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. 

Guam was front and center at the United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua and Barbuda as Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering Committee co-chair and Lieutenant Governor of Guam Joshua Tenorio played a prominent role at the conference, facilitating a roundtable panel during the 3rd Leaders’ Summit of the Local2030 Islands Network that included Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Palau President Surrangel Whipps Jr., and numerous other heads of state. He also delivered keynote remarks at the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) strategic high-level reception.

“This really was an extraordinary opportunity to see the progress we have made, but also set plans and strategize with partners for the success we will achieve in the future,” explained Tenorio.

Tenorio spoke on the Micronesia Challenge and its success since its launch in 2006, highlighting the recent expansion of the program goals.

“Eighteen years ago, leaders from the Republic of Palau, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands launched the Micronesia Challenge,” added Tenorio. “In 2019, the Chief Executives re-committed and broadened the MC by committing to effectively manage 50% marine (to the edge of the EEZ) and 30% terrestrial resources. Furthermore, the initiative expanded its scope to include climate change, sustainable livelihoods, invasive species, habitat restoration enforcement and compliance, and fisheries management.”

Accompanied by G3 Steering Committee co-chair and the director for the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Austin Shelton, Ph.D., the Guam delegation was able to contribute to discussions and shore up collaborations that will be beneficial to our island the entire Micronesia region.

According to Shelton, the strong collaborative spirit fostered by Guam and Micronesia with partners such as the Local2030 Islands Network, GLISPA, and the Blue Planet Alliance helps to provide insight and continued growth as we work towards a more sustainable future.

“The Guam Green Growth Initiative plays a key role in supporting the Micronesian region to develop their own Green Growth strategies,” said Shelton. “Together with partners, we recently brought opportunities like the Palau Green Growth and CNMI Green Growth Initiatives into fruition. Meeting with those partners at the SIDS conference helps us develop more opportunities for the region and the world.”

Guam is a founding member of the Local2030 Islands Network and implements the 17 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals through Guam Green Growth, the largest public-private partnership in the history of Guam that works towards a sustainable future.

Guam’s participation in SIDS was sponsored by The Micronesia Conservation Trust, Micronesia Challenge, and Sea Grant.

The 80th Guam Liberation Parade is shaping up to be a celebration of not just freedom, but also environmental responsibility. The University of Guam’s Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps (G3CC) are teaming up for a recycling initiative during the festivities. 

G3CC members will be stationed along the parade route, collecting recyclables from the enthusiastic crowds. This effort tackles Guam’s ongoing challenge of managing waste generated during large events. 

To bolster aluminum can recycling, the Corps will distribute free can cages to all registered parade participants. 

“Our goal this Liberation Day is to significantly increase recycling and divert cans from landfills,” said Phillip Cruz, coordinator for the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps. “The G3CC team will collect cans throughout the parade and donate them to schools in partnership with IRecycle.” 

IRecycle is a program that allows schools to cash in on aluminum recycling, with the proceeds used to fund their needs and programs. 

Dr. Austin Shelton, director of UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, emphasizes the project’s impact extends beyond immediate environmental benefits. 

“Celebrating Guam’s 80th Liberation with the community is even more meaningful when we consider the long-term effects this outreach project will have on our children,” Shelton said. “We want everyone to learn about recycling and contribute to keeping our island clean and sustainable for generations to come.” 

This G3CC initiative highlights Guam’s growing environmental awareness and the importance of community involvement in building a sustainable future. Their efforts during the Liberation Parade are poised to serve as a positive example for residents and visitors alike. 

Cruz encourages all groups receiving can cages to take them home and continue recycling efforts. The G3CC team will be available to answer questions during permit issuance at the Department of Parks and Recreation office this Friday. 

The UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, and Guam Green Growth (G3) launched the G3 Conservation Corps (G3CC) program in partnership with UOG Global Learning and Engagement (GLE) in 2021. This workforce development program trains 12 members selected from different community sectors for five months full-time on various sustainability topics, including agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy, recycling, and renewable energy. Members of the G3CC can earn 10 continuing education units (CEU) from UOG GLE and receive a bi-weekly stipend for their participation in the program. 

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The Guam Green Growth Art Corps (G3AC) recently unveiled a new mural created by artist Ha’ani Bettis in Malesso. 

The event celebrated the successful completion of the piece centered on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life below Water.

The G3AC program provided local artists with the opportunity to learn about environmental sustainability and create art that inspires positive change via the messages of the SDGs created by the United Nations.

Bettis’s mural, reflects the themes of environmental stewardship and cultural identity that are central to the program. The mural will be on display in Malesso, next to the Merizo Supermarket, where it can be enjoyed by the community.

“We are thrilled to unveil Ha’ani Bettis’s mural and celebrate the achievements of the Guam Green Growth Art Corps,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, who’s education stabilization funds grant for education in the community funded the project. “This program has empowered artists to use their creativity to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote a more sustainable future for Guam.”

The G3 Art Corps continues its mission with the target to release a mural in every village to education the public on sustainability, conservation, preservation and more. 

Ha’ani Bettis is a talented young artist from Guam whose work is inspired by the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Bettis is a passionate advocate for environmental protection and uses her art to raise awareness about important environmental issues.

The next mural unveilings are scheduled to take place in Mongmong-Toto-Maite and Sinajana.  Follow G3 on social media for updates and a schedule.