Farewell Young Champion!

It is the beginning of October, and now it's time to say goodbye to a fellow Micronesia Challenge intern.  I Kid Cabrera have worked along side Dave as partners throughout our internship.  It has been a great learning experience working with Dave in various outreach activities and events.  Having a partner to work with makes everything seem easier and more enjoyable.  From presenting at American Memorial Park about how to lessen our need for plastic bags to going to High schools and Dinner parties presenting our internship experiences, Dave has been a great partner and a cool one as you can see in the pic to your right.  I hope that the next batch of Champions will have partners to work with as well so that the internship experience can be a better one.  The internship Dave and I are a part of has bought us closer together as friends and one day we might work alongside each other once again to help bring the importance of our earth and its precious valuable resources to the community and the world!

 

Endangered Species of the Month (September)

Name: Marianas Common Moorhen

Chamorro Name: Pulattat

Scientific Name: Gallinula chloropus guami

Status: Endangered

Facts: The Marianas Common Moorhen may look like a duck, but unlike ducks, this bird does not have webbed feet. It has yellow feet, and a red shield that goes from its beak to between its eyes. They are primarily black in color, with a white line of feathers on its wings and can grow to be around 14 inches in length.

These birds can be found in freshwater and natural wetlands. Their nests can be found all throughout the year, with each nest carrying up to six eggs. It was once believed that the Moorhen was once a common bird to see around the islands, but with wetland loss and predators like the brown tree snake being introduced; its population has declined a lot over the past three decades.

Micronesia Challenge Live on KKMP radio

Had the opportunity to be on air at KKMP radio station last week. I got to talk about what the Micronesia Challenge is, my endangered species project, and share my experiences as a young champion. Overall a great experience, with lots of laughs and good vibes!

Lao Lao Bay Intern Planting Event

Last week, I was able to take part of a planting event up in Lao Lao Bay, along with interns from the different environmental agencies such as Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), Coastal Resource Management (CRM), and the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The purpose of the plants is to help prevent soil erosion and runoff of the different sediments that flow into Lao Lao bay, which end up killing our corals. Here are some pictures! It was an uphill hike on a hot day, but it was well worth the trip!

-David

                                                     

                                                      

ILLEGAL DUMPING

There are tons of garbage that end up in our landfills, but not all garbage meets the same fate.  A lot of trash find their way into our jungles, beaches, and parks.  Why can't people take it to the transfer station or the landfill?  What are our government and environmental agencies doing about it? Click title to find out!!!

Endangered Species of the Month (July)

Marianas Swiftlet

Name: Marianas Swiftlet

Chamorro Name: Chachaguak

Scientific Name: Aerodramus bartschi

Found on: The Marianas Swiftlet can’t be found anywhere else in the world, but here in the CNMI’s islands of Saipan and Aguiguan. They live only in limestone caves. They build their nests along the walls of the caves. The Swiftlet are sensitive to any disturbances, whether it is visits from cavers or tourists, or even other animals like rats or cocroaches. Any disturbance can break up their flock and may leave them stranded.

Status: Endangered

Facts: Swiftlets are small black to dark grey birds, with a slightly lighter colored chest area. They have long, narrow wings to help them fly quickly. They have a dark line through their eye, and a square shaped tail. Swiftlets use a special technique that helps them find their way out of limestone caves in the dark, which is where they nest. They make a very fast clicking sound that bounces off the walls in the caves which helps them maneuver around. This technique is called “echolocation”.

I and I Exposed!

 In the Red Room

Early one morning when I finally found the entrance to KKMP, I walked through the doors past the reggae themed walls only to find myself alone.  Where am I to go?  Which door do I open?  Then Mr. Joe limes more commonly known as Uncle Joe on the air, pops out of the studio and kindly invited me in.  So there I was in the famous "Red Room" greeted by Gary Sword and Rosemond Santos who usually does the morning shows.  I thought to myself, Wow!  This is the kind of studio I would love to have one day for future musical ventures.  I was told to grab a seat and slap on some headphones and that's when I realized, hundreds maybe even thousands of people could be listening right now!  I broke a sweat thinking about something clever to say, waiting anxiously for that introduction by Gary or Rosemond.  Luckily, it wasn't time yet, but at least I got a feel for the radio now.  We took a short break for introductions and we jumped right into it.  My heart was pounding, I could just feel the listeners, and before you know it we were off.  I went on about what is the Micronesia Challenge and the projects that I've been working on.  Out of the blue, Lisa Eller pops in; my internship supervisor/mentor.  Yes!  She is going to be on the air with me.  She put on headphones, and listened carefully to catch anything controversial I might blurt out.  Although she didn't speak on air, she gave me the support and confidence just being there.  Before I knew it, My face was dry, my heart was calm, and we were back again on I and I airwaves!!!  Click title to listen

Where does all our trash go in such a small island? Watch and find out!

Where does all our trash go, you may be wondering.  Journey to the end of the line where Saipan dumps its waste! 

