University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant associate director for natural resources Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D., represented Guam at a prestigious international seminar on bat conservation at UCLouvain in Belgium, where researchers from across the Indo-Pacific region gathered to discuss the critical intersection of indigenous knowledge and species protection.

The two-day seminar brought together experts in anthropology, history, and biology to examine flying foxes, insectivorous bats, and their relationships with indigenous and local populations throughout the Indo-Pacific. Organized by Frédéric Laugrand as part of the ERC-interspecific project, the event addressed urgent issues including predation, traditional consumption practices, cultural representations, and conservation strategies for threatened bat species.

Demeulenaere delivered a presentation titled “Tastes of Memory, Cries of Survival: Protecting Fanihi and Fadang in a Changing Guåhan,” highlighting the cultural significance of Guam’s endangered Mariana fruit bat and the cycad plant fadang. She also led a workshop on “Fruit Bats, Indigenous Knowledge, and the Interdisciplinary Path to Biocultural Conservation in the Indo-Pacific.”

“It was inspiring to see researchers from across disciplines, anthropology, history, and biology, come together to explore new approaches to bat conservation and habitat protection,” Demeulenaere said. “The level of engagement in the workshop showed that integrating Indigenous knowledge is not only culturally important, but scientifically essential to protecting bats in a time of ecological crisis.”

The seminar addressed critical conservation challenges as many bat species face extinction threats. Participants explored how indigenous knowledge systems, including those of Austronesian-speaking populations, can inform modern conservation efforts and protect both the animals and their habitats.

Demeulenaere emphasized the broader implications of the gathering for Pacific Island communities. “This seminar created meaningful new connections across the Indo-Pacific region, and I look forward to future collaborations,” she said. “Our island stories and conservation challenges are central to global conversation, especially as we work urgently to prevent the extinction of species that are culturally important and ecologically irreplaceable.”

The fanihi, or Mariana fruit bat, holds deep cultural significance in CHamoru tradition and plays a vital ecological role as a pollinator and seed disperser in Guam’s forests. The species has faced severe population decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and invasive species.

Over 125 community members gathered at Gab Gab Beach for a critical Brown Tree Snake (BTS) Control Workshop and Snake Hunt, a collaborative effort organized by NAVFAC Marianas and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant). 

The event, coordinated in conjunction with the UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s Island Conservation Lab under the tagline “Learn. Spot. Protect Native Species of the Marianas!”, was designed to raise urgent awareness about preventing the dispersal of the invasive brown tree snake, or Boiga irregularis, from Guam, which poses a serious economic and environmental threat to the CNMI and other islands in the region. Preventing this spread via military and air cargo is a top priority for Joint Region Marianas.

Participants, families, and volunteers alike engaged in live demonstrations of various snake control tools, learned how to identify the highly cryptic BTS in a forest canopy, and practiced how to safely capture and humanely dispatch the snakes.

“Suppressing the brown tree snake on Guam is not just an ecological necessity, it is a culturally imperative,” said UOG CIS & Sea Grant associate director for natural resources Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D. “Every species we protect is part of our island’s identity, our stories, and our future. Restoring balance means safeguarding the biodiversity that sustains our people, our heritage, and the resilience of our land.”

In addition to BTS, the workshop broadened its focus to include other invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and feral ungulates, with various partner agencies providing expertise:

• USDA-WS showcased control tools and brought live snakes for participants to handle.
• USGS/NPS shared details on its citizen science program for BTS removal and led groups on the subsequent night hunt.
• DOAG-DAWR highlighted Guam’s community response, “Kontra I Kulepbla.”

Other partner agencies included Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The workshop culminated in an evening Snake Hunt that drew over 85 enthusiastic participants eager to put their new spotting skills to the test.

Despite the snake’s “cryptic nature and agile climbing skills,” participants successfully spotted four snakes and managed to catch three of them.

Leanne Obra, an event organizer with NAVFAC Marianas, expressed her surprise and gratitude over the high engagement.

