Day 5: MICC commits to staying open

03/14/25 -  The 7th Mariana Islands Conservation Conference (MICC), organized by Tåno, Tåsi, yan Todu (TTT), closed on Friday, March 14, 2025, with a message and commitment to stay open and continue to expand spaces, conversations, and opportunities for everyone who calls the Marianas home.

During the past week, the conference has welcomed conservationists and scientists hailing from all over the Marianas, students, nonprofit organizations, government officials, and community members.

Ann Marie Gawel, PhD, one of the founding boarding members of TTT, says that accessibility is one of the event's top priorities.

"That's something we find very important and something we're really committed to as conference organizers," said Gawel. "And the reason why we started this conference is that we realized that there were a lot of people who were doing conservation work, biological research, and weren't always connecting with each other—especially across the islands. You had people connecting within Guam and the CNMI, but we wanted to facilitate that connection between the islands and to also make it publicly available."

As a testament to that commitment, the conference is free, hybrid, and recordings are made available publicly. 

Still, Gawel said that accessibility requires ongoing, open dialogue and that the organizers are welcome to explore more ways to improve community engagement to Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, queer and trans folks, and anyone else who would like to share space and learn more about conservation.

When asked about the importance of accessibility, Gawel said that this commitment is one that opens the world to more possibilities. 

"Because science is better with a diversity of minds working on it and for so long, we've excluded voices and that's limited the science," said Gawel. "We've seen so many examples. Now that there are more women scientists, for example, we know more about birdsong—things that aren't always thought of by people who have historically done science. We get those perspectives and it builds a richer base of knowledge. It helps us improve more people's lives and it makes that knowledge more accessible to more people and being able to ask more important questions, as well, that are important to everyone—not just people who have historically done science."

In addition, Gawel stressed that conservation is not limited to just the people who work within the field, but everyone.

"I think my message is you are important," said Gawel. "Conservation relies on everyone—not just people who would call themselves a conservationist. Not just people who are biologists. I think artists, businesspeople, lawyers, farmers, fishermen—we need all those people if we want to make positive conservation changes."

Padilla, who grew up on Guam and did not learn anything about local conservation until after high school, saw the conference as a great way to inform community members about the conservation issues affecting the place they call home.

"As we all know, climate change is a looming thing—the buildup on island, too. It's very important for us to know what's going on with the science side and what we can do as a community," said Padilla. "The program I've been brought on to coordinate is a volunteer program, so getting to know what research is being done can also get people to care about it by giving them the opportunity to help where they can, too."

When it comes to community engagement, Padilla said it is important that there are opportunities available to welcome and support people within these spaces.

"The only reason why I got involved with anything environmental or conservation-wise was from being a community member—a volunteer, myself," said Padilla. "I think it's super important because we all share this island and similar cultural values regardless if you're CHamoru or Filipino or you're from the other islands. I think it's important because of that connection we have because of being residents on Guam or wherever you live."

Conservation and Invasive Species in the Marianas

Dr. Aubrey Moore, a recently retired professor of entomology at the University of Guam, spent decades studying the diverse insect populations of the Marianas. Throughout his distinguished career, he became a key figure in the local environmental community, deeply committed to the delicate balance of the region’s ecosystems.

 His research primarily focused on the impact of invasive species, particularly the destructive coconut rhinoceros beetle, which has devastated coconut trees across the islands. His innovative pest management strategies, especially through biological control methods, earned him respect in both academic and local conservation communities.

At the Marianas Island Conservation Conference, Dr. Moore shared his extensive knowledge and passion for conservation with local and international participants. He appreciated the event's accessibility, which allowed experts and community members to connect without the constraints of high fees and making some parts online. For Dr. Moore, the conference was more than an opportunity to present research; it was a chance to build relationships with others dedicated to protecting the islands.

Describing the conference as “relaxed, informative, and valuable,” Dr. Moore emphasized its role in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. He highlighted the importance of such gatherings in raising awareness and strengthening conservation efforts in the Marianas. Reflecting on his conservation approach, he stated,

 "Remember, the forest is a community; everything is dependent on those trees out there. That is my take on it, and this is my conservation." 

Dr. Moore also emphasized the importance of getting involved in conservation efforts. He introduced an app called iNaturalist, where users can take photos of animals, ecosystems, fish, and more. The app allows a global community to help identify the organism, fostering collaboration across different regions.

Concepcion emphasized the importance of effective communication in conservation efforts, noting that presenting raw information without proper framing doesn’t work. He believes in building conversations that creatively engage people and make them see the value of natural resources.

He also posed a thought-provoking question, “Would you rather take water or power?” emphasizing the value of natural resources and encouraging people to reflect on their priorities.

Through networking and creative conversations, Concepcion hopes to inspire more community involvement and awareness about conserving natural resources.

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Story and videos by Amanda Dedicatoria & Eloise Lopez

Photos by Eliseo Silverio III 

Edited by Thomas Manglona II

View more photos from day five at our Marianas Press Facebook page.

This coverage is brought to you in partnership with Tåno, Tåsi, yan Todu as part of a workforce development program related to environmental journalism led by Marianas Press’s Thomas Manglona II.