In 2004, a group of environmental activists in the Northern Mariana Islands were concerned about the degradation of their unique natural heritage. They organized a series of meetings with government agencies, community organizations, and volunteers, which led to the formation of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance in 2005. Today, MINA runs several environmental stewardship programs to protect the region’s water, air, and land. Saipan, the most populous island, is home to diverse coral reefs, large seagrass beds, and more than 250 fish species across 24 lagoon habitats. MINA’s Adopt-A-Bin program places recycling and mixed waste bins at popular beaches to keep marine debris out of Saipan’s waters. After typhoons devastated the islands in 2015 and 2018, their Bring Back Our Trees campaign mobilized more than 200 volunteers to plant more than 1,000 native trees on island beaches. By getting ordinary citizens involved in conservation, MINA works to restore and protect the islands’ natural treasures.
MINA has five paid staff members and an active board that reflects the diverse local and indigenous communities they serve across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. More than 100 occasional volunteers support their community initiatives. One of MINA’s best-known programs is Tasi Watch (“tasi” means “sea” in the local Chamorro language), through which unemployed recent high school graduates are recruited and trained to become community conservation ambassadors. These 19 “Rangers” monitor local beaches, remove marine debris, and help protect the islands’ coral reefs. MINA also runs the Schools for Environmental Conservation program, which works with Saipan students to raise awareness about local environmental issues. Their Community Recycles Plastics program partners with schools, offices, and community centers to collect and recycle waste into usable products. Each year MINA hosts its Green Gala ceremony, a fundraiser and celebration honoring local environmental champions.