The Beautify CNMI logo contest has been extended another week. Please pass this link along. The contest is open to all residents of the CNMI.
Click HERE for the Beautify CNMI logo contest rules
Friday, September 08, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Lao Lao Finished!
We finished the scope of work for 2006 for the Lao Lao Revegetation Project over the weekend. 35 volunteers and staff from various CNMI Watershed Group agencies planted 120 trees on the deforested hillsides.While this planting should have been the most difficult to date (because we were hiking to an area of the project that is down a steep hillside), it turned out to be our smoothest planting yet because we are all now experienced tree planters. Instead of forming a human chain to get the trees up the mountain (and then down the steep slope), we made the guys carry six trees each. Although it was slightly more difficult than passing a single tree along at a time, it ended up being much more efficient. We were able to get all of the trees up the mountain in one trip.
CNMI Forestry has already started growing the trees for next year's plantings. We will plant them during the onset of next year's rainy season. In the meantime, we won't have to hike up the mountain trail for another year...unless of course we want to bring more students up there for Outdoor Classrom Experiences.
And pictures from the final day of the project:
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Collection of junk cars restarted but...
Saipan Tribune, Tuesday, September 05, 2006
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
The Saipan Mayor's Office has finally resumed the collection of junk cars all over the island after the project was stalled in July due to lack of funding.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela said they restarted the project in August after awarding a new contract to MAEDA Pacific, in partnership with Basula Produkto.
The contract, however, is only limited to the pick up of some 300 junk cars as the Legislature only appropriated $30,000 for the project, which means only a fraction of the estimated 18,000 junk cars all over the island would be collected and disposed of.
The project was originally delayed following a bidder's failure to meet the final requirement, followed by the realization that quotations from bidders during the second bidding did not meet the actual budget.
Last year, the Legislature appropriated at least $30,000 to the Saipan Mayor's Office to help solve the problem. The money, according to the mayor, would also be used to fund the repair of its 12-year-old old boom truck.
The Saipan Mayor's Office first released its bid bulletin for the project in February but due to lack of necessary documents the awarding of the bid was forfeited.
There are now an estimated 18,000 junk cars scattered all over the island, according to the Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on junk goods. Most of them are on private lots, auto shops, and other places.
Through his staff Tony Benavente, Tudela said his office is closely working with the Division of Environmental Quality to resolve the junk car problem on Saipan.
Benavente earlier said his subcommittee in the Beautify CNMI group is also keen on eliminating environmental hazard and risk by reducing the number of junk cars, scrap metals, and household appliances on roadways and residential areas on Saipan. The subcommittee's concern has always been funding to buy the proper equipment.
Beautify CNMI is an environmental coalition of different government agencies and the private sector.
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter
The Saipan Mayor's Office has finally resumed the collection of junk cars all over the island after the project was stalled in July due to lack of funding.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela said they restarted the project in August after awarding a new contract to MAEDA Pacific, in partnership with Basula Produkto.
The contract, however, is only limited to the pick up of some 300 junk cars as the Legislature only appropriated $30,000 for the project, which means only a fraction of the estimated 18,000 junk cars all over the island would be collected and disposed of.
The project was originally delayed following a bidder's failure to meet the final requirement, followed by the realization that quotations from bidders during the second bidding did not meet the actual budget.
Last year, the Legislature appropriated at least $30,000 to the Saipan Mayor's Office to help solve the problem. The money, according to the mayor, would also be used to fund the repair of its 12-year-old old boom truck.
The Saipan Mayor's Office first released its bid bulletin for the project in February but due to lack of necessary documents the awarding of the bid was forfeited.
There are now an estimated 18,000 junk cars scattered all over the island, according to the Beautify CNMI's subcommittee on junk goods. Most of them are on private lots, auto shops, and other places.
Through his staff Tony Benavente, Tudela said his office is closely working with the Division of Environmental Quality to resolve the junk car problem on Saipan.
Benavente earlier said his subcommittee in the Beautify CNMI group is also keen on eliminating environmental hazard and risk by reducing the number of junk cars, scrap metals, and household appliances on roadways and residential areas on Saipan. The subcommittee's concern has always been funding to buy the proper equipment.
Beautify CNMI is an environmental coalition of different government agencies and the private sector.
Beautify CNMI has a busy month of August
Saipan Tribune, Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Over the last few weeks, Beatify CNMI members have been busy making the island a more beautiful place to visit and live.
On Aug. 13, Beautify CNMI members Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, MOVER, and CNMI Forestry planted 64 Daok trees along the road leading to the Grotto. When these trees are taller, they will provide a beautiful canopy for people driving, riding bikes, or running along the road.
