Guam Green Growth

G3CC x Yona Village Beautification

Matt Zapata — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:50:33 +0000

G3CC x Yona Village Beautification

Putting in the work to keep our island green and thriving! Big shoutout to the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps crew for rolling up their sleeves, digging deep, and planting new life along our coastlines. Every tree planted brings us one step closer to a sustainable future for Guam. Teamwork truly makes the green work!

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Mentorship Matters: Bastian Bentlage is helping shape Guam’s next generation of scientists

Kyle Mandapat — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:57:20 +0000

Mentorship Matters: Bastian Bentlage is helping shape Guam’s next generation of scientists

Every great scientist can trace their journey back to someone who believed in them.

For Bastian Bentlage Ph.D, providing that belief to students is a responsibility.

As a researcher at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory and principal investigator of the Guam NSF EPSCoR E-RISE grant, Bentlage has built a reputation for advancing marine science and biodiversity research.

That is not his only legacy. Another aspect of his performance and personality may have an even greater long-term impact on Guam: investing in young scientists and helping them discover their own potential.

In laboratories, on research vessels, and in the field, across the EPSCoR programs over the years, or through the SEAS Alliance fellowships, Bentlage has made mentorship a central part of his work. His approach reflects a simple but powerful philosophy: scientific discoveries are important, but developing people is what ensures those discoveries continue for generations.

“I mentor because I want to pass on the support and guidance that others have given me over the years, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” said Bentlage.

Building science, scientists and culture

Island communities face some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges—from coral reef conservation and biodiversity loss to climate resilience and sustainable resource management. Solving these complex issues will require more than today’s experts. It will require tomorrow’s leaders.

That is why mentorship is so essential.

“Bastian is an effective mentor because he recognizes his mentees as people first. He takes the time to build meaningful relationships with his mentees and offers constant support. While Bastian encourages his mentees, he also empowers them to surpass their goals,” said student Anela Duenas, who is also a Bentlage mentee. “Bastian leads by example and often participates in the field alongside his students. His ability to create a safe and open lab space is truly inspiring.”

Rather than simply assigning tasks, Bentlage encourages students to ask difficult questions, think critically, and become independent researchers. Students are treated as collaborators, not just assistants, gaining firsthand experience in designing research, collecting data, presenting findings, and communicating science to diverse audiences. He works to help with experiments, even when they go off course.

“Things went wrong with my experiment but he was able to problem solve and guide me throughout each issue. He is also able to meet people at their level and guide you in the most effective way possible that works best for you. I was able to understand the importance of my project and all the logistics of it easily when he would explain it,” explained Ale’a Duenas, another Bentlage mentee. “He also cared about our input as students and asked us what we thought about our own experiments and what our interests were. He created a lab environment where I felt welcomed and where I wasn’t afraid to ask questions and ask for guidance.”

The result is confidence.

Young researchers begin to see themselves not simply as students, but as contributors capable of making meaningful discoveries.

Setting up a foundation for growth

Mentorship is one of the highest-impact investments any scientist can make. A published paper advances knowledge. A well-mentored student advances an entire field. Each student who develops into a scientist has the potential to mentor dozens more throughout their career. That ripple effect extends far beyond a single laboratory, strengthening research institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, classrooms, and communities across Guam and the Pacific. According to Cheryl Sangueza, Ph.D.,co-principal investigator on the SEAS Islands Alliance Guam programs, who has worked with Bentlage on many mentorship programs, that mindset has led to developments with both mentees and fellow mentors with Bentlage. “Bastian efficiently creates a mentoring ecosystem for his mentees, to show that he understands people with different experiences and different levels of experience are just as valuable a mentor as he is,” said Sangueza. “I’ve personally seen the range of high school, undergraduate, grad, post docs and him serving as a blend of mentees and mentors in his lab.” Bentlage’s work demonstrates that the true measure of scientific leadership is not only what is discovered today, but who is prepared to make the discoveries of tomorrow. “Mentoring helps students build the confidence, judgment, and practical understanding they need to navigate their careers. And those are things that are often not really taught in the classroom,” said Bentlage. “This is really where mentoring and the relationship between students or trainees and their mentors, including me, comes in.” Where Bentlage’s career and research may take him next is unknown, but one things is for sure, he will not stop helping to develop students and leaders of tomorrow, wherever that may be.

