Born and raised on the island of Guam, I was taught from a young age the importance of protecting and appreciating the flora and fauna that surrounds me. I am very excited to be assisting in the development of a monitoring database for native and endemic species here on the island and within the Marianas archipelago. I decided to apply to work in this site because Guam is known for being a “Biodiversity Hotspot.” With many of our native flora and fauna becoming threatened and extirpated by invasive species, I wanted to take part in making a change and hopefully reintroducing and increasing some native species populations.

I’m thankful for this opportunity because while the people of Guam are aware of the construction and development that occurs on island, we never really get a look at what the plans are for the species that originally inhabited those construction sites. Partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, I was able to learn about conservation measures that are in place for ongoing development projects. The range of these conservation measures is absolutely astounding! I was already familiar with maybe one or two measures, but what I hadn’t realized is that there are so many more ways to promote conservation! From native tree planting to Brown Tree Snake barrier installations, the conservation of the species that originally inhabited these areas is definitely a priority in the service.

Whether you have a passion for the flora and fauna in your area or maybe you’d like to learn about conservation work in another area, the Directorate Fellowship Program is the way to go! Not only do you get to work in conservation and learn about all these species and methods to conserve them, but you also get to meet amazing people, through the program and as a MANO member, who can guide you on the steps to build a career in one (or more!) of the many programs that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has to offer! After reading this blog post, I suggest taking a trip to your local library (while social distancing!) or looking online for some of the native species in your area. You just might be inspired by what you find! Si Yu’us ma’åse’! (Thank you!)

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Ecological Services Marianas Field Office