Previous Story
CoCo formed to broaden environmental awareness
|
Posted on Nov 16 2004
There’s a new catchword and a mascot that symbolize interagency efforts to educate the public on various environmental concerns: CoCo.
CoCo, the name of the coconut crab mascot, also stands for the CNMI Organization for Conservation Outreach.
“Coconut crabs live on land, but when the females are ready to lay their eggs, they return to the sea. And that’s where the babies are born, in the sea. So you see, CoCo needs a clean environment both on the land and in the sea in order to survive, which is why we chose her for our mascot,” coral outreach specialist Qamar Schuyler said before a crowd of students and government officials at the Lower Base Refuse Transfer Station Monday.
Government agencies formed CoCo with a mission “to preserve, protect, and enhance environmental integrity by encouraging responsible stewardship of the CNMI’s natural resources.”
Participating agency representatives include those from the Coastal Resources Management Office, Division of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Public School System, Northern Marianas College, and the Public Works and Land and Natural Resources Departments.
“We are working together to improve our environment by carrying out outreach and education projects involving all areas of the environment from the summit to the sea, including litter and recycling, land habitat issues, coral reef degradation, nonpoint source pollution, and water quality,” said Schuyler, coral outreach specialist for the CRM, DEQ and DLNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“We aim to educate and involve the public because the success of our natural resource management programs depends on a supportive and informed community,” she said.
To involve the community in environmental protection efforts, CoCo also plans to conduct informal quarterly public meetings. CoCo slated the first meeting on Dec. 15, from 5pm to 8pm, at the Minacham Atdao Pavilion in San Jose.
“We’ll have food, great conversation, and a chance for you to tell CoCo what you want from her,” Schuyler said.
Last Monday, CoCo joined in the celebration of America Recycles Day 2004, telling students the benefits of recycling, such as extending the lifespan of the Marpi landfill.
