The Northern Mariana Islands are surrounded by coral reef ecosystems. They give us food, enjoyment, economy and protection. For all these reasons, the coral reefs our important to us. The CNMI's Marine Monitoring Team regularly observes our reefs to track their health. They've collected data from the Northern Islands all the way down to Rota. Their observations (and, maybe yours someday) have given us a better picture of how well our coral reefs are doing.This site was created to introduce you to work of the marine monitoring team. Through this site you will learn to conduct one type of monitoring called a reef flat survey. Begin your lesson by clicking on WHY CORAL REEFS? on your left to explore the everyday value of our reefs. Then go on to WHY MONITOR? to learn about the importance of science for managing impacts to coral reefs. Finally, go to LEARN TO SURVEY to take the Reef Flat Survey Course, play the quadrat game and learn your species using flashcards.
Ecology of Bird Loss Projects's Mariana Islands Forest Ecology Teaching Guide - activities in this guide are geared towards Middle and High School classrooms. Benchmarks Covered (as of August 2012):
Our Island Environment Book 1 - (Grades K-1)
Our Island Environment Book 2 - (Grade 2)
Our Island Environment Book 3 - (Grade 3)
Our Island Environment Book 4 - (Grade 4)
Our Island Enviornment Book 5 - (Grade 5)
Our Island Environment Book 6 - (Grade 6)
DFW's Wildlife Species Handouts:
Birds
The Nature Conservancy's reef resilience course for marine management
Coral Reefs, Polyps in Peril - a short film about the unique biology of coral reefs and their importance to people around the world, as well as the serious threats that they face due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change. But don't let that get you down! The film also explores what individuals can do to help save coral reefs, including supporting sustainable seafood and tourism providers, reducing your CO2 footprint, and promoting coral reef conservation.
Fish and People - "Fish and People" is a 5 module video education series with accompanying lesson plans and teaching resources intended for use in the Solomon Islands. It uses animation to visualise invisible life cycle and fishery management concepts. Contact Simon Foale for more info: simon.foale (AT) jcu.edu.au. Videos here, curriculum outline here.
U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee blog
U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee website
The Nature Conservance Reef Resilence Program
NOAA's Coral-List - subscribe at the bottom of the page
NOAA's Reef Resilience group - subscribe at the bottom of the page