MINA awards Sheila Babauta, 4-H Club, Marianas Creations

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance awarded winners of their Green Awards at their annual Green Gala last Friday night at a lively and packed Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall.

In this 10th edition of the gala, the Environmental Champion Award was awarded to Sheila Babauta for her demonstration of extraordinary commitment to the environment and preservation of the CNMI’s natural resources.

The Environmental Heroes Award was awarded to the 4-H Marianas for their club whose students exemplify an eagerness to learn about and demonstrate a passion for conservation.

The Green Business of the Year award—awarded to a business that is committed to conservation by incorporating the green business culture through its entire organization—landed on the doorsteps of Marianas Creations, owned by Elina Gharti Chhetri.

Babauta, after the awards ceremony, expressed her gratitude for the recognition. “I’m shocked and so happy for this recognition from my community of fellow advocates and fellow environmentalists. We do important work and it can be so draining on the spirit and the mind—but to be recognized by my peers and my family, it’s such a wonderful feeling. I’m so grateful.”

As for the importance of being stewards for the environment, Babauta shared, “We are connected to our lands and our waters. We come from this place that we call home. This is the environment that shaped who I am. It’s shaped many of the leaders in our community. It shapes our children. That’s the reason why we really need to take care of our environment. When we take care of our environment, take care of our oceans and our lands, the environment will take care of us.”

Robert Suzuki Jr., who received the award on behalf of 4-H Marianas, said that the award is for the youth. “I’m grateful and thankful for the opportunity, but this is really for the youth of the CNMI because they’re the ones that are really working hard with MINA and organizations like MINA to help make changes in our community for sustainability in the environment and their future.”

4-H Marianas is a youth-led nonprofit group with councils in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota that focuses on helping the youth in developing life skills, entrepreneurial skills, and fiscal management skills. Suzuki said, “they do research projects, community events, and they are the spear headers, so I just help advise, but the youth are really the stars of the show.”

For Chhetri’s part, she said she did not expect that she would win the award, but felt happy that she did, “because it just feels like all the hard work has kind of come together and just helps me to do more after this.”

“I was just so excited and I’m really, really humbled to get a prize like this because it really means a lot for me—like a small business like us. And we do it because we believe in ocean conservation and taking care of the environment, not because somebody’s asking us to do it or anything. So, it’s truly from our heart. So, I’m happy to do it, but it feels so nice to actually receive something—a recognition from MINA,” said Chhetri.

Marianas Creations has been open for four years now and is located along Micro Beach Road beside Everest Kitchen. They feature drinks and food and support local artists by selling a wide variety of unique gifts made in the CNMI.

Roberta Guerrero, executive director of MINA was interviewed before the awards ceremony, and said that the Green Gala itself raises operational funds that really are not covered by our grants. As a nonprofit, we do depend on the support from the community, so we can continue on with our programs.”

She said that the outpouring of support for the event is really evident that the community is involved and cares for the environment. “They want to save it for the next generation,” said Guerrero.

MINA was established in 2005, but since that time, said Guerrero, “We’ve gradually progressed into increasing programs, coral restoration, tree planting, litter control, and litter prevention. Now, we’re doing a community recycling program, which we’re really, really excited about and we’re also highlighting at this event.”