The tasi watch program: strengthening local capacity and involvement in natural resource management (12 months)

The Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs awarded a $125,000 Project Grant under the Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories (CFDA 15.875) program to the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (Mina), a minority-owned non-profit organization, for their Tasi Watch program. The Tasi Watch rangers will conduct a variety of natural resource management activities over the 12-month award period, including: monofilament debris collection and monitoring, plant nursery support, invasive vine monitoring, watershed surveillance and reporting, clean-up efforts, native tree plantings, and community outreach events. As a subrecipient, Mina has also supported coral reef restoration and marine debris removal projects in the past. This federal grant award will enable Mina to continue strengthening local capacity and involvement in natural resource management across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Tasi watch rangers will continue with activities such as monofilament debris collection and monitoring, plant nursery support, invasive vine monitoring efforts, watershed surveillance and reporting, clean-up activities, native tree plantings, and a multitude of outreach events.