Citizen Foresters of Guam

Citizen Foresters of Guam

Do you enjoy nature and want to learn more about the trees in your village?

In the Citizen Forester Program (CFP) through the Training Series or by assisting on Tree Inventory/Mapping Days, you can learn how to identify, measure, and evaluate trees in urban areas such as parks, streets, and yards—also known as the Urban Forest. You’ll build skills in teamwork and communication, data collection and science, and overall, expand your environmental awareness of our island and the many ways trees benefit us (not just cleaning our air or providing shade…) Work alongside professionals from the Forestry & Soil Resources Division at your Guam Department of Agriculture in partnership with 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Smart Trees Pacific, and make a positive impact in your village and across Guåhan!

Preparation Instruction:
DOAG-FSRD, Forestry, Guam, Service, Citizen Foresters ●Before anything, make sure a teacher/counselor agrees to award you Service Learning Hours for your involvement in this project. This is who your reflection will go to. 
  • Follow us on Facebook OR Instagram @doag.forestry to keep an eye out for announcements of Citizen Forester Training or Mapping Sessions you can join (see difference between these in Activity Instruction).
● Not on Social Media? No problem! View our calendar events here https://doag.guam.gov/forestry/citizenforesters/
● To become a CERTIFIED Citizen Forester you’ll be required to:
Attend ONE (1) In-Classroom Training Session [approx. 3 hours]
Attend TWO (2) In-Field Training Sessions [approx. 3 hours each]
Participate in a minimum of TWO (2) Tree Inventory/Mapping Days AFTER Training Sessions
Complete the online Tree Inventory Training Assessment
● STUDENT ORGANIZATION LEADERS or TEACHERS & ADVISORS interested in registering a CLUB or CLASS for the Program: As mentioned, CFP training mainly teaches inventory assessments of existing urban trees but can potentially expand to cover maintenance & plantings! Please propose and discuss ideas first to your principals. Once approved, call the DOAG-FSRD Office or email Ms. Elisa Rose Padilla directly with “SCHOOL NAME Citizen Foresters” as the subject line (EXAMPLE: Simon Sanchez Citizen Foresters) and CC your administrators and school email (EXAMPLE: [email protected]).
CITIZEN FORESTER GUAM

Activity Instruction:
Tree Inventory/Mapping Days
If you can’t find time for CFP’s Training & Certification Process you can still get involved by assisting at Tree Inventory/Mapping Days which will be announced periodically via Social Media/Website Calendar. Under guidance of trained Volunteer Leads from DOAG-FSRD & the G3 GROW Corps, you’ll assess the health and condition of trees using different tools and observations. This information is inputted into Guam’s Tree Plotter Inventory Database (Free for public viewing at https://pg-cloud.com/Guam/!). Depending on volunteer turnout at each event, you could be a group’s scribe (notetaker), observer (using a certain tool or eyes), Tree-Plotter (digital scribe), etc. 
 
In Citizen Forester Training
What differs between receiving Volunteer Lead directions at a Tree Inventory/Mapping Day and going through full CF Training yourself is gaining understanding of the importance of trees in developed areas and background knowledge on why we conduct the assessments. It’s also an opportunity for mentorship in a semi-formal setting covering some arborist and plant terminology, tree species statuses, and a glimpse into the work of Guam Forestry, more specifically our Urban & Community Forestry (UCF) Program.DOAG-FSRD Office

Reflection Instruction:
With no minimum page or word requirement, reflect on the following questions in writing: What drew you to the Citizen Forester Program; had you done anything like this before? How was this project a service to Guåhan; in what ways other than ecologically? (think of Benefits of the Urban Forest) What are some new things you learned; how can you continue to use or pass the knowledge onto others? Finally, name at least TWO (2) tree species you assessed; what status do they fall under (i.e, native, introduced, invasive)? Do they have special uses/noteworthy characteristics?     Smart Tree - DOAG-FSRD Office GUAM

Learning Standards/Objectives:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Standard 5: Responsible Personal and Social Behavior
HS.5.1 Demonstrate safe and appropriate use and care of equipment and facilities.
HS.5.2 Relate the benefits of physical activity to social and emotional well-being.
HS.5.3 Describe the potential physiological risks associated with physical activity in various environments.
HS.5.5 Develop strategies for inclusion of all students in physical activity.
BIOLOGY
BI. 1.6 Demonstrate by actions in the school community caring and respect for the environment and living organisms.
BI.2.26 Explain that the amount of life any environment can support is limited by the available energy, water, oxygen, and minerals, and by the ability of ecosystems to recycle the residue of dead organic materials; recognize, therefore, that human activities and technology can change the flow and reduce the fertility of the land.
BI.2.27 Understand and explain the significance of the introduction of species, such as the brown tree snake and other invasive species into Guam’s ecosystem, and describe the consequent harm to native species and the environment in general
BI.2.30 Recognize and describe how human beings are part of Earth’s ecosystems and that human activities can, deliberately or inadvertently, alter the equilibrium in ecosystems.
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
WG.3.2 Analyze how selected physical and ecological processes shape the Earth’s surface, including the following:
• How regional climatic patterns and weather phenomena affect people and places
• How humans influence the environment and are influenced by it
• How technology affects one’s ability to modify the environment and adapt to it
WG.3.6 Sequence the patterns of urban development, including the following:
•The concepts of site and situation to major cities in each region
• How the functions of towns and cities have changed over time
WG.3.7 Evaluate the unique influence of urban areas and some challenges they face.
WG.5.1 Categorize the types of natural, human, and capital resources and explain their significance, including the following:
• Their influence on patterns of economic activity and land use
• Different perspectives and consequences regarding the use of resources
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Standard 1: Creativity and Innovation
9–12.1.1 Produce original media products that incorporate different content areas using a combination of text, images, sound, music, or video for personal or group expression and inclusion in portfolios.
9–12.1.2 Analyze survey data, report information, and display the data in a variety of ways (e.g., tables, graphs) to support conclusions.
Standard 2: Communication and Collaboration
9–12.2.1 Interact and collaborate with others using a variety of digital communication tools (e.g., peer review and editing, debate, joint data collection) to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
Standard 3: Research for Problem Solving and Decision Making
9–12.3.6 Select and use digital tools, instruments, and measurement devices to collect and organize data while conducting experiments, evaluating theories, and testing hypotheses.
9–12.3.9 Create an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) of digital images, music, and custom animated projects.
Standard 4: Digital Citizenship
9–12.4.3 Follow protocols when accessing multiple digital communities (e.g., online lists and forums).
9–12.4.5 Practice responsible and appropriate use of technology systems, software, and information and comply with copyright laws.
 

CONTACT PERSON DETAILS

  Name: Elisa Rose Padilla
 Phone: DOAG-FSRD Office (671) 300-7977/5
Organization/Agency/Business Name: Forestry & Soil Resources Division - Guam Department of Agriculture (DOAG-FSRD) and Smart Trees Pacific
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