Events, News, and Highlights

2022 coral Reef initiative art challenge

 

Youth Environmental Stewardship Program

Ridge to Reef Eco Camps

Runoff and sedimentation have been identified as major threats to coral reefs. The “Ridge to Reef” Eco Camp is an educational program that takes learners into the field and helps them understand the connection between land-based sources of pollution and coral reef health. During the 3-day Ridge to Reef experience, campers understand the connection between land-based sources of pollution and coral reef health. They learn about watersheds, wetlands, and marine protected areas and engage in hands-on activities and critical-thinking conversations with presenters. The eco camps are held on Tinian and Rota, with support from the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding.

TINIAN RIDGE TO REEF ECO CAMP

The 6th-grade students of Tinian Elementary School participated in a series of half day activities to learn more about watersheds and how our actions on land impact our oceans and reefs. Eco camp participants explored their watershed from ridge to reef by learning about coral reefs, agricultural best practices, native species, the detrimental impacts of marine debris, hiking and exploring in a limestone forest, Marine monitoring, and snorkeling at Jones Beach.

Rota ridge to reef eco caMP

The 6th-grade students of Sinapalo Elementary School participated in a series of half day activities to learn more about how our actions on the land impact our oceans and coral reefs. Eco campers enjoyed three days of themed educational activities, including coral reef and watershed, Marine Protected Areas, Native and Invasive species, Endangered plants, a field trip to the Mariana Crow Recovery Project facility and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Containment area, identifying native insects, and a Seabird colony watch at I’Chenchon Sanctuary.

2018 is International year of the reef

GOVERNOR Ralph D.L.G, Torres has signed a proclamation declaring 2018 as International Year of the Reef. Coral reefs support half a billion people and a quarter of all marine life, making them one of the Earth’s most valuable natural resources. But despite their value, they are profoundly threatened by local stressors such as pollution, unsustainable land use and development, and recreational misuse, as well as the impacts of global climate change and ocean acidification. The CNMI Coral Reef Initiative and the Division of Coastal Resources Management have team up to promote the economic, ecological and cultural importance of coral reefs by hosting a number of activities throughout the year.