine South Korea’s sophisticated digital twin modeling with the University of Guam’s extensive marine and fisheries data. This collaboration promises to improve marine science research, enhance data sharing, and foster stronger ties between the United States and South Korea.

GSG Director Seung-Buhm Woo says the collaboration between the two programs will have a major impact on the study of the marine ecology in the region.

“The integration of South Korea’s numerical modeling capabilities with Guam’s marine data is expected to lead to significant advancements in understanding marine environments and promoting the sustainability of marine resources,” explained Woo. “This partnership underscores the global nature of marine science research and the importance of international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing our oceans.”

UOG CIS/SG’s Brett Taylor, Ph.D., has been working with the South Korea Sea Grant team in preparation for this partnership and is excited for the opportunities this will provide to Guam.

“This is going to give us an opportunity at expanding the understanding of near-shore environments, it opens possibilities for infrastructure with the theoretical modeling, but can be used to build and test hypotheses,” added Taylor. “If we wanted coastal development at the boat basin, you could potentially stick the data into the model and see how it would influence sediment.”

As the first official research cooperation under the Sea Grant program between the United States and South Korea, this project is set to be a landmark project in US-Korea Sea Grant collaboration. It highlights the commitment of both programs to fostering scientific exchange and working together towards the preservation and understanding of marine ecosystems.

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.