MINA’s Adopt-A-Bin Recycling Project Launched to Minimize Marine Debris

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) will be removing both real and perceived barriers to proper waste disposal at seven popular public sites this month by installing mixed waste and recycling bins at Garapan Fishing Basin, 13 Fisherman monument, Kilili Park, Sugar Dock, and Wing, Laolao, and Obyan beaches. This project, funded by NOAA’s Marine Debris Prevention Program, aims to diminish the amount of litter left on the shore that eventually washes into our ocean to become a floating “soup” of garbage.

Last year’s Coastal Clean up Day confirmed what had already been observed; by installing and paying for weekly trash hauling services three years running, MINA virtually ended the litter problem once miring the beauty of Wing Beach. Chair, Fran Castro said, “The next step is to see if we can also get people at the beach to separate plastic, glass and metal from their garbage before throwing it in a bin. Recycling is the key to lengthening the life of our landfill. The more we separate, the less we have to bury”, said Castro “and what better way to establish recycling than by placing bins in public places”.


Ericco Enterprises was contracted by MINA to build the recycling and mixed waste bins scheduled for installation Saturday, March 27th at Obyan Beach. Regular trash hauling services will begin immediately. MINA has secured funding to pay for the first few months of service for the seven sites, but is asking interested individuals, families, and businesses to be part of the solution to the pollution problem by contacting MINA to “Adopt-A-Bin” and pay for one year of trash hauling services. In return, Adopters will have their name or logo placed on their bin and be internationally recognized as one of Saipan's eco-friendly and community-oriented businesses in a documentary that will be shown at the US Coral Reef Task Force meeting next year in Washington, DC. Adoption fees are 100% tax deductible.

Already four bins have been adopted by: MINA, Brabu Pharmacy and Wellness Center, Ericco Enterprises, and Rotary Club of Saipan. Several other organizations have also expressed interest in the program.

If you would like to adopt a bin or would like more information please contact MINA’s project manager at kathy@minapacific.org or visit the MINA website at www.minapacific.org to learn more from their Goals and Projects page about how you can prevent marine debris.

First Tree Planting!

Yesterday morning I helped coordinate the first tree planting of the 2007 Rainy Season. Using coconuts gathered from my late father's house in Fina Sisu and volunteers from the District Boy Scout Camp going on this week, we planted 115 trees.

One of the most rewarding things about my life on Saipan is working with kids who want to learn. The boy scouts were totally attentive as I spoke to them about the importance of planting trees, ecology, and such.

It was a great event. I even got to participate in the flag raising ceremony:

Improving Beach Access

Improving Beach Access: Mariana Island Nature Alliance (MINA) and Coastal Resource Management Office(CRMO) are set to open a new concrete staircase at Obyan Beach tomorrow.

Funded with a grant from US Fish and Wildlife Services, MINA and CRMO are finished with the latest phase of a project to better manage and protect the Green Sea Turtle nesting site at Obyan Beach.

Several months ago vehicular access to the beach was blocked off and three Green Sea Turtle education signs were installed near the parking lot. Concrete stairs and an emergency access gate were recently installed to help improve beach access.

CRMO and MINA will turn over the keys to the gate at a ceremony tomorrow at 10 AM. Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management Office will be on hand to accept the keys.

To complete the project, native vegetation and shrubs will be planted around the beach access to help reduce beach erosion. CNMI Forestry is currently propagating the plants. They will be planted during the onset of the rainy season in June with the help of the local Boy Scout Troop and other Beautify CNMI volunteers.

CRMO has also earmarked funds for the construction of two additional staircases to further enhance beach access for divers and locals.

The grant from USFW Service will also pay for a coral reef teacher education camp in August. MINA will train local teachers how to include coral reef education in their curriculum to meet their standards.

NMDOA and JSTA Cleanup of Obyan Beach

At least 100 volunteers from Japan Saipan Travel Association, Northern Mariana Diving Operators Association, Marianas Visitors Authority, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, ISA CNMI, Hopwood Junior High School, and Saipan International School woke up early for a cleanup of Obyan Beach on Saturday.

There were so many people at the cleanup that we had to take two group photos (let's see you try to corral over 100 people into a single shot).

Phew, that's a lot of pictures! Here are a few more:

Speak 日本語? Visit ISA CNMI and Ecosaipan.com for more.