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NMC environmental club cleans up Laulau
Students from the Northern Marianas College’s Environmental and Natural Resource Organization and other volunteers held a beach cleanup at Laulau on Veteran’s Day. (Contributed Photo)
The cleanup was organized by NMC’s Environmental Natural Resource Organization, which was just chartered for the school year this month, president Jolly Ann Cruz said. The time at Laulau marks their first official cleanup this year.
Tuesday’s cleanup spanned the beach under a hot sun. Larger volumes of trash were found closer into the jungle. Marine debris could be seen washed up also.
After bags were weighed and sorted, ENRO counted about 180 lbs of recyclables and about 87 lbs of trash for about 266 lbs collected that day.
Cruz said the cleanup was inspired by one impromptu beach cleanup at Bird Island last month when the group went for a hike after Typhoon Vongfong hit.
They saw enough trash over the area that could not be ignored, Cruz said.
“We felt like we had to give back,” she said.
Cruz said ENRO also helps the Division of Fish and Wildlife with its turtle-tagging program. Laulau is also a turtle nesting area.
This is one reason why Cruz believes the area is important.
“Laulau is of historic and economic value. It’s a tourist dive site too. It’s important it’s kept clean,” she said.
She said the activity is also a way to get their organization to bond, as many of the volunteers that day were first time members.
A member new to ENRO this year, April Indalecio, said she had fun.
“I picked up a lot of trash, and that’s what I came here for! I love the environment,” she said.
ENRO was assisted by the Micronesian Islands Nature Alliance with the cleanup, providing a truck and trailer to load the trash.
The trash would be brought to the Lower Base transfer station, Cruz said.
Interested volunteers can contact ENRO at enro@marianas.edu.com.
