Inafa'maolek in Action

08/05/2025 - Have you ever seen the African Tulip tree? At first, it looks like a beautiful tree with orange-red flowers, but underneath it’s an aggressive invasive species. Known as Flores Guafi, the African Tulip tree threatens the Mariånas’s native ecosystems. Its toxic insecticidal properties are harmful to species like bees, and its rapid growth and wind-dispersed seeds allow it to outcompete our native plants. Though the tree is widespread across our islands, many, including myself, had no idea of the harm it causes. Learning about it made me realize how important it is to raise awareness about its impact within our communities.

That’s where organizations like Pacific Coastal Research and Planning (PCRP) come in. This summer, I had the chance to intern with PCRP and was introduced to various initiatives that aim to better understand and protect our environment, from watershed restoration and invasive species removal to coastal resilience and community outreach. As someone passionate about safeguarding our natural resources, this experience helped me see how action at the local level can lead to meaningful change.

One of the most impactful parts of this internship was learning the importance of effective communication in environmental work. Whether through social media, outreach materials, and community engagement, I’ve realized how important it is to present scientific information in an accessible and clear way. I’ve learned a lot from my mentor and PCRP’s Outreach Coordinator, Grace Choi, whose work brings together government agencies, nonprofits, and various groups to take collective action, whether it's planting native and fruiting trees or removing invasive ones like the African Tulip. 

This kind of local involvement reflects what researchers like Harris et al. (2017) emphasize: invasive species continue to threaten island ecosystems, and the efforts of our communities are key to protecting native species. For islands like ours where environmental changes are frequent and impactful, community engagement isn’t just valuable, it’s necessary.

This all came together during a tree planting event I helped coordinate with PCRP, DLNR Parks and Rec, and the Rotaract Club of Saipan at San Isidro Beach Park. Together, we planted native trees to help restore the area and encourage long-term management of our natural resources. More than that, the event reflected the spirit of inafa’maolek—working together for the good of the community and our environment. From planting a tree to educating others, every effort counts toward building a more resilient and sustainable future for the Mariånas.

Citation: 

Harris, U. S. (2017). Climate change communication in the Pacific Islands: The role of media and communication in climate change awareness and engagement. Pacific Journalism Review, 23(1), 225–239. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v23i1.17

By Intern: Brandee Hunter