July 2009
Re: Trails and Parks Committee Report
As the newly appointed head of the Trails and Parks committee, I will give a brief online report, as I will probably not be able to attend the meeting today due to work commitments.
First, I invite anyone with interest in the Parks and Trails of the CNMI to join me in this committee - and if you know of someone who maybe interested - let me know.
I have little knowledge of the history of this committee. Those of you who know of past and current efforts related to Parks and Trails, please share your knowledge with me - I would like to take advantage of any momentum that may exist from past efforts.
Beyond an initial goal of establishing a working committee, I have begun discussing with a few friends the idea of creating a network of inland parks and trails that will connect with our coastal parks.
Imagine hiking from Obyan Beach to the Bird Island Lagoon Beach using a trail map instead of a road map:
-------- Hmm - the trail forks here. According to the map - the Forbidden trail is a mile that way? Should I camp there tonight or at that Rainforrest Cloud Camp - supposed to be here - tucked somewhere in the valley between G-U-A-L-A R-A-I and Mt Tapochau. Should I take the trail that gives me the best view of the "
"Azure Western Lagoon, Mangaha, and Phillipine Sea" or the "Rugged Eastern Shoreline and Pacific Ocean", with access to snorkling in Crescentic Lau Lau bay, and Cliff Lines Vista's Overhanging the Ocean". I could even stop and play a round of golf at Lau Lau Bay Golf Resort- buty that would be cheating sort of - still - might be fun. What's that sound - a deer? Kind of loud - maybe a wild pig or boar? Whoa - Look at that bird - Is it a Marianas fruit dove? Where's my binocs. Good thing there's no snakes here. Centipedes do scare me though. I wonder if I can I live on coconuts and wild avocados for three days? Ouch. Why didn't I bring any mosquito repellant? Wow, what a brilliant sunset there through the trees. I'll just go over to that ridge so I can see it better. Spectacular! A green flash! My first! I don't believe it! Let me put that down in my diary right now. Now where's the trail? There's some orange plastic tape- Maybe that's the trail. What's this - a sign? "Droolbag was here- beware of orange tape and Circle Jerks" What's THAT mean? That was no help at all. Wow, it's really dark in this forest - I wonder what kind of trees these are. Darn flashlight. I knew I should have bought new batteries. I can't see a thing. Owww! That hurt. Is that blood? Do they have 911 here. I knew I should have brought my cellphone! -------
What fond memories a trail/park system could help create.
This network could connect to road and mountain bike trails and even be accessed by public transportation powered by renewable resouces. The trail to Obyan could begin at the airport - making it convenient for a tourist to enyoy the natural wonders of Saipan without ever - God Forbid - staying at one of our resort hotels. Well maybe it would be ok as a last RESORT.
Think there might be some local residents and Eco travelers who might utilize an interconnected system of parks and trails - and think about it not just on Saipan but on Tinian and Rota as well. And then there is always what is for me the unexplored frontier - the Northern Islands - beckoning.
Anyway, this is a tiny part of the day dream that I shared with Angelo and Laurie P a couple of weeks ago and resulted the next week in discovering, as I read the paper, that I was now Chairman of Parks and Trails Committee.
Anyone else who has similar day dreams - and wants to help make them a realtiy - lets go hiking/booney stomping together.
Respectfully submitted
Daniel
Showing posts with label Parks n Trails Committee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parks n Trails Committee. Show all posts
Friday, July 03, 2009
Parks & Trails July Report
This was submitted by Dan Lamar at the yesterday's monthly meeting:
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Beautify CNMI Selects New Committee Chairs
During their regular meeting on June 4, 2009, Beautify CNMI partners brainstormed on projects for 2009 and selected chairs to head four committees.
Joe Kaipat of Division of Environmental Quality and Kathy Yuknavage of Mariana Islands Nature Alliance are to co-chair the Solid Waste Committee, the goals of which are to increase the percentage of solid waste recyclables collected, reduce littering, and remove solid waste from local beaches, roads, and villages.
The Solid Waste Committee has plans to develop an adopt-a-spot program in conjunction with a marine debris removal and recycling campaign.
“In the next year we want to take the success we’ve had with keeping Wing Beach clean and spread it to at least seven other beaches,” explained Yuknavage. “We have plans to work with the community putting recycling and trash bins next to some of the most popular beaches on Saipan.”
Angelo Villagomez of the Rotary Club of Saipan, Ronnie Rogers of Historic Preservation Office, and Kathleen Hermann of Division of Environmental Quality will co-chair the Restoration Committee, which will focus on re-vegetation projects and maintaining historical sites.