“I was surprised by the large number of people that showed up for the Snake Hunt and I’m grateful that we caught some snakes,” said Obra. “We weren’t expecting such a turn-out. I was also amazed by our Partners going above and beyond. Their commitment to making this event a success truly made a difference and created a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

This outreach initiative aims to promote citizen natural resource management, recognizing that the BTS has contributed to the extinction or extirpation of 13 of Guam’s 21 native birds and 13 native reptile species, causing cascading ecological effects across the island. The organizers emphasized that community engagement is crucial in fostering support for these conservation efforts.

Community members interested in continuing the fight against invasive species have an upcoming opportunity:

• NAVFAC Marianas and UOG CIS and Sea Grant will host another BTS Control Workshop and Snake Hunt at Tarague Beach, Andersen Air Force Base, on Saturday, February 28.

Organizers remind the public that if a snake is spotted, the immediate goal is to immobilize and humanely dispatch it, maintaining visual contact while proceeding with caution, as the BTS is mildly toxic.

Over 125 community members gathered at Gab Gab Beach for a critical Brown Tree Snake (BTS) Control Workshop and Snake Hunt, a collaborative effort organized by NAVFAC Marianas and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant). 

The event, coordinated in conjunction with the UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s Island Conservation Lab under the tagline “Learn. Spot. Protect Native Species of the Marianas!”, was designed to raise urgent awareness about preventing the dispersal of the invasive brown tree snake, or Boiga irregularis, from Guam, which poses a serious economic and environmental threat to the CNMI and other islands in the region. Preventing this spread via military and air cargo is a top priority for Joint Region Marianas.

Participants, families, and volunteers alike engaged in live demonstrations of various snake control tools, learned how to identify the highly cryptic BTS in a forest canopy, and practiced how to safely capture and humanely dispatch the snakes.

“Suppressing the brown tree snake on Guam is not just an ecological necessity, it is a culturally imperative,” said UOG CIS & Sea Grant associate director for natural resources Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D. “Every species we protect is part of our island’s identity, our stories, and our future. Restoring balance means safeguarding the biodiversity that sustains our people, our heritage, and the resilience of our land.”

In addition to BTS, the workshop broadened its focus to include other invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and feral ungulates, with various partner agencies providing expertise:

• USDA-WS showcased control tools and brought live snakes for participants to handle.
• USGS/NPS shared details on its citizen science program for BTS removal and led groups on the subsequent night hunt.
• DOAG-DAWR highlighted Guam’s community response, “Kontra I Kulepbla.”

Other partner agencies included Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The workshop culminated in an evening Snake Hunt that drew over 85 enthusiastic participants eager to put their new spotting skills to the test.

Despite the snake’s “cryptic nature and agile climbing skills,” participants successfully spotted four snakes and managed to catch three of them.

Leanne Obra, an event organizer with NAVFAC Marianas, expressed her surprise and gratitude over the high engagement.

“I was surprised by the large number of people that showed up for the Snake Hunt and I’m grateful that we caught some snakes,” said Obra. “We weren’t expecting such a turn-out. I was also amazed by our Partners going above and beyond. Their commitment to making this event a success truly made a difference and created a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

This outreach initiative aims to promote citizen natural resource management, recognizing that the BTS has contributed to the extinction or extirpation of 13 of Guam’s 21 native birds and 13 native reptile species, causing cascading ecological effects across the island. The organizers emphasized that community engagement is crucial in fostering support for these conservation efforts.

Community members interested in continuing the fight against invasive species have an upcoming opportunity:

• NAVFAC Marianas and UOG CIS and Sea Grant will host another BTS Control Workshop and Snake Hunt at Tarague Beach, Andersen Air Force Base, on Saturday, February 28.

Organizers remind the public that if a snake is spotted, the immediate goal is to immobilize and humanely dispatch it, maintaining visual contact while proceeding with caution, as the BTS is mildly toxic.

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) has announced that the GROW in Malojloj tree planting event, originally schedule for this coming Saturday, November 8, 2025 has been postponed until Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 8am.

The final tree planting event for the season will be rescheduled in anticipation of inclement weather expected this weekend.

According to Joshua Muna, Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) lead and event coordinator, the expected rain could lead to safety issues.

“We really appreciate all the support from the community of our restoration efforts this year,” said Muna. “Safety of our volunteers and team is very important to us, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Ugum Watershed when the weather clears up.”