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G3CC x Talo’fo’fo Village Beautification

Matt Zapata — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:52:38 +0000

G3CC x Talo’fo’fo Village Beautification

Brighter streets, stronger community!
The G3 Conservation Corps team took to Talo’fo’fo for a village beautification project, giving our island’s infrastructure a fresh coat of paint and some well-deserved TLC. Huge thanks to everyone working hard to keep Guam beautiful!

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UOG’s G3 graduates join green workforce as Conservation Corps marks first joint graduation

Louella Losinio — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:49:51 +0000

UOG’s G3 graduates join green workforce as Conservation Corps marks first joint graduation

Over 130 Guam residents have graduated from the Guam Green Growth (G3) Conservation Corps in hopes of pursuing green careers or continuing their education in sustainability-related fields, underscoring the program’s impact in developing Guam’s sustainability workforce.

The G3 Conservation Corps is a program of the University of Guam’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant that prepares participants for careers in the green economy through hands-on training, mentorship, and paid service opportunities.

The milestone was highlighted by UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D., during the joint graduation of the sixth G3 Conservation Corps cohort and the inaugural G3 Youth Conservation Corps—the first youth conservation corps of its kind on Guam.

The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of both cohorts while recognizing the continued expansion of Guam’s green workforce development efforts. The G3 Conservation Corps, now in its sixth season, provides participants with paid, hands-on experience in conservation, sustainability, and climate-related projects that support Guam’s natural resources while preparing them for careers in the green economy.

Members of the Conservation Corps work on projects that include watershed restoration, invasive species management, circular economy initiatives, food security, aquaculture, agriculture, and community education. The program stresses leadership, teamwork, and community engagement while equipping participants with practical, job-ready skills.

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, DBA, encouraged the joint graduates to apply the lessons they learned through the program into their careers and communities, reminding them of their responsibility as future environmental leaders. “You serve as the ethical conscience in every space you walk into. Be bold. Make sure that everything that you’ve learned is put into practice… continue to promote as conservation warrior ambassadors.”

During the ceremony, Shelton reflected on the program’s impact, “So now, over six years, in season six of this Conservation Corps, we have over 130 graduates from all of our different programs, and a great percentage of them are now in some type of green job or they went back to school to get further training in the green economy field,” Shelton said. He noted that the conservation corps workforce training helps position Guam to benefit from the rapidly expanding global green economy.

The graduation also added a new milestone with the completion of the inaugural G3 Youth Conservation Corps, the program launched by G3 and the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant in partnership with the Guam Department of Youth Affairs (DYA) and the Office of the Governor.

The youth corps introduced eight high school students participating in the Governor’s Summer Youth Employment Program to careers in sustainability, expanding G3’s workforce development efforts by creating an early pathway for Guam’s next generation of environmental leaders.

Graduates of the sixth G3 Conservation Corps were Abcde Tapia, Aubrey Kneppler, Richard Ragadio, Audrey Taylor, Boyka Mark, Robert Quintanilla, Isaiah Madlutk, Anthony Jack Meyers, Leah Tabunar, and Allen Kakas.

Taylor delivered remarks on behalf of the sixth G3 Conservation Corps cohort: “Beyond developing career skills, we deepened our understanding of Guam, strengthened our appreciation for our natural and cultural resources, and learned from one another in ways that will stay with us long after today.”

Members of the inaugural G3 Youth Conservation Corps included Julius Tabunar, Andrei Destor, Lily Bordallo, Alana Kahele, Maggie Guzman, Kmaryn Ruta, Liam Charfauros, and Dionne San Nicolas.

Ruta said, “This experience has allowed me to learn valuable skills, grow both personally and professionally, and contribute to meaningful projects…Being involved in the program has helped me develop a strong work ethic, build confidence, and gain a better understanding of teamwork and responsibility.”

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What is a green job?

Kyle Mandapat — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 05:27:09 +0000

What is a green job?

The graduates of the 2026 Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps piled into a room at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration on their final day, knowing only one thing: they were going to a Green Job Fair.

These corps members have been heavily involved with several partners throughout their tenure of this five-month workforce development program.

They came from different backgrounds, different cultures, and different educational foundations, but one thing they had in common was their resolve to make a difference for our island community.

Enter the Green Job.

The question on the minds of many people is simple. What is a green job? Is it a vegetable thing? Is it a cannabis related affair? Is it something you need special credentials for?

The simple answer: yes.

Industry leaders describe green jobs as a job or career that focuses on the natural processes and resources of a community.

They can be in conservation, preservation, or the circular economy. This includes work in the environment, jobs that help conserve or reduce waste of natural resources, or jobs that do not necessarily require much in terms of wasteful resources.

