Official Press Releases
October 3, 2022
Young CNMI woman awarded the 2022 Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship
Ms. Jolly Ann Cruz, a citizen of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI), is awarded the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) scholarship this year. She is the 21st student to be supported by the BRMC Scholarship since it was first launched in 2017. Each year MCT recruits up to two students to pursue their Master's or Doctorate degrees in conservation or environmental-related fields. Ms. Cruz works with the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA) as the Program Manager for MINA’s Schools, for Environmental Conservation, and the Tasi Watch Rangers initiatives. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 27, 2021
Two Micronesian women awarded the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship
Launched in 2017, the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) Scholarship was established to support young Micronesians in obtaining post-secondary degrees in environment, conservation, and related fields and to return home and support conservation efforts in the region, many of which, the late Bill Raynor started during his time. To date, over 15 students have received scholarships from this program with 100% of them returning to their home islands to work. This year, two more Micronesian women were awarded the BRMC Scholarship to complete their Masters degrees. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 26, 2021
The Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to Support More Micronesia Challenge Activities Across Micronesia
The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) was recently awarded a grant of $850,000 from the US-based Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), to support ongoing Micronesia Challenge (MC) programs and activities across Micronesia. The purpose of the project is to further build the resilience of Micronesian communities and ecosystems to better withstand the impacts of increasing stressors from climate change and global warming by expanding the protection of the region’s most critical natural resources.<READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> May 20, 2021
Pohnpei State invasive species management meets for the first learning exchange
On May 14, 2021, the Invasive Species Taskforce of Pohnpei (ISTOP) conducted an invasive species management and control learning exchange between the municipalities of Pohnpei. The event began with an opening prayer by Deacon Fred Martin representing the Madolenihmw farmers. The Chief of Pohnpei State Agriculture, who is also the Chairman of ISTOP, Mr. Mark Kostka-Kiroun en Pohn Awak was the Master of Ceremony for this event. The learning exchange was attended by 19 farmers from the municipalities. A key highlight of this first Invasive species management learning exchange was the presence of the Honorable Iso Nahnken of Sokehs. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> May 6, 2021
Money Continues to Grow on the Special Ka Trees in Kosrae
On Saturday, May 1, 2021, Dr. Tholman Alik, Executive Director of the Yela Landowners Association, presented checks to the heirs of Alik Kufus for the Yela Forest Conservation Easement. This is an annual event, where the landowners receive dividends from their conservation endowment. This year each family received approximately $2,758. Thus far the conservation easement has provided over $111,665 to the families over the past 5 years. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> December 30, 2020
The Micronesia Conservation Trust Congratulates 2020 BRMC Graduate
The Micronesia Conservation Trust and partners of the Micronesia Challenge (MC) are proud to congratulate, Lincy Lee Marino, for completing her graduate program as a recipient of the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) Scholarship. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> November 24, 2020
Landowners of Ipis in Kuop Atoll Celebrate Completion of the Kuop Conservation Project Guardhouse
On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, the landowners of Ipis in Kuop Atoll (Moses family) from Uman, Chuuk, held an opening ceremony (Efinun) for the Kuop Conservation Project Guardhouse. Despite the bad weather and great distance to Kuop, there was good turnout with many of the people from Uman going out over the weekend and staying until the ceremony on Tuesday. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> September 23, 2020
3rd Annual My Life, My Responsibility Fishing Tournament is the biggest tournament yet hosted by the conservation community in Pohnpei
The Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Pohnpei Menin Katengensed Fish Market, Rare Micronesia, The Nature Conservancy, and Micronesia Conservation Trust hosted the 3rd annual My Life, My Responsibility Fishing Tournament on September 19, 2020. This year’s event was the biggest yet with nearly 30 boats and over 70 individuals registered and participated. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 21, 2020
Pakin Community Completed First Coconut Trade and Updated MCT on Climate Adaptation Project During a Project Site Monitoring
In collaboration with the Pohnpei State Government (Department of Resources and Development and Department of Public Safety), Sokehs Municipal Government and KOHWA Incorporated, Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) visited Pakin Atoll on July 17-18. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 16, 2020
Rockyner Hadley Awarded the 2020 Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund
Rockyner Hadley, a law student at the University of Hawai'i (UH) at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law, was recently awarded the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) Scholarship Fund for the 2020/21 School Year. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 16, 2020
The Micronesia Conservation Trust congratulates 2020 BRMC Graduate
The Micronesia Conservation Trust and partners of the Micronesia Challenge (MC) are proud to announce and congratulate the fourth student to complete her graduate program as a recipient of the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge (BRMC) Scholarship, Ms. Jovalyn Koshiba. <READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> June 22, 2020
Making “Mahr” to Combat Food Security Issues in Pohnpei in the Face of COVID-19
MCT launched a small-scale food security project with several communities in Pohnpei to support community-level preparations to deal with the economic effects of COVID-19 should cases arise in the FSM. Given that it is breadfruit season and the importance of the food source to island culture, the project focuses on mahr (Pohnpeian for fermented breadfruit). READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> May 26, 2020
The Waitt Foundation Donates $20,000 to communities across the FSM to support with their COVID19 efforts
The Waitt Foundation, through its partnership with the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), has approved a $20,000 grant to support the fabrication of face masks to support FSM and its states’ COVID-19 prevention efforts. MCT is currently working with its state and local task forces and partners to identify women’s groups to fabricate these masks. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> May 20, 2020
Yela Landowners Continue to Receive Benefits from their Conservation Easement
The ten families who own part of the Yela Valley in Kosrae continue to benefit from their commitment to conservation and sustainable development. In April 2020, the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), who manages the Yela Conservation Easement Endowment Fund, released $21,111 to the Yela Environment Landowners Association (YELA). READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> September 17, 2019
The Micronesia Conservation Trust awards $390,000 in grant funding to organizations and communities to further enhance the Micronesia Challenge across the region
This week, the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) through a grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) awarded subgrants to 15 organizations and communities in all five jurisdictions of the Micronesia Challenge (MC). READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> July 17, 2019
The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) awards 5 new Graduate Scholarships
The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) and partners of the Micronesia Challenge are proud to announce the selection of the 2019 cohort of talented young professionals to receive Graduate level scholarships under two regional scholarship opportunities available through MCT. The 5 new recipients brings the total number of Graduate students supported to 13 from across the region. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE> |