GROW’s work is aimed at planting trees and reforesting the Ugum Watershed to help prevent erosion and the runoff of sediment into the southern water treatment process and into the coastal ecosystems surrounding Guam.

When sediment reaches those areas it can lead to problems with the water supply to the southern customers of the island, and to the smothering and degradation of coral reefs when the dirt covers the coral and prevents sunlight from making its way to species.

More information on the GROW initiative and the rescheduled planting event can be found at UOG.edu/seagrant or on social media @uogseagrant or @uogcis.

In partnership with the Guam Department of Agriculture’s (DOAG) Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources (DAWR), the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) and ICF (a national leader in Habitat Conservation Plan consulting) held two public town hall meetings in Hågat and Dededo about the developing of the Guam Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

The HCP is being developed to balance the protection of Guam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage while still supporting sustainable infrastructure and building development. Work on the project began in 2020.

At the most recent HCP Town Hall meetings, the HCP Development Team asked members of the public to voice their concerns related to development and conservation.

“Some people expressed their concerns with the impacts on nature from unregulated development, which is a huge issue that DOAG continuously works toward addressing,” said UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s project associate and HCP Coordinator, Caley Jay Chargualaf. “That’s what makes the Guam HCP so important—it will ensure that DOAG can facilitate economic development on island and simultaneously prioritize the needs of our unique species.”

The town halls provided a platform for community members to speak to agency members working directly on developing the HCP.

“Through our outreach events, I’ve learned that many people wish our fanihi (Marianas Fruit Bat) were more abundant again” shares Chargualaf. “It’s a great opportunity to highlight how the HCP aims to directly benefit the fanihi, its habitat, and that of other plant and animal species on island.”

UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s Associate Director for Natural Resources, Else Demeulenaere Ph.D., highlights the importance of public input as the HCP continues to take shape.

“Community members are encouraged to participate in stakeholder groups, attend public meetings, and share their perspectives to help shape the plan,” said Demeulenaere. “Just as important, you can bring the conversation home, talk with friends and family about why the Guam HCP matters, and help build an understanding of how we can grow responsibly while safeguarding the species and habitats that make Guam unique.”

More information on the HCP can be found at http://www.guamhcp.com.

The University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub has announced two workshops to be hosted at their CHamoru Village campus showcasing both cultural knowledge and high-tech innovation.

Fiber Laser Engraver Workshop

The fiber laser engraver workshop, to be held on Thursday, October 23rd from 5pm to 7:30pm, is geared toward the future of local entrepreneurship and design.

This modern, technical training will introduce attendees to the sophisticated world of fiber laser engraving, a process used for permanent marking and customization on materials like metals, plastics, and various industrial components. This skill is highly sought after in modern fabrication, manufacturing, and personalized gift industries.

“The workshop is perfect for designers, small business owners looking to expand their product offerings, or anyone interested in learning how to operate powerful, precision technology,” explained G3 Makerspace Coordinator Emily Wendte. “Mastering this tool provides a direct pathway into high-value, digitally driven production.”

Finanåguen Tinifok Katupat Weaving Workshop with Kadu

On the other end of the maker spectrum this weaving workshop, which will be held on Thursday, October 30th from 5pm to 7:30pm, focuses on the art of weaving the katupat, a diamond-shaped pouch traditionally woven from coconut leaves to hold rice. More than just a craft, tinifok (weaving) is a vital part of CHamoru heritage, blending sustainability with a functional art form.

Led by CHamoru weaver Martha Tenorio, the workshop provides hands-on instruction in this generational skill. It is a powerful chance for attendees to actively engage in cultural preservation, ensuring this traditional knowledge and the intricate, natural beauty of katupat continue to thrive.

According to Abby Crain the G3 Circular Economy Coordinator, along with the weaving showcase, participants will be treated to some kadu, or CHamoru Stew, to eat with the rice cooked in the katupat.

These two events highlight a strong community focus on holistic development. By valuing the knowledge passed down through generations—like the weaving of the katupat—while simultaneously developing modern digital manufacturing skills, the island community builds a resilient, prosperous, and culturally secure future.

Interested participants are encouraged to secure their spots soon as capacity is limited for these specialized sessions. Registration can be completed digitally at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/guam-green-growth-circular-economy-makerspace and more information about the G3 Makerspace is available at guamgreengrowth.org.