In the room, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) was on hand to discuss their jobs in the landscaping and environmental management sector of their mission.

“We believe our greatest investment is in our people. What stood out most today wasn’t just the training these individuals received—it was their genuine passion for Guam. That passion is the foundation of destination development,” said GVB Personnel Services Administrator Taryn Guzman.

“By investing in local talent and supporting the growing green economy, we’re creating meaningful career opportunities while building a more resilient, sustainable tourism industry that preserves the beauty of our island for the future.”

“Green jobs are great because they are positions and careers that we need not only to help make and support the lives of our families, but they also help the island and help the community take care of what we have,” said G3CC member Isaiah Madlutk.

Phillip Cruz, program leader of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, believes that green jobs and sustainability tie hand in hand in working toward a prosperous future for Guam.

“These green careers help to grow the people of our island and our communities, while making sure that we are also responsibly taking care of our natural resources,” said Cruz.

While different career paths rely on trends and the topic of the month, green jobs are rooted in the land and the culture of a place – two things that are only strengthened by participation and growth in this sector.

Are you ready to explore life in the green economy?

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Ambassador-maxxing (How I accidentally locked in to STEM engagement)

Jeremie Charfauros — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:40:49 +0000

Ambassador-maxxing (How I accidentally locked in to STEM engagement)

Building bridges through STEM! Participants from Navigating Home and partner organizations strengthen their science communication and community engagement skills during the STEMAP Design and Engage Workshop on July 23–24.

My name is Kira Reklai. As a Navigating Home Fellow, I had the unexpectedly fun experience of joining the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Ambassador Program (STEMAP). This program helps STEM professionals connect with the community through different engagement activities.

In STEMAP, each participant picks a focus group as the main audience for the activities we design during training. A big part of the program is learning how to understand the values and needs of the communities we serve.

All our training had been online, so the session during the last week of July was our first in-person meeting as a group. Corinne, the program facilitator from the University of Utah, led our two-day workshop.

For me, the best part was sharing ideas with other STEMAP participants and building my skills in community and relationship development. For my focus group, I chose cultural knowledge experts on Guam, including yo’amte and their apprentices. Because they are experts themselves, my project aims to honor their traditional and cultural knowledge. I hope to work with them to create educational materials that support their needs and values, as well as contribute to the efforts of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant Science Communication team.

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More than Science: Learning to connect with communities

Matt Zapata — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:03:52 +0000

More than Science: Learning to connect with communities

What is the value of communication and engagement between scientists and non-scientists working in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and the communities they serve?

A group of participants from the Navigating Home program and partner organizations explored that question during the STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP) Design and Engage Workshop held on July 23–24, organized by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant.

Through the support of the University of Utah, STEMAP Manager Corinne Ryan facilitated the two-day workshop, introducing participants to the process of designing engagement activities that build trust, encourage dialogue, and foster stronger connections between STEM professionals and the communities they serve. Participants explored techniques for developing engagement objectives, crafting compelling narratives, and creating projects tailored to the interests and values of specific audiences.

According to Ryan, successful science engagement goes beyond simply sharing information. Participants were encouraged to tell stories with clear settings, characters, and meaningful takeaways while designing activities that invite collaboration and mutual learning.

As part of the workshop, participants developed community engagement proposals addressing local issues. Taya Hawley, who participated with colleagues from the UOG’s Island Conservation Lab, said her team plans to build on a previous reforestation partnership with Astumbo Middle School by creating a two-day workshop that introduces students to native and invasive plant species, incorporates traditional ecological knowledge, and culminates in planting a tree on campus.

Meanwhile, Navigating Home Fellows Mercy Gilniy and Enqi Yang proposed an activity highlighting Guam’s marine life through guided beach experiences designed to inspire youth and older adults to appreciate the island’s coastal ecosystems.

“Our engagement project is really to showcase some of the beautiful Guam marine life, like different kinds of fish and crabs, and just to showcase their colors and how they swim. We want to tailor this towards younger people who don’t usually spend enough time outdoors going to the beach.”

Gilniy said one of the workshop’s biggest takeaways was learning how to communicate scientific concepts in language that is accessible to people without STEM backgrounds. “The people that we interact with the most are not experts in the things that we’re introducing…It’s really important that we learn how to communicate these types of terminology to them in a way that they can understand.”

Participants will continue refining their engagement proposals through one-on-one mentoring with STEMAP staff before implementing their community projects later this year.

