Environmental Expo wows schoolchildren

Schoolchildren wandered around in awe and amazement during yesterday’s Environmental Expo, visiting the more than 50 booths that participants had set up at the Chamolinian Cultural Village in Garapan and falling all over themselves to participate in the interactive displays.

They were also amazed by a display of a real brown tree snake at the DFW Brown Tree section booth and had crash lessons on how to protect seawater and corals in the ocean.

Other students were amused on how waste in the CNMI is being processed by DPW, with the DPW’s booth explaining the process of how the department solves issues on waste management and how it ensures that the process is environmentally friendly.

The environmental expo, organized by the Division of Environmental Quality as part of the CNMI’s celebration of Environmental Awareness Week, attracted about 50 participants from both government and private sector.

From the government side, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Historic Preservation, the Arts Council, Department of Public Works, Emergency Management Office, and the DEQ held demonstrations and presentations to students about the importance of preserving, maintaining, and protecting the environment.

Some private sector groups such as Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting and the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service also participated in the event.

Event coordinator Fran Castro said that DEQ decided to hold an event with plenty of activities this year, resulting in the Environmental Expo. Based on feedback last year, students wanted DEQ to conduct activities that are more fun and interesting, with a lot of hands-on exhibits.

The event also featured “Passport to Your Environment,” a game where all schoolchildren received a passport when they arrive. Prizes awaited the students as they visit each booth with their passports getting stamped as proof of their visits. The students had to visit at least 20 booths and obtain 20 stamps for the prizes.

A mini game show was also staged called the “Expo-Nanza,” where the students were tested on their knowledge of environmental protection as discussed in the booths they had visited.

The booths will also be on display at the Garapan Street Market tonight. Environmental Recognition Awards will be given to individuals, businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations for their valuable contributions toward environmental protection. Students and schools who participated in the logo, haiku, essay writing and recycling contests will also be given awards on the same evening.