MINA tree planting campaign heads to Sugar Dock

The Lions Club International District 204, Region 2 and other volunteers pose for a picture after last Sunday’s “Bring Back Our Trees” campaign at San Isidro Park. (Contributed Photo)

The Micronesian Islands Nature Alliance, or MINA, will be hosting its seventh tree planting campaign at the Sugar Dock this Saturday. The tree planting will be from 9am to 11am.

The “Bring Back Our Trees” campaign was set to begin in the fall of 2018. However, Super Typhoon Yutu devasted the CNMI and the campaign was put on hold. The project finally began last May 18, after being approved by the Office of Insular Affairs.

This campaign aims to support the growth and re-growth of native plants and trees. This event will also encourage climate change resiliency, help prevent sedimentation, and further degradation of the reefs. The tree saplings are provided by CNMI Forestry,

MINA’s goal is to plant 100 to 200 trees in two years, and will focus is on areas that lost the largest number of trees during Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018 and Typhoon Soudelor in 2015.

The final leg of the tree planting campaign will involve the offices of Precinct 2 Reps. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan) and Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan).

Water, gloves, and tools will be provided to campaign participants, but they are allowed to bring their own materials.

The most recent tree planting campaign happened last Sunday at San Isidro Beach Park, or Laly 4, which was participated in volunteers of the Lion Club International District 204, Region 2, Zone 1 group.

Other areas that MINA and its partners covered were Tanapag Beach Park, Beach Road, Laolao Bay, San Antonio Beach Park, and the Garapan Fishing Base

MINA credits its partners at the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources Parks and Recreation, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research and Extension Education Services, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for providing support, as well as the Saipan Mayor’s Office for providing watering assistance and the Ecology of Bird Loss Program for donating water tanks.

As of today, the total number of trees planted is at 302.

MINA is planning to plant 50 more trees this Saturday, boosting the total number of new tree seedlings on the ground to 352.

MINA hopes to expand this program and is already assessing other areas around Saipan that need more trees.

For more information, contact MINA at (670) 233-7333 (REEF), or email minaoutreach@gmail.com.

Lion’s Club volunteers plant new native tree during last Sunday’s “Bring Back Our Trees” campaign at San Isidro Beach Park. (Contributed Photo)