Here’s something you would want to participate in

I have always been interested in the study of environmental conservation, but it was not until recently that I was given the opportunity to really gain experience in that area both on and off the field. The environmental steward in me has always been apparent and my love for nature has made that possible. I have always dreamed of one day saving the world—I know, it was a pretty big dream. It was only later that I realized I could not do it alone. The CRI internship allowed me to help save the world in my own little way: by getting involved with a 350 climate change project and with the collaboration of DEQ, CRM, and the Marine Monitoring Team to educate me on a whole variety of topics and important information.

I applied for this internship when I saw an ad for it. I became immediately hooked. I was nervous, yet quite excited throughout the whole application process. I had to go through two interviews as well. I made it and now I am an education and outreach intern under Fran Castro from the Non-Point Source Pollution and Marine Monitoring Program at DEQ. I began the internship on June 7, 2011. Again, I have always been interested in environmental conservation work. I have recently graduated high school and completed the spring 2011 semester at Northern Marianas College. My goal is to get my associate degree under my major, Natural Resource Management. This internship will last up to Aug. 19 and I am making the best of it. As soon as I complete this internship it will be back to college for me.

We interns get involved with many other activities besides our original tasks and/or projects. The activities we have done or will partake in are: group discussions, reef flat surveys, and tree plantings. I also participated in laying out coordinates to plant trees and I will also be collecting water samples for analysis. The project that I am specifically working on is organizing a 350 event. The organization 350 is involved with getting people from all around the globe to participate in any type of event they choose, just as long as it plays a role in the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. They chose that name specifically because of what the number represents: the level of carbon dioxide in units of parts per million (ppm) that we would need to reach in order to decrease the heating of the Earth and ocean acidification. 350’s goal is to encourage people to take action to lessen carbon emissions. We are currently at “388 ppm” so we still have a long way to go until we reach that goal. It is my hope that the CNMI will take part in the mass bike ride event that my mentor and I are organizing for the 350 Global Day of Action. I chose this event because biking is a fun and sustainable way to lessen our contribution to carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

In addition, my project allows me to be flexible by participating in field work doing intern group projects and the like. However, I spend most of my time organizing and formulating my project plan in the office. I am usually on the computer typing or tweaking my project details. My project takes a lot of scrutiny and careful planning. Tools that I frequently use are my logic model chart, computer, and the phone. I am also given guidance and advice by my mentor Fran, and the Coral Reef Fellow, Aric Bickel. Organizing this event takes numerous phone calls to companies to help sponsor it and design work for the advertisements. When I am out and about, I try to tell people about my project and what its purpose is. I am developing a project plan that includes scheduling all the activities leading up to the day of the event, such as the development of advertisement materials, when to contact sponsors, etc. Overall, it is a very fulfilling job.

I would like to encourage more individuals to become involved in environmental conservation work because we all need to do our part for the environment. I want to see an increase in environmental stewardship not only among adults but also in the youth. This internship is an effective way to increase awareness about our environment. It has helped to enhance my knowledge so that in turn, I could be more involved and continue to bring the message to every home in the CNMI on the importance of our environment. The CRI internship provides the opportunity to really make a difference while giving back to the community. My advice to those interested: Take this opportunity; it is not one you would wish to pass up.