The partnership between the University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth (G3) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Green Growth Initiative (CNMI GG) celebrated a major milestone last week with the official launch of the CNMI Green Growth Kupu Conservation Corps in Saipan. This regional expansion brings a proven model of environmental workforce development to the CNMI, aiming to train a new generation of leaders for the Pacific green economy.

The CNMI Green Growth Kupu Corps is a collaborative effort, facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant), and is modeled after the highly successful Guam-based G3 Conservation Corps. 

According to UOG CIS and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton Ph.D. the conservation corps programs have already trained over a hundred individuals in various sustainability sectors.

The new CNMI program will build capacity in critical areas across both Guam and the CNMI, emphasizing regional cooperation to address shared environmental challenges.

“You’ve heard that saying, ‘a rising tide floats all boats.’ The more of us that are doing this work together, the better it is for all of us. This is one small way that our people, even though we’re separated by land, we’re connected by water,” said Shelton.

The CNMI Green Growth Initiative is facilitated by the Northern Marianas College (NMC), the leading workforce development institution in the CNMI.   NMC President and Co-Chair of CNMI GG Galvin De Leon Guerrero Ed.D. welcomed the new members to the fold and encouraged them to look for the deeper meaning of the program.

“What I love about this program and what I love about CIS and Sea Grant and the Green Growth Initiative is that it really gets at the core of what we do in education and it’s something that as members of this inaugural cohort I hope you all take to heart, because to me, the point of education is to improve lives,” added De Leon Guerrero.

The CNMI GG Kupu Conservation Corps is supported by the long-standing partnership with Kupu Hawai‘I’s Conservation Leadership Development Program (CLDP), a paid program for early professionals interested in pursuing a career in conservation. The CLDP aims to prepare participants for careers in the rapidly growing green economy in Hawai’i, Guam, the CNMI and across the Pacific.

Cohort member Gabriel Arkoh explained what motivated him to join the corps.

“What inspired me to join is honestly being born and raised here you see a lot of our islands, our island needs us,” said Arkoh. “Being able to be a part of that and creating a better future for everyone, being able to create a better future for those coming up is something that inspires me.”

Members are stationed at two host sites on Saipan:

American Memorial Park

•       Joan Tomokane

•       John Paul Castro

•       Isaiah Joel Torre

•       David Quitugua

•       Gabriel Arkoh

•       Myles Techur

Department of Lands and Natural Resources CNMI Forestry

•       Kazuki Aguon

•       John Kintol

Throughout the workforce development program members receive a stipend and upon completion can also access an educational grant through the AmeriCorps program providing them with both financial and academic support as they transition into full-time environmental work.

Groups interested in hosting a Kupu Conservation Corps member can contact the program’s coordinator Annania Nauta-Kemp at annania.kemp@kupuhawaii.org.

Ever had surf and turf with a twist, featuring tilapia raised right here through the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant’s aquaculture program? That was on the table at this year’s Maila Ta Fan Chesa, where sustainability and food security weren’t just topics of discussion — they were part of the menu.

The event took place at the Hyatt Regency Guam, where the Micronesian Chefs Association, in partnership with the American Culinary Federation and for the first time, the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, hosted Maila Ta Fan Chesa as part of the island’s Sustainable September festivities.

Kyle Mandapat, UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s director for communications and community engagement, said the collaboration perfectly captured the spirit of Sustainable September. “It’s wonderful to be a part of a huge event like this, but most especially one that has history,” Mandapat said.

“This year we were able to come on board as sponsor and partner, mainly to help showcase the awesomeness of aquaculture fish,” he added. The teams featured tilapia grown in UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s aquaponics backyard system — a model of what local food security could look like, according to Mandapat.

UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s aquaculture team promotes recirculating aquaponics, a sustainable method that integrates fish, plants, and microorganisms in a balanced ecosystem.

Aside from UOG’s tilapia, this year, professional and student chefs transformed locally sourced ingredients — including mansanita, lemmai, donne pepper, coconuts and other tropical fruits and vegetables — into inventive dishes and even cocktails.

