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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Volunteers Step Up for 2010 International Coastal Cleanup!



CRM and DEQ are calling motivated groups to volunteer for the International Coastal Cleanup on 24-25 September, 2010.

Registered Groups and cleanup locations:

Big thanks out to the groups already registered, we're looking forward to the event!

Rotary Club of Saipan - Fishing Base
Shirley's Coffee Shop - Sugar Dock heading South
Fiesta Resort and Spa - Makaka Beach
MINA - Paupau Beach
Saipan International School - Coral Ocean Point
Friends of the Mariana Islands - South Laolao Beach
Saipan Mayor's Office - Wing Beach
CTSI Logistics - Susupe Park Beach
Hyatt Regency Saipan - Micro Beach
Pacific Marine Resources Institute - Quartermaster Road to 13 Fishermen
Saipan Swim Club - San Roque Beach


Beaches Still to be Adopted:

This is a lot of beaches folks - spread the word about the International Coastal Cleanup and let's have one group at each one! All people in government, we'd love to see a better showing of government agencies. Private organizations and clubs, this is great way to spend a couple hours giving back to the community that you're working in.

Forbidden Island Beach
Bird Island Beach
Obyan Beach
Ladder Beach
Tank Beach
Marine Beach
Dandan Pocket Beaches
North Laolao Beach (Dive Site)
Old Man by the Sea Beach
Jeffries Beach
Agingan Point to PIC
Micro Beach (Hyatt to Smiling Cove)
Coral Ocean Point
Lally 4
Sugar Dock heading north to Grand Hotel
Kilili Beach
Quartermaster south to MVA
13 Fishermen to Garapan Fishing Base
Garapan Fishing Base to Hafa Adai Hotel
Cow Town Beach

Last year volunteers diverted hundreds of bags of trash from Saipan's coastal areas. Let's make an even larger impact in 2010!

To sign-up for the event, please fill out the sign-up sheet and email it to rachel.zuercher@crm.gov.mp or fax it to 664-8315. For more information, contact Rachel Zuercher at 664-8305.

For more information about the cleanup or to request a registration form, please call 664-8305 or email rachel.zuercher@crm.gov.mp. Thanks!

Coming Next Week: Carnival of the Blue!

carnival of the blue 40In seven short days, the Saipan Blog will play host to the 40th rendition of Carnival of the Blue. Carnival of the Blue is a rotating monthly compilation of the world's "best of" ocean blogging, bringing together ocean bloggers and readers and (hopefully) using new media to build a virtual community of ocean lovers. The theme for Carnival of the Blue 40 is Top of the Food Chain.

Click HERE to submit your post for next week's carnival. While you wait (hopefully not with bated breath), dig through the Carnival of the Blue archives:

Carnival of the Blue 1 - Blogfish
Carnival of the Blue 2 - Blogfish
Carnival of the Blue 3 - Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, and Sunsets
Carnival of the Blue 4 - The Saipan Blog
Carnival of the Blue 5 - Shifting Baselines
Carnival of the Blue 6 - Cephalopodcast
Carnival of the Blue 7 - The Natural Patriot
Carnival of the Blue 8 - [ I'm a chordata, urochordata! ]
Carnival of the Blue 9 - The Other 95%
Carnival of the Blue 10 - Kate Wing's Blog
Carnival of the Blue 11 - Zooillogix
Carnival of the Blue 12 - The Island of Doubt
Carnival of the Blue 13 - Blogfish
Carnival of the Blue 14 - Deep Sea News
Carnival of the Blue 15 - Sea Notes
Carnival of the Blue 16 - The Saipan Blog
Carnival of the Blue 17 - 10,000 Birds
Carnival of the Blue 18 - Deep Sea News
Carnival of the Blue 19 - Water Notes
Carnival of the Blue 20 - The Biomes Blog
Carnival of the Blue 21 - The Oyster's Garter
Carnival of the Blue 22 - Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, and Sunsets
Carnival of the Blue 23 - Deep Sea News
Carnival of the Blue 24 - Sea Notes
Carnival of the Blue 25 - Blogfish
Carnival of the Blue 26 - Southern Fried Science
Carnival of the Blue 27 - Oh, For the Love of Science!
Carnival of the Blue 28 - The Saipan Blog
Carnival of the Blue 29 - Cephalopodcast
Carnival of the Blue 30 - Oh, for the Love of Science!
Carnival of the Blue 31 - Observations of a Nerd
Carnival of the Blue 32 - Sea Notes
Carnival of the Blue 33 - Deep Sea News
Carnival of the Blue 34 - Southern Fried Science
Carnival of the Blue 35 - Oh, for the Love of Science!
Carnival of the Blue 36 - The Thoughtful Animal
Carnival of the Blue 37 - Blogfish
Carnival of the Blue 38 - Water Words That Work
Carnival of the Blue 39 - Arthropoda

Coming next week: Carnival of the Blue 40!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Mayor's, lawmakers' offices work together to remove junk cars

See the article at the Saipan Tribune: Mayor's, lawmakers' offices work together to remove junk cars

Wow - this is really, really great news. After several years of running into challenges, it's great to see this program in operation. It is also a fantastic example of how if we work together, we can Beautify CNMI!

