03.17.15: Meet CNMI's New Young Champion

CNMI is excited to announce their new Micronesia Challenge Young Champion, Carey Demapan. Carey is a college freshman at the Northern Marianas College studying Natural Resource Management. She will be working with us till the month of September, developing a work plan of her own focused on creating communications and outreach materials for the MC in CNMI – particularly targeting tourists and tour operators, as well as helping out at outreach events. In addition she is now writing our monthly Micronesia Challenge monthly updates! – Welcome aboard, Carey!

Over the month of February the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) participated in two major community outreach events targeted toward elementary students. Under the lead of their Education/Outreach, and Recycling Coordinator, with the help of our new Micronesia Challenge Young Champion Carey, we engaged a young audience on the importance of proper trash management (including recycling) and the negative effects of marine debris. At these events,BECQ staff managed a booth engaging students in educational games and activities. This included recycling games, an informative watershed model, and a guessing game where participants estimate the life cycle of marine debris.  Children were taught on how to be good stewards towards our environment and natural resources. All of these threats and solutions were discussed as broader ways for community members to engage in activities in their daily lives which can help to achieve the Micronesia Challenge. The first event was the Canary Walkathon on February 7, 2015, which took place on the grounds of San Vicente Elementary School. The event happened on the morning of February 7, 2015.  About 200-300 students accompanied by their friends and parents, participated in this fundraiser for the elementaryschool. The second event was the Whispering Palms School Eco Camp, on February 13. Students from grades 1st through 5th camped out on Managaha, CNMI’s most visited MPA. BECQ staff  had a station interacting with about 40 students over the course of the event.