The purpose of the workshop was to provide training to local stakeholders to enable them to access, summarize and analyze the RMI Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data, which is collected every ten years by the US Forest Service (USFS) and field crew from across the Pacific. In 2018, along with the regular FIA plots, 20 new plots were installed in terrestrial conservation areas across the RMI. Already established, the FIA was identified as a method for collecting terrestrial data for the Micronesia Challenge. In order to adequately monitor conservation and biologically significant terrestrial landscapes, it was necessary to install additional plots at greater intensity.
The training was conducted by data analyst Julian Dendy, a consultant for the USFS, and Roseo Marquez, the Micronesia Challenge Terrestrial Champion based at MCT. Participants from the following offices and organizations were in attendance: The Ministry of Resources and Commerce, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society, Office of Environment, Planning and Policy Coordination and the Ridge to Reef Project, Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office, the National Energy Office and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (RMI).
The trainees learned to navigate the large FIA database, how to construct data queries, and most importantly, answer questions the RMI has regarding its forest resources. The FIA data can help the RMI understand the condition of forest across the country, including the status of coconut, pandanus, and breadfruit trees, in addition to our most common native tree and plant species. The FIA data can also contribute to the assessment of agroforest in RMI and support our policymakers in developing ideas and actions related to sustainable use and conservation of RMI terrestrial resources. This was the first training of its kind in Micronesia at the request of the NRC. For more information on the FIA and the Micronesia Challenge terrestrial data collection across the region, please visit: https://mcterrestrialmeasures.org/.

As announced previously, MCT has awarded 5 new Graduate level scholarships to students in Micronesia through our two scholarship programs. Each day, we will be highlighting one of them. Today, we would like to introduce you to Ms. Lincy Marino.
Lincy Lee Marino is a young Palauan lady who has a passion and drive for environmental conservation. She completed her undergraduate education at the Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations focusing on environmental policy and development. Additionally, she minored in economics and development studies.
Since graduating in 2016, she has worked as a researcher at the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), a reputable marine science research center in Micronesia. While at PICRC, she focuses on the socioeconomic aspect of marine conservation. As such, Lincy is working closely with other members of the Micronesia Challenge jurisdictions on the regional socioeconomic monitoring, to establish a cohesive monitoring protocol and database storage for all regional socioeconomic studies and data.
From her work at PICRC and her personal experiences, Lincy saw a great need in promoting sustainable management practices in Palau – from development to fisheries and more. Though many countries tend to sacrifice its environment for economic prosperity, it is important for Palau to not lose sight of our pristine environment in exchange for a better economic standing. Thus, it is important to integrate sustainable management practices into all aspects of life in Palau, in order to preserve the environment, along with our cultures and traditions, which are very much tied to the environment. Thus, while establishing herself in her field, she is also pursuing her postgraduate education at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Through a rigorous online program, Lincy is able to continue working while doing her studies. She hopes to graduate with her masters in science (M.S.) degree in Sustainable Management in May 2020

As announced previously, MCT has awarded 5 new Graduate level scholarships to students in Micronesia through our two scholarship programs. Each day, we will be highlighting one of them. Today, we would like to introduce you to Ms. Elchung Hideyos who will attend Sophia University in Japan.
Elchung (El) is from the Republic of Palau. She graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii in May 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies. During the summer of 2017 and 2018, she interned at Ebiil Society, which is a local non-profit in Palau that works with children and community members in teaching environmental science through Palauan indigenous knowledge. Her main project during her internship was monitoring turtle nesting activity and running the annual summer camps. Now she is a full-time employee at Ebiil Society being the Youth/Community Education Program Coordinator. Working with Ebiil Society has shown her that this is the kind of work she wants to pursue in the future. Conservation Biology and Biological Monitoring are what she wants to focus on as well as being able to work with children (the next generation).
Elchung’s passion is to protect and conserve nature and be able to find solutions to the many environmental issues the world faces today. She has been an active member in conservation from a very young age and has participated in many events such as representing Palau in the Our Oceans Youth Summit in Malta in 2017 and assisting in a Seabirds Monitoring trip to the Southwest Islands of Palau. Being from a small island country, she has seen how vulnerable her and her people are with the effects of climate change, global warming, and loss of biodiversity. She wants to be able to positively influence people’s perspectives on living a sustainable lifestyle, being stewards of nature, as well as help keep her Palauan culture alive. “Nature doesn’t depend on Us, We depend on Nature!”