Scarlet Gourd Podcast (Click to listen)

Concerned about your forests?  Check out this new podcast on the extremely invasive vine the "Scarlet Gourd" and how you can prevent it from spreading to your hometown!

Saipan Landfill Podcast!

Click title above to listen!

 

Endangered Species of the Month (May/June)

Name: Micronesia Megapode

Chamorro Name: Sasangat

Scientific Name: Megapodius laperouse

 Found on: Very small population on the southern islands of the CNMI, more abundant in the northern islands.

Status: Endangered

Facts: Slightly smaller than chickens and have long, yellow legs with black claws. They have yellow bills and red areas around their eyes that are exposed areas of skin where their feathers are sparse.

How long until they are endangered: Threats to these megapodes are habitat degradation by feral mammals, human consumption of their eggs, commercial and residential development, competition of introduced species and predation. Common predators include rats, pigs, dogs, and monitor lizards. It is illegal to hunt, kill, or possess this bird or its egg without a permit issued by DFW.

Endangered Species of the Month (April)

Name: Green Sea Turtle

Chamorro Name: Haggan

Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas

Status: Endangered

Facts: Green Sea turtles are the largest of all hard-shelled turtles. Babies are born to be about 2 inches long, while fully grown adults can grow to be about 3 feet long and weight around 350 pounds. What gives these turtles their name "Green", is because of their diet. Not like other sea turtles, the Green Sea turtles are herbivorous, feeding mainly on sea grasses and algae.

One of the biggest reason that these turtles have become endangered is because of commercial harvest for their eggs and meat. Another big reason for the decline in population is that these turtles may suffer from a disease called Fibropapillomatosis. This disease is characterized by the multiple tumors on the skin and in the internal organs. These tumors interfere with breathing, swimming, vision, and reproduction. Lastly, another reason for there decline in population is degradation.

Environmental Expo 2011

On April 12, 13, and 14, DEQ held its annual Environmental Expo over at The American Memorial Park. The Micronesia Challenge had its own booth which was set up and ran by myself (David), and Kid. It was a fun experience for both Kid and I, as we got to talk to 4^th and 5^th grade students from around the island on what the Micronesia Challenge is. We explained to them what the goals of the challenge were, and made them think as a group what some ways of conservation were. After that, we made them play a game that involved spinning a wheel. Every student wanted to spin the wheel, but only three per class was allowed to. We asked them questions on Marine and Land resources, as well “who am I” questions. In the end, they were all winners and got to pick some prizes.

We both were amazed of how bright and interested each student was. Here are some pictures of us in action at the Expo. Enjoy!

Endangered Species of the Month (February/March)

Name: Marianas Fruit Bat

Chamorro Name: Fanihi

Scientific Name: Pteropus mariannus

Found on: Only in the Marianas (Endemic)- Mostly on Rota

Status: Endangered

Facts: When fully grown, the Marianas Fruit bat weighs about 1 pound and can have a wingspan of up to 3 feet. they have dark brown or black wings are brown on the head with a gold/pale brown neck region. These bats live in colonies that consist of up to several hundred members. They enjoy eating fruits such as papaya, bread fruit, mango, pandanas, and flowering fruit trees.

Due to illegal hunting, the population of these bats has declined significantly. They are really sensitive to human disturbances and habitat destruction.

5th Graders learn about the Micronesia Challenge

5th graders from Saipan International School learn about the Micronesia Challenge and the importance of our islands Endangered Species.

Endangered Species of the Month (January)

Name: Marianas Crow

Chamorro Name: Aga

Scientific Name: Corvus kubaryi

Found in: CNMI (mostly Rota) and Guam

Status: Endangered


Facts: The Marianas Crow is a large Micronesian bird that stands around 15 inches tall when fully grown; however, it is smaller than the typical crow. This crow is mostly black with a slight greenish-black gloss on its head, back, and wings, and has a brown iris around the eye.  The female Marianas Crow are typically smaller than the males. These crows prefer native limestone and secondary forests as a place for breeding, but will also live on beach strand vegetation and coconut groves as they forage. The Marianas Crow is omnivorous and is known to feed on insects, lizards, bird eggs, fruits, and seeds.

According to a survey done by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an estimated number of 1,348 Marianas Crows were recorded on Rota in 1982, but has drastically dropped to 592 crows in 1995, making it a 56% decline. In 1999, an estimate of 110 breeding pairs was recorded, but recent estimates indicate only 60 breeding pairs.

Threats to the Marianas Crow include habitat loss and degradation. They are very sensitive in areas where a lot of native forests has had mammals introduced or been altered by humans.  The CNMI is currently conducting a multi-year study of these crows which is held on Rota since 1996. “The study is focused on determining the factors that affect breeding success and the dynamics of juvenile dispersal.” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).  Predators such as rats, cats, and monitor lizards reduce crow nesting success, therefore resulting in reduction of population.