The committee plans to continue work on the Laulau Revegetation Project started by the CNMI Watershed Group in 2005. They also want to start a volunteer corp who will maintain local historical areas.
Dr. Dan Lamar of FHP Saipan will chair the Parks & Trails Committee, which seeks to create a system of local, state, and national parks under a Commonwealth Parks System.
“A Commonwealth Parks System connected by a series of trails would be a great draw for tourists,” according to Lamar. “It would also attract professionals who look at quality of life issues when deciding where they want to practice their profession.”
Laurie Peterka of Practical Solutions and local student Tyler Yoshimoto were named as the co-chairs of a new Beautify CNMI Committee that will launch a campaign uniting youth, the community, artists, and businesses to combat graffiti.
“This is something that I’ve been working on with the ISK8 Society for quite some time and I’m really excited to make it a part of Beautify CNMI,” said Peterka.
All of the coalition partners agreed that youth education and development through coalition building and partnerships should be an integral part of Beautify CNMI.
“It is so important to work with the kids,” said Hopwood Junior High School teacher Kimberly Vaillancourt.
Beautify CNMI! is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the CNMI's natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors. The coalition was a recipient of a 2007 EPA Environmental Award and received a Certificate of Commendation from the United States Congress in 2009. For more information visit them online at http://www.beautifycnmi.org.
Joe Kaipat of Division of Environmental Quality and Kathy Yuknavage of Mariana Islands Nature Alliance are to co-chair the Solid Waste Committee, the goals of which are to increase the percentage of solid waste recyclables collected, reduce littering, and remove solid waste from local beaches, roads, and villages.
The Solid Waste Committee has plans to develop an adopt-a-spot program in conjunction with a marine debris removal and recycling campaign.
“In the next year we want to take the success we’ve had with keeping Wing Beach clean and spread it to at least seven other beaches,” explained Yuknavage. “We have plans to work with the community putting recycling and trash bins next to some of the most popular beaches on Saipan.”
Angelo Villagomez of the Rotary Club of Saipan, Ronnie Rogers of Historic Preservation Office, and Kathleen Hermann of Division of Environmental Quality will co-chair the Restoration Committee, which will focus on re-vegetation projects and maintaining historical sites.
The committee plans to continue work on the Laulau Revegetation Project started by the CNMI Watershed Group in 2005. They also want to start a volunteer corp who will maintain local historical areas.
Dr. Dan Lamar of FHP Saipan will chair the Parks & Trails Committee, which seeks to create a system of local, state, and national parks under a Commonwealth Parks System.
“A Commonwealth Parks System connected by a series of trails would be a great draw for tourists,” according to Lamar. “It would also attract professionals who look at quality of life issues when deciding where they want to practice their profession.”
Laurie Peterka of Practical Solutions and local student Tyler Yoshimoto were named as the co-chairs of a new Beautify CNMI Committee that will launch a campaign uniting youth, the community, artists, and businesses to combat graffiti.
“This is something that I’ve been working on with the ISK8 Society for quite some time and I’m really excited to make it a part of Beautify CNMI,” said Peterka.
All of the coalition partners agreed that youth education and development through coalition building and partnerships should be an integral part of Beautify CNMI.
“It is so important to work with the kids,” said Hopwood Junior High School teacher Kimberly Vaillancourt.
Beautify CNMI! is a coalition of concerned citizens, private groups, and government entities united to enhance the CNMI's natural beauty and foster community pride in its residents and visitors. The coalition was a recipient of a 2007 EPA Environmental Award and received a Certificate of Commendation from the United States Congress in 2009. For more information visit them online at http://www.beautifycnmi.org.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Join National Trails Day!
Wednesday March 19, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residents encouraged to join National Trails Day
By Raquel C. Bagnol
Variety News Staff
BEAUTIFY CNMI!’s parks and trails committee is planning to join National Trails Day, an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society on June 7.
Kenneth E. Kramer, Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council coordinator and chairman of the committee, yesterday said joining the event is one way to put Saipan on the global map.
“Just for joining, we can get free advertising on their Web site, and people all over the world will know where Saipan is when they visit the American Hiking Society Web site,” Kramer said.
He said in addition to the free advertising on the Web site, they can also avail of banners and posters.
“It would be very nice to have each island come up with its own trail and people can go out to hike on different trails during that day,” Kramer said.
He added that this will be the first time for the CNMI to join National Trails Day.
He said in the past, they have worked closely with the Boys Scout in their hiking activities.
Information from the Beautify CNMI! Web site disclosed that this year, its parks and trails committee will continue to push for the creation of a commonwealth parks system.