Kudos to those who are finding the power of networking resources!!! Keep up the great work everyone!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Dirt! to be shown in September

Coming up in September DEQ and the National Park Service have another great documentary they are showing, Dirt! the movie, that discusses our reliance on the Earth's soil and the damage we have wrought on it. The film will be shown at the American Memorial Park Visitor's center at 6:30pm on September 3rd (previous viewers note the new time!).

Official selection to the 2009 Sundance film festival, and winner of several awards (including Best Documentary at the Maui and "Visions/Voices" film festivals), Dirt! tells the story of Earth's most valuable and under appreciated resource, from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. The movie seeks to revolutionize the way we see dirt and raise awareness to the plight of one of our most important resources. Rather than simply bemoan the situation, Dirt! offers a myriad of actions that we can take as communities to promote the rebuilding of soil and the sustainable use of it, reminding us that "What we have destroyed, we can heal".


"An invogorating look at an invaluable substance we take for granted."

- LA Times


"...an uplifting story about people from all walks of life who are striving to renew our relationship with the ground beneath our feet"

- The Hollywood Reporter


You can see the trailer and find more information about the film here.

Please join us for this wonderful film on September 3rd. As always it's Free!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Our Northern Islands

our northern islandsThe release date for Our Northern Islands, Dennis Chan's book about the first expedition to the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, is September 14, 2010. Advance copies will be made available at a discounted price to fans of Our Northern Islands' Facebook page.

Our Northern Islands | Promote Your Page Too

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup

Join the entire Commonwealth for
the 25th Annual International Coastal Cleanup

Together, we can start a sea change.
,

Hafa Adai Friends and Colleagues,

We are all connected to the ocean. And we're all responsible for the trash we leave behind, whether we mean to or not. Please join us, and the global movement that is giving back to the ocean, by spending just one day cleaning up trash from our world's waterways and ocean. It's one of the easiest things we can do to help protect the ocean

We invite you to join us on Friday, September 24 or Saturday, September 25, for the 25th annual International Coastal Cleanup.

To sign-up for the event, kindly complete the attached sign-up sheet and fax it to Rachel Zuercher, Coastal Resources Management, at 664-8315. For more information, call 664-8305 or email - rachel.zuercher@crm.gov.mp

DEQ will retrieve and properly dispose of the trash and recycling collected from the cleanup on Saipan. We will coordinate with your organization/group to determine a pick up point.

Thank you for your kind consideration of this important CNMI-wide event.

Regards,

The Coastal Cleanup Planning Team

***To register, please CLICK HERE to download the sign-up sheet (second page) and submit it to Rachel via email or fax. Instructions included on form. Thank you.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Beautify CNMI's Monthly Mtg for August Cancelled

Sorry for the late notice, but this month's Beautify CNMI! monthly meeting which was scheduled for today (August 12) has been postponed. We will resume our regular monthly meetings after our summer break next month.

I'd appreciate your spreading the word.

Thank you for your understanding.


---Cinta M. Kaipat
Volunteer PR Coordinator
www.beautifycnmi.org

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

2010 Coral Reef Task Force Contest Information


STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST


Essay topic: What traditions do your family or community teach that help protect the ocean, reefs and other ocean animals?

Many communities in Micronesia do things every day to protect the ocean, the coral reef and sea animals. Some traditions have developed over thousands of years. Others have only recently been developed with the help of technology or new information. These traditions and practices are very important to preserving the culture of Micronesia and the many natural resources of the area. Without traditions that protect the fish, land and ocean we will be left with nothing. The increasing pressure on natural resources including pollution, destructive and overfishing techniques and increased population only increases the need to recognize these traditions as an important part of our culture and preserving ocean resources.

Prizes -

· 1st Prize: $200

· 2nd Prize: $100

· 3rd Price: $75

Entry Deadline: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Rules: The contest is open to any 9th-12th grade student enrolled in a school in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau or the Marshall Islands. A student is defined as someone who currently attending school during the 2010/2011 school year.

Entry must include a typed essay of 1,000-1,500 words, and a cover sheet including the student’s name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and date of birth. High school students include school and grade. Entries must be in English but may also be submitted in the student’s native language.

Entries that use information academic sources must cite their sources. Any academically acceptable referencing style may be used.

Entries must be submitted online at www.guamenvironmentaleducation.com or by mail. Mail to:

Guam Coastal Management Program
3rd floor, GCIC Building
Hagatna, GU 96932

Entries may only be submitted once and there can only be one entry per student. More than one entry from a student will not be accepted.

