Mariana Islands Nature Alliance

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance
Name	Mariana Islands Nature Alliance
Formation	1990s
Type	Nonprofit environmental organization
Headquarters	Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Region served	Mariana Islands
Leader title	Executive Director

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance is a nonprofit conservation organization working across the Mariana Islands, including the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, to protect native ecosystems, species, and cultural landscapes. The alliance partners with regional governments, international agencies, indigenous organizations, research institutions, and community groups to implement conservation, restoration, and education programs. It operates within networks that include regional bodies and global environmental mechanisms to address biodiversity loss, invasive species, and climate change impacts.

History

The organization traces its origins to conservation initiatives on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in the late 20th century, influenced by regional efforts such as the Pacific Islands Forum, the Micronesia Challenge, and collaborations with institutions like the University of Guam and the University of Hawaiʻi. Early collaborators included the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Guam Department of Agriculture, and international partners such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Over time, it has convened multi-stakeholder programs with organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, BirdLife International, and the World Wildlife Fund, and has engaged with cultural organizations such as the Chamorro and Carolinian councils and the Historic Preservation Office. Its development was shaped by major regional events and agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity and responses to typhoons, coral bleaching events linked with El Niño, and military-related land use discussions.

Mission and Programs

The alliance’s mission emphasizes protection of terrestrial and marine biodiversity across the Mariana Archipelago, integrating traditional ecological knowledge from Chamorro and Carolinian communities with science from institutions such as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Coral Reef Alliance. Core programs are oriented toward endangered species recovery for taxa recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, habitat restoration aligning with Ramsar Convention priorities, and invasive species control informed by the Global Invasive Species Programme and regional quarantine agencies. Programmatic partners include the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Asian Development Bank for capacity-building and resilience planning.

Conservation Projects

Conservation projects span native forest restoration on Saipan and Rota with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, shoreline protection and reef restoration with partners like The Ocean Conservancy and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, and seabird and raptor nesting site protection informed by work from BirdLife International and Audubon Society affiliates. The alliance has undertaken fence-and-eradication campaigns targeting invasive mammals using methods evaluated by the Island Conservation organization and established native plant nurseries drawing on expertise from Botanical Research Institute partners and botanic gardens such as the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Honolulu Botanical Garden. Projects have included monitoring of cetaceans in waters adjacent to the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and cooperation with the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument management on protected area planning.

Research and Monitoring

Research collaborations involve universities and agencies including the University of Guam, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Monitoring efforts cover coral reef health using Reef Check and AGRRA protocols, bird population surveys coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and BirdLife International, and herpetofauna assessments with specialists from the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution. The alliance contributes data to global initiatives such as the IUCN Red List assessments, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and regional databases utilized by the Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Observing System and the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council.

Community Engagement and Education

Community outreach integrates local cultural institutions such as the Guam Museum and the CNMI Historic Preservation Office, schools affiliated with Northern Marianas College and the Guam Community College, and youth programs partnered with Scouts organizations and church groups. Educational activities include citizen science tied to platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, traditional voyaging and resource stewardship dialogues with the Oceania Voyaging Society and indigenous leaders, and resilience workshops coordinated with FEMA region 9 and the Red Cross. The alliance has worked with regional NGOs such as Tasi Lovers, Palau International Coral Reef Center, and Yap Community Action Program to share best practices.

Organizational Structure and Funding

The alliance operates with a board of directors drawn from local leaders, conservation scientists, and nonprofit professionals, and staff roles that interface with partners including the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and the Pacific Island Development Program. Funding sources combine grants from institutions like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Department of the Interior, USAID, private foundations such as the MacArthur Foundation and Packard Foundation, and contributions from corporate partners and local donors. Auditing and compliance align with U.S. Internal Revenue Service requirements for nonprofits and reporting mechanisms used by donors including the Global Environment Facility and the Asian Development Bank.

Impact and Recognition

The organization’s work has contributed to the recovery and protection of species listed under U.S. Endangered Species Act assessments and IUCN Red List accounts, measurable gains in native forest cover and coral reef resilience documented in academic journals, and strengthened community stewardship reflected in local policy advising to the CNMI legislature and Guam Legislature. Recognition has come from regional conservation awards and citations by partners including SPREP, the Pacific Islands Forum, and international conservation networks such as BirdLife International and the Coral Triangle Initiative.

Category:Environmental organizations Category:Conservation in the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Non-profit organizations based in the Northern Mariana Islands