On Saturday, Aug. 19, Beautify CNMI member MINA held their monthly beach cleanup at Wing Beach. The members, along with four new student members from Saipan Southern High School, picked up over 300 lbs of trash on the beach.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, volunteers from MOVER, Marianas RC&D, and Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office participated in a stream cleanup in Lao Lao Bay. People are using the streams draining the Lao Lao watershed as illegal dumping sites. When it rains heavily all of that garbage is washed out onto the reef flat, where it pollutes the water and has the potential to kill wildlife.
Volunteers pulled out 1,820 lbs of trash, including three washing machines, an old sofa, and a mattress.
On Aug. 19 and 27, Beautify CNMI members Marianas RC&D, MOVER, Board of Parole, Church of Latter Day Saints, Koblerville Elementary School and Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office cleaned up the area around the Koblerville substation. Volunteers used machetes and sickles to cut down the brush choking out the plumeria trees, then they cut the grass along the road using bush cutters. They also painted over all of the graffiti on the Koblerville Substation. The paint and paint supplies were donated by Kaipat and Marianas RC&D. The yard waste was picked up by the offices of Reps. Absalon Waki and Kaipat.
Beautify CNMI is always looking for volunteers to help with their island improvement efforts. This weekend Beautify CNMI will be working in Lao Lao Bay.
"On Saturday we are partnering with DEQ for a beach cleanup along Lao Lao Beach. Please contact DEQ at 664-8500 for details. On Sunday we are partnering with the CNMI Watershed group to plant native trees on the Lao Lao hillsides. We are meeting at the Santa Soledad Church at 8am. Contact Angelo Villagomez at Marianas RC&D at 483-1078 to volunteer," the group said in a statement.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of various agencies, private sector, non-profit organizations, private citizens, and visitors. Its mission is to foster community pride through a comprehensive beautification campaign aimed at enhancing the beauty of the island environments and the people's quality life through public education on recycling, restoration, waste management, and enforcement of laws.
Beautify CNMI has planted 1547 trees on Saipan since June. Beautify CNMI also collected thousands of pounds of recyclable bottles and cans at the Micronesian Games, Liberation Day Festival, and Garapan Street Market (PR)
Over the last few weeks, Beatify CNMI members have been busy making the island a more beautiful place to visit and live.
On Aug. 13, Beautify CNMI members Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, MOVER, and CNMI Forestry planted 64 Daok trees along the road leading to the Grotto. When these trees are taller, they will provide a beautiful canopy for people driving, riding bikes, or running along the road.
On Saturday, Aug. 19, Beautify CNMI member MINA held their monthly beach cleanup at Wing Beach. The members, along with four new student members from Saipan Southern High School, picked up over 300 lbs of trash on the beach.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, volunteers from MOVER, Marianas RC&D, and Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office participated in a stream cleanup in Lao Lao Bay. People are using the streams draining the Lao Lao watershed as illegal dumping sites. When it rains heavily all of that garbage is washed out onto the reef flat, where it pollutes the water and has the potential to kill wildlife.
Volunteers pulled out 1,820 lbs of trash, including three washing machines, an old sofa, and a mattress.
On Aug. 19 and 27, Beautify CNMI members Marianas RC&D, MOVER, Board of Parole, Church of Latter Day Saints, Koblerville Elementary School and Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office cleaned up the area around the Koblerville substation. Volunteers used machetes and sickles to cut down the brush choking out the plumeria trees, then they cut the grass along the road using bush cutters. They also painted over all of the graffiti on the Koblerville Substation. The paint and paint supplies were donated by Kaipat and Marianas RC&D. The yard waste was picked up by the offices of Reps. Absalon Waki and Kaipat.
Beautify CNMI is always looking for volunteers to help with their island improvement efforts. This weekend Beautify CNMI will be working in Lao Lao Bay.
"On Saturday we are partnering with DEQ for a beach cleanup along Lao Lao Beach. Please contact DEQ at 664-8500 for details. On Sunday we are partnering with the CNMI Watershed group to plant native trees on the Lao Lao hillsides. We are meeting at the Santa Soledad Church at 8am. Contact Angelo Villagomez at Marianas RC&D at 483-1078 to volunteer," the group said in a statement.
Beautify CNMI is a coalition of various agencies, private sector, non-profit organizations, private citizens, and visitors. Its mission is to foster community pride through a comprehensive beautification campaign aimed at enhancing the beauty of the island environments and the people's quality life through public education on recycling, restoration, waste management, and enforcement of laws.
Beautify CNMI has planted 1547 trees on Saipan since June. Beautify CNMI also collected thousands of pounds of recyclable bottles and cans at the Micronesian Games, Liberation Day Festival, and Garapan Street Market (PR)
Saturday, September 02, 2006
DEQ September Cleanup Brigade
This morning 57 volunteers participated in DEQ's monthly cleanup brigade. Although we picked up 1820 lbs of trash last week, we were still able to fill two trucks with beach debris and litter this week.