As announced previously, MCT has awarded 5 new Graduate level scholarships to students in Micronesia through our two scholarship programs. Each day, we will be highlighting one of them.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Ms. Annette Ludwig:
Annette Ludwig is a Pohnpeian who was raised in Fiji and currently resides in Guam. She is a recent graduate of the University of Guam with a B.S. in Biology. As an undergraduate, Annette was accepted into the Doris Duke Conservations Scholars Program at the University of California – Santa Cruz. In 2017, she was a summer intern at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. She also participated in a summer experience research program titled “DNA based discoveries in Hawaii’s Biodiversity 2018” at the University of Hawaii – Manoa. Most recently, she was a research assistant at the herbarium of the University of Guam. In her local community, Annette volunteered as a Sunday school teacher for the past five years. At Sophia University, with the Master’s program in Global Environmental Studies, Annette hopes to integrate environmental research with policy making. Her interest is in food security and coastal community resilience to climate change. She intends to examine how neighboring nations are tackling the issue of climate change. Annette aspires to acquire the skills needed to fully serve Micronesia.
The University of Guam is also very proud of their former student and published the following on their site: https://www.uog.edu/…/2019-in-the-news-student-selected-for…

As announced previously, MCT has awarded 5 new Graduate level scholarships to students in Micronesia through our two scholarship programs. Each day, we will be highlighting one of them.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Ms. Carey Demapan...
Håfa Adai! My name is Carey Demapan and I am from the island of Saipan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Currently, I work for the Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) as the Public Outreach Specialist for the Sea Turtle Program. Prior to joining DLNR, I received my Associate’s of Science in Natural Resource Management at the Northern Marianas College and my Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Science at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
It is with great honor and appreciation to be a recipient of the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship. While working in the CNMI, I intend to pursue a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management. I aspire to continue Bill Raynor’s commitment and hope to strengthen conservation initiatives in the CNMI and throughout Micronesia. Dångkulu na si Yu’us Ma’åse to the Micronesia Conservation Trust for supporting my academic goals and career aspirations.

As announced yesterday, MCT has awarded 5 new Graduate level scholarships to students in Micronesia through our two scholarship programs. Each day, we will be highlighting one of them.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Ms. Jovalyn Ilong Koshiba. Ms. Koshiba was born and raised in the Republic of Palau, she is currently the Grants Program Officer for the Palau Protected Areas Network Fund (PAN Fund). She joined PAN Fund and the conservation family in May 2018. In her capacity as the Grants Program Officer, Ms. Koshiba is responsible for various grants management activities for the organization. She also manages the organizations marketing and communications strategy and all engagement with partners and stakeholders.
She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts, double major in English and Historical and Political Studies. She is eager to complete her graduate studies in Masters of Business Administration, from Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii. And committed to contribute to the achievement of the Micronesia Challenge as well as explore other innovative ways to establish a robust sustainable financing mechanisms for the Palau Protected Areas Network.
"Growing up, environment and conservation has been an integral part of my daily life. My father Fritz Koshiba, was very influential in terms of education, environment and conservation, he instilled conservation values and how important it is to perpetuate the environment that cradles the way of life."
Ms. Koshiba is the daughter of Fritz and Martha Koshiba and the wife of Elod F. Ngiraingas. Ms. Koshiba expresses her humbleness and gratitude as one of the Bill Raynor Scholarship Recipient. She is excited and determined to complete her education, in return she can continue give back to her country, Palau.