The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA), a non-profit organization which receives capacity building support from the Coral Reef Conservation Partnership, is fostering the next generation of conservationists at the Tanapag Middle School on the island of Saipan, CNMI.

Tanapag is a close-knit fishing community within proximity to the Managaha Marine Conservation Area (MMCA), an area often referred to as the “jewel of CNMI”.  Prior to being made an MMCA, the area was historically fished by the Tanapag community, making their support of the MMCA key to its effectiveness.  In 2012, under support from MINA, sixth-grade students at Tanapag Middle School began hosting community events, such as beach clean-ups, to show pride and concern for the islands’ marine resources. To formalize their efforts, students formed the Micronesia Challenge Club, an after-school club which focuses on conservation of CMNI’s natural resources.

“The club gets the children outside, into the beaches, forests and jungles for hands-on science and conservation learning”, said Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, a former member of MINA who worked closely with the students. The club garnered attention when students donated $1,000 of their club funds to the CNMI Micronesia Challenge Endowment Fund. The fund provides sustainable funding for the management of protected areas  in CNMI. The students hoped their contribution would inspire further support for the endowment from the CNMI government and private sector.

Inspired by the Tanapag Middle School Club, another Micronesia Challenge Club was formed at Kagman High School, also on Saipan. The Kagman Club has held beach clean-ups and is fundraising for future club activities. Kodep said, “Now that the youth of the islands are involved, there’s much more conservation awareness throughout the entire community.”