Beautify CNMI continues to draw a diverse cross section of Saipan's population to their events.
This event was hosted and planned by DEQ and volunteers from Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, Rep. Cinta Kaipat's Office, Saipan Church of Latter Day Saints, and Chacha Oceanview Junior High School's Junior National Honor Society were in attendance.
In the above photo Uncle Gus shows Junior how to work the trash picker up thing while a fisherman carrying a talaya looks for his family's lunch.
Beautify CNMI loves group photos. In the above group photo Lao Lao Bay and three fishermen are in the background.
One is never enough. Two group photos are always better than one.
Thank YOU, Lieutenant Governor
Saipan Tribune, Saturday, September 02, 2006
Villagomez applauds beautification efforts
Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is putting his hands together for community groups that have been lending a hand to beautifying the islands.
"I'd like to express my overall appreciation for the widespread support of the beautification groups that have been helping to make our islands more attractive," said Villagomez yesterday. "From beaches to roadsides to public buildings, you can see the results of their hard work."
Last Sunday, Aug. 27, the coalition Beautify CNMI completed the second week of cleanup in Koblerville, topped off with a fresh coast of paint for the Koblerville substation.
Beautify CNMI is a group of various agencies, private sector, non-profit organizations, private citizens, and visitors. Its mission is to foster community pride through a comprehensive beautification campaign aimed at enhancing the beauty of the island environments and the people's quality of life through public education on recycling, restoration, waste management, and enforcement of laws.
"It's about taking pride in our neighborhoods," said Villagomez about the upswing in beautification projects. "Every tourist and every resident deserves to enjoy a clean neighborhood and environment in our islands, and we are fortunate to have community groups setting the example in these areas."
Earlier this month Beautify CNMI organized approximately 30 restoration volunteers who hauled 1,820 lbs. of illegally dumped garbage from the streams of Laulau Bay. The haul included two washing machines, a couch, a mattress and other assorted trash.
"It's more than a little shocking, the kind of stuff that people deliberately dump in some of the most beautiful and remote spots on our island," said Environmental Specialist and Beautify CNMI member Tina Sablan of the Division of Environmental Quality. "But what a great demonstration of community involvement and care from our volunteers who responded to the call for help."
Groups participating in recent Beautify CNMI projects include MOVERS, Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, Representative Cinta Kaipat and staff members, students of Koberville Elementary and Saipan Southern High, and other volunteers. The Division of Environmental Quality and Department of Public Safety are also collaborating to step up enforcement of littering and illegal dumping laws. Violations should be reported immediately to the authorities. (PR)
Villagomez applauds beautification efforts
Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez is putting his hands together for community groups that have been lending a hand to beautifying the islands.
"I'd like to express my overall appreciation for the widespread support of the beautification groups that have been helping to make our islands more attractive," said Villagomez yesterday. "From beaches to roadsides to public buildings, you can see the results of their hard work."
Last Sunday, Aug. 27, the coalition Beautify CNMI completed the second week of cleanup in Koblerville, topped off with a fresh coast of paint for the Koblerville substation.
Beautify CNMI is a group of various agencies, private sector, non-profit organizations, private citizens, and visitors. Its mission is to foster community pride through a comprehensive beautification campaign aimed at enhancing the beauty of the island environments and the people's quality of life through public education on recycling, restoration, waste management, and enforcement of laws.
"It's about taking pride in our neighborhoods," said Villagomez about the upswing in beautification projects. "Every tourist and every resident deserves to enjoy a clean neighborhood and environment in our islands, and we are fortunate to have community groups setting the example in these areas."
Earlier this month Beautify CNMI organized approximately 30 restoration volunteers who hauled 1,820 lbs. of illegally dumped garbage from the streams of Laulau Bay. The haul included two washing machines, a couch, a mattress and other assorted trash.
"It's more than a little shocking, the kind of stuff that people deliberately dump in some of the most beautiful and remote spots on our island," said Environmental Specialist and Beautify CNMI member Tina Sablan of the Division of Environmental Quality. "But what a great demonstration of community involvement and care from our volunteers who responded to the call for help."
Groups participating in recent Beautify CNMI projects include MOVERS, Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, Representative Cinta Kaipat and staff members, students of Koberville Elementary and Saipan Southern High, and other volunteers. The Division of Environmental Quality and Department of Public Safety are also collaborating to step up enforcement of littering and illegal dumping laws. Violations should be reported immediately to the authorities. (PR)
Friday, September 01, 2006
Late Bloomers
Although Flame Tree season ended about a month ago, there are still a few trees out there putting out bright red flowers. There is a particularly stunning tree in bloom right in front of Saipan Grand Hotel. There is also one on the corner of Beach Road and Gualo Rai Road, which is where these pictures were taken.
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