NRCS Saipan marks USDA’s 150th anniversary

  The local field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture marked the agency’s 150th anniversary by removing unwanted grass around tree saplings at the Laolao Badlands yesterday.

Armed with knives and cutters, some 15 Earth Team volunteers-composed of NRCS staff, members of the Environmental and Natural Resources Organization or ENRO out of the Northern Marianas College, and Division of Environmental Quality representatives-braved the downpour and muddy terrain to remove grass growing around and overpowering the young trees in the area.

These trees were planted in a 14-acre deforested area in the hills above the bay as part of DEQ’s Laolao Bay Revegetation Project, a component of a three-year, ARRA-funded coastal habitat restoration project aimed at reducing sedimentation into the Laolao Bay marine environment as well as re-establishing in the area as a forest habitat with native plants.

The group met with Dr. Ryan Okano of DEQ by the entrance to the badlands for instructions before hiking to the area’s volunteer site. They worked for a few hours yesterday morning, then shared an island-style barbecue lunch afterwards to cap their productive, albeit rainy, day.

In an interview at the site, Okano noted that it is during the rainy season when competition between plants and unwanted grass is at its highest, thus the need to remove the weeds in order to increase the survival rate of the plants.

During the dry season, however, not much maintenance is needed. In fact, the grass somehow “protects” the plants from the harsh rays of the sun, he said.

Okano disclosed that they got the maintenance needs at the Laolao revegetation area covered from June to August as they expect several college students to take part in the Coral Reef Internship during the summer break.

According to Okano, the survival rate for the revegetation project is at 67 percent, exceeding their goal of 50 percent. “It’s a harsh environment up here because the soil does not have enough nutrients here, a lot of competition with other plants, it’s hot and dry.so we’re happy with the survival rate.”

Okano said the project is an “island effort” as many government agencies and volunteer groups have joined the project, including the ENRO members who are taking a course in natural resource management at NMC, as well as the NRCS, which decided to commemorate its anniversary by helping Laolao Bay.

NRCS is among the offices under USDA, which was established when President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation creating the agency on May 15, 1862.

“One hundred and fifty years later, USDA continues to realize that vision of service by applying sound public policy and science to an evolving food and agriculture system,” said President Barack Obama in his proclamation.

USDA secretary Tom Vilsack said the “significant milestone” is an opportunity to reflect on the agency’s impact for all Americans and commended all employees who have been “critical” to the nation’s prosperity.

To celebrate the occasion, USDA employees were encouraged to grow ‘Abraham Lincoln’ heirloom tomatoes in their own homes and at People’s Gardens around the world.

For the NRCS Saipan Field Office, they chose to conduct an activity that is closest to what the office stands for, according to new district conservationist Kendal B. Hicks.

“Our agency motto is ‘Helping People Help the Land.’ That’s what we feel like we were trying to do,” Hicks told Saipan Tribune, adding that the event also highlights NRCS’ partnerships with other agencies and groups that share the same goals and passion for protecting and conserving our natural resources.

Hicks noted that USDA, through NRCS, is involved with the Kagman watershed project, a collaborative venture with the CNMI government through the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Saipan and Northern Islands Soil & Water Conservation District. The watershed project involves the construction of waterways, sediment basins, a 70-million gallon reservoir, and an irrigation system.

“It kind of fits together and it all goes together with the treatment and care of our watershed so that ultimately, the water that leaves the land and goes out to the Laolao Bay is cleaner, fresher, safer water,” he added.

Hicks commended yesterday’s volunteers who exhibited a great deal of “faithfulness, devotion and eagerness” to aid efforts to protect Laolao Bay. “It’s phenomenal that they have that measure of commitment. Rain’s not going to stop them.”

Hicks, who officially replaced James Eller in March, emphasized NRCS’ “long-term commitment” to the island. He said NRCS will continue to provide assistance to private landowners on island as long as the partnership approach is maintained.

According to Hicks, the role of NRCS is to work with private landowners “to help them help their land” by developing conservation plans and providing financial assistance to implement conservation practices.

“Without the partnership with the people on the island, without their commitment to beautify and conserve their natural resources, we won’t be able to do our work,” he said.