The goal is to create a system of hiking trails that links the different parks and conservation areas on Saipan and will stretch from Suicide Cliff to Susupe Lake.
Kramer said the first day of June is designated as National Trails Day in the United States.
This is an event which draws millions of hikers and bikers go out to the different trails in the United States.
It is organized nationwide by the American Hiking Society, a national nonprofit trail advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. Currently, it has more than 3,000 events organized in each locality.
Kramer is also inviting community members to join Beautify CNMI!’s ongoing campaigns.
The group, he said, is involved in all kinds of activities to keep the islands clean and attractive — picking up trash from the roadsides and beaches and planting trees.
Beautify CNMI! works closely the Coral Reef Management Office, the Public School System, the Department of Public Works, the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Isa CNMI, Marianas Dive, and Pet Assistance and Welfare Services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residents encouraged to join National Trails Day
By Raquel C. Bagnol
Variety News Staff
BEAUTIFY CNMI!’s parks and trails committee is planning to join National Trails Day, an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society on June 7.
Kenneth E. Kramer, Marianas Resource Conservation and Development Council coordinator and chairman of the committee, yesterday said joining the event is one way to put Saipan on the global map.
“Just for joining, we can get free advertising on their Web site, and people all over the world will know where Saipan is when they visit the American Hiking Society Web site,” Kramer said.
He said in addition to the free advertising on the Web site, they can also avail of banners and posters.
“It would be very nice to have each island come up with its own trail and people can go out to hike on different trails during that day,” Kramer said.
He added that this will be the first time for the CNMI to join National Trails Day.
He said in the past, they have worked closely with the Boys Scout in their hiking activities.
Information from the Beautify CNMI! Web site disclosed that this year, its parks and trails committee will continue to push for the creation of a commonwealth parks system.
The goal is to create a system of hiking trails that links the different parks and conservation areas on Saipan and will stretch from Suicide Cliff to Susupe Lake.
Kramer said the first day of June is designated as National Trails Day in the United States.
This is an event which draws millions of hikers and bikers go out to the different trails in the United States.
It is organized nationwide by the American Hiking Society, a national nonprofit trail advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. Currently, it has more than 3,000 events organized in each locality.
Kramer is also inviting community members to join Beautify CNMI!’s ongoing campaigns.
The group, he said, is involved in all kinds of activities to keep the islands clean and attractive — picking up trash from the roadsides and beaches and planting trees.
Beautify CNMI! works closely the Coral Reef Management Office, the Public School System, the Department of Public Works, the Marianas Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Isa CNMI, Marianas Dive, and Pet Assistance and Welfare Services
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Boy Scouts Troop 910 from Tanapag Beautified Banaderu Trail
Below is a slide show and a personal narrative from Ken Kramer (RC&D), Chair of Beautify CNMI's Parks & Trails Committee--with additional contribution from Tom Gipson (Safety 1st)-- regarding the awesome job the Boy Scouts Troop 910 from Tanapag did to clear the Banaderu Trail. Tom, Ken and Oscar Camacho led the Scouts.
Hi Cinta,
I met up with the Boy Scouts, led by Tom Gipson and Oscar Camacho on Friday night. I brought my two dogs: Playdough (known as Sunshine by Oscar) and Lucky (the black dog). We watched the stars and then went to sleep at around 9 PM in anticipation of a hard day of work the next day. Other than the stick poking me through the bottom of the tent, I slept fairly well.
The next day, we set out to work on the trail after a breakfast of cereal and milk. Tom rallied the boys, gave them a safety talk, and we made plans for the day. Around 7:45 AM, we headed towards the trail, loaded with picks, machetes (carried by the adults), shovels, a saw, and the two dogs.
After an hour or so, just as we were getting warmed up, clearing brush alongside the trail, moving dead logs out of the way, it started pouring buckets of rain onto us. It was a bit unsettling. We were a bit discouraged and several of us had thoughts of taking a break and going back to dryness at the camp. Lucky was so miserable from the rain that she drew everyone’s attention by moaning, belly up, in a forlorn look that we all felt, but did not express. After Tom said: “We are going to stick it out and slog through this rain,” we renewed our efforts, working to stay warm. Eventually, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day, again.
We all broke for lunch and had a good rest. Tom thought we had made better progress than he thought we were going to do. I was happy to have dry socks and a dry shirt to change into. Oscar Camacho joined us on Saturday afternoon
This was not easy and was often dangerous work. Tom, our fearless leader, seemed to get most of the injuries. First, he got a splinter from one of the iron rebars holding the concrete slab steps. Then, he tried to catch a rock rolling down the hill and received a souvenir scratch on his shins where it hit him. I narrowly escaped falling by doing a back flip down the steepest part of the trail, when the log I was pulling gave way. Instead, I threw the log as hard as I could down the hill, which kept me from falling. It pays to study physics. Boonie bees also attacked some of us: I got stung twice.