Chef Zion Manibusan, a senior from John F. Kennedy High School and culinary student at Guam Community College said his team created a dish using tilapia and chicken, paired with bananas, dinanche, and titiyas — a nod to both tradition and innovation.

Manibusan shared that while being a chef is challenging, it’s also deeply rewarding. He enjoys learning new skills and hopes to use his passion to support the island’s farmers — a value he grew up with, as his family’s restaurant sources ingredients from local flea markets and vendors.

“This is a really great competition using the local ingredients, it helps out our local farmers as well as everyone else. I get to get a lot of experience and learn from all the other chefs here,” Manibusan said.

At another station, Chef James Tamngug and the Tsubaki Tower team prepped dishes using cucumber. “This helps the local farmers,” Tamngug shared. “That’s why at Tsubaki, we are getting most of our local ingredients from the local farmers.”

According to Mandapat, the partnership for Maila Tan Fan Chesa highlights a growing movement across the island toward self-sufficiency, food security, and sustainable dining.

“We are here to tell people that this stuff is possible. We can grow our own food. We don’t need to import all the time. We can relieve some of the stress from our reefs by growing our own fish and using the nutrients to grow our own vegetables,” Mandapat said.

UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s partnership for Maila Tan Fan Chesa contributes to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Life Below Water (Goal 14), Life on Land (Goal 15), Zero Hunger (Goal 2), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8).

Focusing on an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability, the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) has launched an undergraduate internship program that expands opportunities for participants from non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.

Called the Research Education and Extension Fellowship (REEF) program, the first cohort was unveiled at an event at the UOG Robert F. Kennedy Library.

“This blend of students from different programs demonstrate that sustainable development is not the responsibility of one particular field,” said Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of UOG CIS & Sea Grant who pointed out that the new internship program promotes the different aspects of sustainability in everyday life. “It’s not just about the environment and about science majors. It’s completely interdisciplinary. Everybody has a part to play in helping to grow the sustainable future for our island.”

He added, “The REEF internship program gives you a foundation to build your career on, whether it be in science, or human resources, accounting, business, engineering — anything that you want to do — you’re going to get experience and mentorship to help you find a role through your careers in creating a sustainable future.”

The 2025 REEF cohort includes students from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and other islands in the region. The fellows represent a range of academic backgrounds, including psychology, engineering, and business administration, reflecting the program’s goal to integrate sustainability across all disciplines.

The 2025 REEF interns are:

Kaitylyn Punzalan (UOG)
Napu Blas (Dartmouth)
Faith David (UOG)
Tory Damien (UOG)
Zachary Keller (UOG)
Ian Gaza (GCC)
Alexa Taimanglo (UOG)
Janly Mohammed (UOG)
Janaja Edilyong-Reichhardt (UOG)
Oleander Kinere (UOG)
Sherri Kenty (UOG)
Lian Breechlyeen Carlos (UOG)
Janetta Danie (UOG)
Shawndee Rosario (UOG)
Zayon David (UOG)

Punzalan, a biology major from UOG, shared what she hopes to take away from the program. “To sort of have a clearer vision of how I want to contribute to my community overall because right now my goal is to come back to Saipan and contribute to my community, but I definitely want to find that further through this experience.”

Blas, who is studying at Dartmouth College, said he plans to major in environmental or any other engineering fields. “I’m really looking forward to learning just how to make stuff at the Makerspace and use a lot of the machines we have there to make products and prototype out of recycled materials and contribute to sustainability.”

Meanwhile, Gaza, a pre-engineering student taking classes at Guam Community College, said he wants to contribute to improving sustainability on Guam.

At the event, Sharleen Q. Santos-Bamba, Ph.D., senior vice president and provost of Academic and Student Affairs, said the program is an investment in the fellows. “Our goal is for you to take what you learn, share it with your families, share with your organizations, your classmates, whatever community you wish to be a part of and extend that and pay that forward. Because sustainability, coastal management, taking care of our environment, it takes more than just CIS and Sea Grant to do that.”

As part of the 20-week paid fellowship, students are matched with mentors working in the sustainability field to conduct either research or extension work addressing regional sustainability issues, including conservation and waste management.

The fellowship includes a monthly stipend, professional mentorship support, career development opportunities, and real industry work experience.