University of Guam hosts successful ‘GROW in Malojloj’ tree planting event and preps for next

Crates of acacia trees and flags marking pre-dug holes await volunteers at the Ugum Tree Planting event.

Hannah Perez, Program Associate for Guam NSF EPSCoR GECCO, helps a volunteer sign in ahead of the Ugum Tree Planting event.

Community volunteer Josh Laurente was amongst those who participated in the GROW in Malojloj event. Nearly 1,600 trees were planted during the event in support of watershed restoration efforts that aim to reduce erosion and coral suffocation. The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant’s GROW initiative will be having another planting event on October 5, 2024 at 8am that is open to the public.

A volunteer packs soil around the base of a freshly planted acacia tree.

A member of the Guam Restoration of Watersheds team (GROW) carries a bundle of acacia trees.

Tristan Quintinilla, former member of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps, carries a crate of acacia trees to volunteers spread across the Ugum Tree Planting event.

Laura Layan, a member of the GROW team, carries a drill bit used to help dig holes for acacia trees to be planted.

Volunteers and members of UOG Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant pose for a group picture after planting over 1,500 acacia trees.

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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