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UOG’s Guam Green Growth, GTA partner to host Storm Smart Workshop on generator maintenance and emergency preparedness

Kyle Mandapat — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:38:21 +0000

UOG’s Guam Green Growth, GTA partner to host Storm Smart Workshop on generator maintenance and emergency preparedness

As Guam continues to strengthen its disaster preparedness efforts, Guam Green Growth (G3) and GTA are inviting the community to learn how to safely maintain generators and stay connected during emergencies through a Storm Smart Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The one-hour workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Chamoru Village Center Court and is designed to help residents prepare for typhoon season by learning proper generator maintenance, safe operation, and practical ways to maintain communications before, during, and after severe weather events.

“We have seen so much happen during storms and communication with your loved ones is so important,” said Chelsea Paulett, GTA Community Relations Specialist. “We are always looking for ways to help our community stay connected as best as possible, even in the aftermath of a storm and in this case, in preparation for any potential storms that could pose a threat to our island.”

Hosted through the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub in partnership with GTA, the workshop aims to provide hands-on knowledge that can help families become more resilient when power outages occur.

“This year’s storm season has already been very eventful,” said G3 Circular Economy Coordinator Abby Crain. “This workshop will help to provide the community with more education and preparation that can help protect their families and businesses.”

As an added incentive, everyone who attends will be automatically entered for a chance to win an EcoFlow River 2 Power Station.

The workshop is open to the public and is intended for homeowners, renters, business owners, and anyone interested in improving their emergency preparedness. Registration is available by donation and can be done by visiting the Workshop tab at guamgreengrowth.org/makerspace or Eventbrite.

Limited spots are still available for the workshop and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Guam Green Growth is facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant with partners including Guam NSF EPSCoR, who have helped to create Guam’s only public makerspace and innovation hub at the CHamoru Village.

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UOG CIS & Sea Grant opens recruitment for short-term G3 GROW Corps

Kyle Mandapat — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:49:01 +0000

UOG CIS & Sea Grant opens recruitment for short-term G3 GROW Corps

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has opened recruitment for a special short-term Guam Green Growth Guam Restoration of Watersheds Conservation Corps, offering community members an opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience in forestry, watershed restoration and other green-industry careers.

This term of the G3 GROW Corps is a full-time, 12-week workforce development program scheduled to run from August 10 through October 31, 2026. Selected corps members will work 40 hours per week and receive a stipend of up to $1,300 every two weeks.

Participants will work alongside the UOG CIS and Sea Grant Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) Initiative, learning practical skills such as seed collection, native plant propagation, nursery maintenance, site preparation, tree planting, firebreak maintenance and other watershed restoration practices. The program is designed to prepare participants for careers in Guam’s growing green economy while supporting efforts to protect the island’s forests, watersheds, and coastal ecosystems.

“This short-term cohort of the GROW Corps will provide a great opportunity for those looking to learn more and break into this field of work,” said UOG CIS and Sea Grant Program Leader Phillip Cruz. “Gaining these skills can help people move into conservation and restoration work within the emerging green economy and help jumpstart a career.”

The GROW initiative restores degraded watershed areas to reduce erosion and prevent sediment from flowing into rivers and coastal waters, where it can damage coral reefs. Previous corps members have supported restoration activities in the Ugum watershed, including raising and planting trees, maintaining restoration sites and assisting with community planting events. UOG’s watershed restoration partners have now planted more than 7,000 trees through these efforts.

The G3 GROW Corps recently received national recognition through the 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs showcase organized by Apolitical, the National Academy of Public Administration and Humans of Public Service. The program was selected in the climate, energy and disaster-response category for combining environmental restoration, climate resilience and workforce development.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically able to perform demanding outdoor work and prepared to work in heat, rain and other extreme conditions. Program activities may include lifting, hiking across uneven terrain, operating equipment, and completing labor-intensive restoration work.

The G3 initiative is facilitated by UOG in partnership with the Office of the Governor of Guam and members of the Guam Green Growth Working Group. Its workforce programs aim to give residents practical experience while helping the island advance its sustainability and economic-development goals.

Applications are now being accepted. For eligibility requirements and application information, visit GuamGreenGrowth.org or call 671-735-5631.

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G3CC x UOG Campus Clean Up

Matt Zapata — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:55:32 +0000

G3CC x UOG Campus Clean Up

Stronger than the storm. Fresh off Super Typhoon Bavi, the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps and Youth Corps hit the ground running at the UOG campus to assist with recovery efforts. From hauling fallen branches to caring for our local flora at the Center for Island Sustainability, these hardworking teams are paving the way to a swifter, greener recovery.

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