On the return to camp, I was so physically exhausted I could barely put one foot in front of the other. We were all exhausted. According to Tom, Oscar went to sleep around 6 PM. I went on a critical supplies run and returned with water, ice cream, and chocolates.
Tom and the Boy Scouts, who were working on their *BSA Historic Trails Award, stayed another night and were scheduled to continue working on Sunday morning to finish the trail. (The BSA Historic Trails Award is given to scouts who camp two nights on a BSA recognized trail of historical significance, perform community service work on the trail, and learn about it's role in history.) I had other commitments on Sunday.
The Banaderu Trail is now far superior to what it was before. It is a fabulous trail with great scenery along the way. Thanks to the Boy Scouts, it is now ready for travel.
The members of the Boy Scouts Troop 910 were: Sam Park, Jay Britt, Jotham & Joshua Camacho, and Garrett Gipson. Well done, Boys! Thank you!
***************
YIKES! Looks like Ken and the Boy Scouts had quite an adventure! Happy there were no serious injuries. THANKS, fellas! We're all mighty proud of the excellent exhaustive work you've done. Reminds me of the Lau Lau Revegitation Project. FUN! :)
Rep. Cinta Kaipat
http://www.cnmiblog.com/
Hi Cinta,
I met up with the Boy Scouts, led by Tom Gipson and Oscar Camacho on Friday night. I brought my two dogs: Playdough (known as Sunshine by Oscar) and Lucky (the black dog). We watched the stars and then went to sleep at around 9 PM in anticipation of a hard day of work the next day. Other than the stick poking me through the bottom of the tent, I slept fairly well.
The next day, we set out to work on the trail after a breakfast of cereal and milk. Tom rallied the boys, gave them a safety talk, and we made plans for the day. Around 7:45 AM, we headed towards the trail, loaded with picks, machetes (carried by the adults), shovels, a saw, and the two dogs.
After an hour or so, just as we were getting warmed up, clearing brush alongside the trail, moving dead logs out of the way, it started pouring buckets of rain onto us. It was a bit unsettling. We were a bit discouraged and several of us had thoughts of taking a break and going back to dryness at the camp. Lucky was so miserable from the rain that she drew everyone’s attention by moaning, belly up, in a forlorn look that we all felt, but did not express. After Tom said: “We are going to stick it out and slog through this rain,” we renewed our efforts, working to stay warm. Eventually, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day, again.
We all broke for lunch and had a good rest. Tom thought we had made better progress than he thought we were going to do. I was happy to have dry socks and a dry shirt to change into. Oscar Camacho joined us on Saturday afternoon
This was not easy and was often dangerous work. Tom, our fearless leader, seemed to get most of the injuries. First, he got a splinter from one of the iron rebars holding the concrete slab steps. Then, he tried to catch a rock rolling down the hill and received a souvenir scratch on his shins where it hit him. I narrowly escaped falling by doing a back flip down the steepest part of the trail, when the log I was pulling gave way. Instead, I threw the log as hard as I could down the hill, which kept me from falling. It pays to study physics. Boonie bees also attacked some of us: I got stung twice.
On the return to camp, I was so physically exhausted I could barely put one foot in front of the other. We were all exhausted. According to Tom, Oscar went to sleep around 6 PM. I went on a critical supplies run and returned with water, ice cream, and chocolates.
Tom and the Boy Scouts, who were working on their *BSA Historic Trails Award, stayed another night and were scheduled to continue working on Sunday morning to finish the trail. (The BSA Historic Trails Award is given to scouts who camp two nights on a BSA recognized trail of historical significance, perform community service work on the trail, and learn about it's role in history.) I had other commitments on Sunday.
The Banaderu Trail is now far superior to what it was before. It is a fabulous trail with great scenery along the way. Thanks to the Boy Scouts, it is now ready for travel.
The members of the Boy Scouts Troop 910 were: Sam Park, Jay Britt, Jotham & Joshua Camacho, and Garrett Gipson. Well done, Boys! Thank you!
***************
YIKES! Looks like Ken and the Boy Scouts had quite an adventure! Happy there were no serious injuries. THANKS, fellas! We're all mighty proud of the excellent exhaustive work you've done. Reminds me of the Lau Lau Revegitation Project. FUN! :)
Rep. Cinta Kaipat
http://www.cnmiblog.com/
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