Failure to follow these rules may lead to disqualification from the contest. Entries will be judged on originality, expression of ideas, presentation, and understanding of traditional practices and culture. All entries become of the property of the Guam Coastal Management Program . In addition to receiving cash prizes, winners may have their essays published additional material.

The deadline is 5pm (Chamorro Standard Time) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010.



STUDENT AND PUBLIC PHOTO CONTEST

Photo topic: What traditions do your family or community teach that help protect the ocean, reefs and other ocean animals?

Photos should display some aspect of how many communities in Micronesia do things every day to protect the ocean, the coral reef and sea animals. Some traditions have developed over thousands of years. Others have only recently been developed with the help of technology or new information. These traditions and practices are very important to preserving the culture of Micronesia and the many natural resources of the area. Without traditions that protect the fish, land and ocean we will be left with nothing. The increasing pressure on natural resources including pollution, destructive and overfishing techniques and increased population only increases the need to recognize these traditions as an important part of our culture and preserving ocean resources.

Prizes –

STUDENT PRIZES GENERAL PUBLIC PRIZES

1st Prize: $200 1st Prize: $200

2nd Prize: $100 2nd Prize: $100

3rd Price: $75 3rd Price: $75

Entry Deadline: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Entry Rules: The student contest is open to any 9th-12th grade student enrolled in a school in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau or the Marshall Islands. A student is defined as someone who currently attending school during the 2010/2011 school year.

The general public contest is open to any resident of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau or the Marshall Islands. A resident is defined as someone currently living in the mentioned areas.

Photo entry details: Each photograph is a single entry. A printed piece with several photographs must have a dot or some other mark indicating which specific single photograph is to be judged. If a single photograph isn't indicated, the entry will be disqualified.

Campaigns or series are limited to five photographs but will be judged as one photograph. If the entry has more than five photographs, indicate which five are to be judged. If this isn't indicated, the entry will be disqualified.

Photos must be submitted with cover sheet including a title, a brief description of the photo, the participants name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, and date of birth. High school students include school and grade. Entries must be in English but may also be submitted in the student’s native language.

Entries can be submitted in the following formats:

· Unmounted printed photographs. Please do not send any pieces of art you want returned. NO ENTRIES WILL BE RETURNED. No exceptions

· Digital files: RGB (not CMYK) JPG format with a maximum width of 1024 pixels and a maximum height of 768 pixels (72dpi).

Send entries, unmounted, in flat packages only, no mailing tubes (they frequently arrive damaged) to:

Guam Coastal Management Program
3rd floor, GCIC Building
Hagatna, GU 96932

Entries can be submitted online at www.guamenvironmentaleducation.com.

Entries may only be submitted once and there can only be one entry per student. More than one entry from a student will not be accepted. Failure to follow these rules may lead to disqualification from the contest. Entries will be judged on originality, expression of ideas, presentation, and understanding of traditional practices and culture.

All entries become of the property of the Guam Coastal Management Program . In addition to receiving cash prizes, winners may have their essays published additional material.

The deadline is 5pm (Chamorro Standard Time) on August 31, 2010


For more info, contact:

Lisa Huynh Eller
Federal Programs Coordinator
CNMI Division of Environmental Quality
Coral Reef Initiative/Nonpoint Source Pollution Branch
PO Box 501304
Saipan, MP 96950
Phone: (670) 664-8500
Fax: (670) 664-8540
lisaeller@deq.gov.mp

Contribute to Carnival of the Blue XL: Top of the Food Chain

carnival of the blue 40Next month the Saipan Blog will be the host of Carnival of the Blue 40, or as I prefer to call it, Carnival of the Blue XL. COTB XL promises to be the biggest, baddest COTB EVER. Why? Well, not only is COTB turning 40, but the theme of next month's carnival is going to be Top of the Food Chain.

COTB XL is going to be all about predators, baby.

Please use this online article submission form to submit your contribution to COTB XL. Please try to make your post about predation (¿cómo se dice de tiburón en Inglés?), but if the predation bug doesn't hit you this month, COTB XL will still publish your ocean blog. If you have any questions you can email me at angelovillagomez at gmail dot com.

By the way, this will be the fourth consecutive September the Saipan Blog has hosted Carnival of the Blue. The Saipan Blog has previously hosted Carnival of the Blue IV, Carnival of the Blue XVI and Carnival of the Blue XXVIII.

