Transportation for all land-based field trips will be by carpool, starting and ending at the American Memorial Park parking lot.
Monday Nov. 18 1-4pm, pre-conference proa rides on Saipan Lagoon led by 500 Sails
Take a ride on a Chamorro sailing canoe. Called the "Chamorro Flying Proa" by Western mariners who witnessed them flying across the waves in excess of 20 miles per hour in the 16th century, these indigenous canoes were once the fastest sailing vessels in the world. 500 Sails, a local non-profit that is working to bring canoe culture back into daily life in the Marianas, will have canoes with local sailors waiting on the beach near the Hyatt Hotel to take conference attendees for a 30 minute ride. Suggested donation is $10.00.
Monday Nov. 18 4:45-6:15pm, pre-conference Mariana swiftlet field trip led by CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife
The field trip will begin with a short (5-10 min) hike along a native limestone forest trail. As we get closer to the opening of the cave, we will begin to hear the swiftlet echolocation clicks that they use to find prey and navigate into and out of the cave. At the cave entrance, we will stop and watch the large number of birds circling overhead and entering and exiting the cave system where they will roost for the night. A DFW staff member will be present to discuss conservation efforts to help manage this federally and locally endangered species. The hike out will be at dusk so please bring a head lamp or flashlight if you have one. Good hiking shoes are a must because of the uneven trail. Registration limited to 20 persons.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Managaha field trip led by CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife
Managaha Islet receives over 400,000 visitors annually, but terrestrial conservation value of this rat- and cat-free island remain high. Participants will visit the island "after hours" to enjoy a peaceful sunset. You will have about an hour to explore the island. A DFW staffperson will be on hand to share about Managaha's conservation values, challenges, and opportunities. You may also see Managaha's resident Micronesian megapode, your highest probability of seeing this endangered bird in the southern Marianas. Bring water, and other drinks or snacks if you want. Registration is limited to 9 persons.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7-9pm, Lizard identification trip led by US Geological Survey
Have you ever seen a gecko and wondered what kind it was? How about a skink running across the grass while you’re walking by? Is it native? Is it introduced? How many different lizard species do we have on Saipan and where can you find them? You’ll learn all this and more on the lizard identification field trip! We will begin our night search for geckos and other lizard species at the American Memorial Park parking lot. We will describe key lizard identification features and discuss the different species you’re likely to find on Saipan and throughout the Marianas. Please wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for rain. If you have a high-powered flashlight or headlamp, plan to bring it. We will have additional headlamps to loan out as well. Be prepared to have fun and get excited about lizards!
Wednesday, Nov. 20 6am-Noon, Birding trip led by Micronesia Environmental Services
We will aim to see as many of Saipan's bird species as possible, including both resident endemics such as Nightingale Reed-warbler and Golden white-eye, and migratory species such as Whimbrel and Ruddy Turnstone. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope/tripod if you have it, but additional will be available for sharing. Also bring water, wear closed-toed shoes, and be prepared for the sun (e.g., hat, sunscreen, etc.).
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8am-10am, Tree planting led by Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance & CNMI Forestry
Do your part for Yutu recovery by planting tree seedlings. Gloves, water, etc., will be provided.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8am-10am, Jeffrey's Beach tour led by CNMI Division of Coastal Resources Management
Tourists at popular Jeffrey’s Beach are driving over and disturbing a fragile estuarine riverbed, damaging a rare wetland. The Commonwealth’s Coastal Resources Management Program is working with partners to address the problem, designing a boardwalk that will wind all the way to the beach. Take a walk through this estuarine ecosystem and learn more about the project's origin, the funding process, and the agency coordination required to allow this project to reach fruition. Once completed, this project will help protect water quality, the estuarine and dune habitats, and the organisms that inhabit them, such as the goby and rock flagtail fish species not seen elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8-11am, Limestone karst forest hike led by the Ecology of Bird Loss Project
The Ecology of Bird Loss crew will take participants into native limestone forest in the Laderan Tangke area. Geological and ecological features will be pointed out along with flora and fauna. Participants will get to learn about the geological features and how different ecological factors determine the flora and fauna they will observe. Participants can expect a moderate hike of approximately two miles on rough karst features and through some off-trail areas.
