Come and join in a tree planting event within the Manell Watershed in Merizo.  We will be planting 4,000 trees during each of the events. The events are scheduled on Saturdays: September 8, October 6, and November 10. 

The project is spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Soil Resources Division and supported by partners from the Bureau of Statistics and Plans and NOAA - under Guam's Coral Program and NOAA's Habitat Blueprint initiative.  The reforestation work is designed to accomplish a number of goals:  reduce erosion and sedimentation to protect reefs and other marine resources; restore tree cover to hillsides to shade out fire-prone grasses and to promote soil health for native tree restoration; restore vegetation other than grass to hold more water on the hillsides and help reduce flooding incidents in the village.

Preparation Instruction:
Sign up with coordinator (info on bottom of post). Fill out and sign (parent/guardian signature if you are a minor) the Waiver form and bring it to the event with you. 

Wear closed-toe shoes, hat, your favorite working gloves (cotton gloves will be provided), sunblock, bring plenty of water (32 ounces at least) and a small snack.  Car pooling is recommended as parking will be along the road and space will be tight. When you sign up, specific directions on location will be provided to you.

Activity Instruction:
To get to the site volunteers will walk approximately 1 mile through gently sloping to flat grassy terrain, there are no facilities/amenities and no shade along the hike and planting site.  Starting on time at 8:30 a.m. will be key to reaching our planting goals for the day (4,000 trees) and beating the heat.  The views are beautiful and accessible through private property, so public access is not available making this a special opportunity for volunteers and community members to see our southern landscape from this particular vantage point.  Anyone who does not bring drinking water will NOT be permitted to participate.

Reflection Instruction:
In order to earn service learning hours, students need to complete a reflection to turn into a teacher who will input the hours into Power School. Here are possble topics for reflection: 

How can upland activities have an effect on near-shore coastal environs? How does fire affect the general health of both humans and the surrounding habitat? What (if anything) new did you learn today? Will you be changing any of your behaviors, or the behaviors of those around you, to prevent erosion, fire, habitat degradation, etc.?

Learning Standards/Objectives:
We will be learning about : ridge-to-reef relationships, wildfires, erosion, sedimentation, some hydrology, and may touch upon coral health as well. 

Science Standard 1: Science as Inquiry
BI.1.4 Communicate the components and results of life science explorations using appropriate techniques.
BI. 1.6 Demonstrate by actions in the school community caring and respect for the environment and living organisms.
Science Standard 2: Life Science
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.

  Name: Patrick Keeler

 Phone: 671-685-1394

  Email: Patrick.keeler@bsp.guam.gov

Organization/Agency/Business Name: Bureau of Statistics and Plans