*A big thanks to underwater photographer and dive instructor Harry Blalock for letting me use his photo. If you ever find yourself on Saipan in need of a dive guide: http://www.axemurderertours.com/

Monday, August 09, 2010

Eco-Tourism - Good for the CNMI

A public lecture will be held at American Memorial Park amphitheater "Eco-Tourism: Good for the CNMI"


Wednesday, August 11, 6pm


Presented by: Stacey A. Tighe
Senior Regional Coordinator and Program Integrator
for U.S. support to the six countries of the Coral Triangle Initiative (Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands)

She holds degrees in marine policy, biology and geology. She will discuss costs and benefits of alternative options, and their compatibility, feasibility in the CNMI. The presentation is supported in part by MINA, the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

PDM Promoters, Inc. to Lead Cleanup of Garapan District on Aug 7

PDM Promoters, Inc. volunteers and some Kobler kids of the Saipan Awaodori Team will also hold their monthly clean-up at the Garapan district (Paseo de Marianas) this Saturday August 7, 2010. The cleanup usually starts at 8 a.m. or shortly thereafter.

Thank you PDM Promoters, Inc. and Saipan Awaodori Team for leading this effort.

This invitation was extended by Sonia G. Siwa,Volunteer,PDM Promoters, Inc.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Join DEQ's Cleanup Brigade This Saturday, Aug 7

For Immediate Release
Start Date: Monday August 2, 2010
End Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Contact: Jose M. Kaipat


(DEQ) – The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) cleanup brigade will be at it again, picking up trash at the Outer Smiling Cove Marina.

If you would like to volunteer your time to clean and beautify our island, please meet the DEQ representatives on Saturday August 7, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. at the parking lot at the entrance to the outer cove marina. Come join us and “Pick it Up!”

Volunteers will start cleaning for about 2 hours or when finished and then break for drinks and continue if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least ten (10) monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three (3) cleanups will receive a green brigade t-shirt.

This is a cleanup that should not be missed, so join DEQ’s cleanup brigade and “Pick It Up!” Let us work together for the health of our coral reefs and cleanliness of our beaches for everyone to enjoy.

The DEQ cleanup brigade began in 1996 and continues to maintain clean, healthy beaches.

For more information about volunteering, please contact the DEQ office at 664-8500.
###

SharkWater screening this week!

First Friday Films is here again, and this month the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the National Park Service (NPS) will be screening Sharkwater. As always the film will be free and open to the public, and will be shown at the American Memorial Park visitors center at 7:00pm this Friday (August 6th).

Sharkwater, the winner of 31 international awards (details here), is a film documenting the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations and the effect we are having on our ocean ecosystems by removing these top-level predators. Through this documentary, director Rob Stewart seeks to debunk wide-spread stereotypes and media depictions of sharks and to detail their roles as pillars in the evolution of the seas and corner stones to their continued health. The film addresses how "these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey, and how despite surviving the earth's history of mass extinctions, they could easily be wiped out within a few years due to human greed." (cited from Stewart here).

Following the film, local experts from DFW will be on hand to discuss the status of our regional shark populations and steps we can take to protect them.

“Compelling…part gorgeous, ethereal swim with the sharks…part message movie about the slaughter of the innocents.”
Bruce Kirkland,
Toronto Sun

"Sharkwater will change the way people view sharks and the ocean. It will open their eyes... and, hopefully, their hearts."
Cristopher Chin, Deeper Blue (see full review here)
Please join us for this event August 6th, at 7:00pm. Find the trailer and links to the movie's website below:


SHARKWATER

Promoting CNMI on Facebook

northern mariana islands facebook adBecome a fan of the Northern Mariana Islands on Facebook.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

First Friday Films to Present Sharkwater on August 6

Hello Beautify CNMI! Volunteers:

Don't miss the next First Friday Films this Friday, August 6. See invitation below from Aric Bickel of DEQ. ENJOY!

Media Partners, please promote this event. Thank you!

****

Subject: First Friday Films presents SharkWater on Aug. 6th

Hello All,

We are just over a week away from our August First Friday Films event where we will be screening the award winning film "SharkWater". The event will naturally be on the first Friday of the month (August 6th), at 7:00pm at the American Memorial Park Visitors center.

The winner of 31 international awards, Sharkwater is a film documenting the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations and the effect we are having on our ocean ecosystems by removing these important predators. Director Rob Stewart explores the culture of fear that has contributed to the mismanagement of these creatures as well as the multi-billion dollar industry that has led many shark species to the brink of extinction. Stewart's journey to explore the last safe havens left for sharks inadvertently pits him against black-market industry leaders and leads him on an adventure that threatens not only the life of many of these species but also his own.

Please join us for this wonderful documentary as well as a discussion about CNMI shark populations led by officials from the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) directly following the film. For more information about the film and to see the official trailer please visit http://www.sharkwater.com/.

For updates on First Friday Film events and more details including film review and trailers for our films please visit our website: http://firstfridayfilmssaipan.blogspot.com/.

We hope to see you next Friday!

Cheers,

Aric Bickel


www.beautifycnmi.org


---Cinta M. Kaipat
Volunteer PR Coordinator
www.beautifycnmi.org