Monday Nov. 18 1-4pm, pre-conference proa rides on Saipan Lagoon led by 500 Sails
Take a ride on a Chamorro sailing canoe. Called the "Chamorro Flying Proa" by Western mariners who witnessed them flying across the waves in excess of 20 miles per hour in the 16th century, these indigenous canoes were once the fastest sailing vessels in the world. 500 Sails, a local non-profit that is working to bring canoe culture back into daily life in the Marianas, will have canoes with local sailors waiting on the beach near the Hyatt Hotel to take conference attendees for a 30 minute ride. Suggested donation is $10.00.
Monday Nov. 18 4:45-6:15pm, pre-conference Mariana swiftlet field trip led by CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife
The field trip will begin with a short (5-10 min) hike along a native limestone forest trail. As we get closer to the opening of the cave, we will begin to hear the swiftlet echolocation clicks that they use to find prey and navigate into and out of the cave. At the cave entrance, we will stop and watch the large number of birds circling overhead and entering and exiting the cave system where they will roost for the night. A DFW staff member will be present to discuss conservation efforts to help manage this federally and locally endangered species. The hike out will be at dusk so please bring a head lamp or flashlight if you have one. Good hiking shoes are a must because of the uneven trail. Registration limited to 20 persons.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Managaha field trip led by CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife
Managaha Islet receives over 400,000 visitors annually, but terrestrial conservation value of this rat- and cat-free island remain high. Participants will visit the island "after hours" to enjoy a peaceful sunset. You will have about an hour to explore the island. A DFW staffperson will be on hand to share about Managaha's conservation values, challenges, and opportunities. You may also see Managaha's resident Micronesian megapode, your highest probability of seeing this endangered bird in the southern Marianas. Bring water, and other drinks or snacks if you want. Registration is limited to 9 persons.
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7-9pm, Lizard identification trip led by US Geological Survey
Have you ever seen a gecko and wondered what kind it was? How about a skink running across the grass while you’re walking by? Is it native? Is it introduced? How many different lizard species do we have on Saipan and where can you find them? You’ll learn all this and more on the lizard identification field trip! We will begin our night search for geckos and other lizard species at the American Memorial Park parking lot. We will describe key lizard identification features and discuss the different species you’re likely to find on Saipan and throughout the Marianas. Please wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for rain. If you have a high-powered flashlight or headlamp, plan to bring it. We will have additional headlamps to loan out as well. Be prepared to have fun and get excited about lizards!
Wednesday, Nov. 20 6am-Noon, Birding trip led by Micronesia Environmental Services
We will aim to see as many of Saipan's bird species as possible, including both resident endemics such as Nightingale Reed-warbler and Golden white-eye, and migratory species such as Whimbrel and Ruddy Turnstone. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope/tripod if you have it, but additional will be available for sharing. Also bring water, wear closed-toed shoes, and be prepared for the sun (e.g., hat, sunscreen, etc.).
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8am-10am, Tree planting led by Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance & CNMI Forestry
Do your part for Yutu recovery by planting tree seedlings. Gloves, water, etc., will be provided.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8am-10am, Jeffrey's Beach tour led by CNMI Division of Coastal Resources Management
Tourists at popular Jeffrey’s Beach are driving over and disturbing a fragile estuarine riverbed, damaging a rare wetland. The Commonwealth’s Coastal Resources Management Program is working with partners to address the problem, designing a boardwalk that will wind all the way to the beach. Take a walk through this estuarine ecosystem and learn more about the project's origin, the funding process, and the agency coordination required to allow this project to reach fruition. Once completed, this project will help protect water quality, the estuarine and dune habitats, and the organisms that inhabit them, such as the goby and rock flagtail fish species not seen elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 8-11am, Limestone karst forest hike led by the Ecology of Bird Loss Project
The Ecology of Bird Loss crew will take participants into native limestone forest in the Laderan Tangke area. Geological and ecological features will be pointed out along with flora and fauna. Participants will get to learn about the geological features and how different ecological factors determine the flora and fauna they will observe. Participants can expect a moderate hike of approximately two miles on rough karst features and through some off-trail areas.
