Goal: Strengthen local management capacity and reclaim community ownership and stewardship of the 246,608 km² Mariana Trench Marine National Monument (MTMNM)

The Blue Nature Alliance is partnering with the Northern Marianas College (NMC) Natural Resource Management Program (NRMP) to build local capacity and foster community engagement with the MTMNM. Together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and 500 Sails, the Alliance is supporting efforts to integrate Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge into marine management courses, develop internships and technical training programs, and enhance the Monument’s visitor center to reconnect the community with this unique marine environment.

Through this partnership, 500 Sails, a local nonprofit dedicated to reviving Chamorro and Carolinian maritime traditions, will expand its programs to include traditional deep-sea navigation and additional canoe-building. Meanwhile, USFWS is leveraging its local expertise to implement community-focused outreach and education efforts, strengthening ties between the Monument and the islands’ residents.

The Mariana Islands are a living testament to the rich interplay between culture and nature. Spanning 15 islands across the western Pacific, the archipelago is home to vibrant marine ecosystems and the world’s deepest ocean trench. For thousands of years, Indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians have relied on the sea for sustenance, navigation, and cultural identity. This enduring connection continues to shape the islands’ approach to conservation and management.

The MTMNM was established in 2009 to safeguard this extraordinary region. Covering 246,608 km², it encompasses geological marvels, rare deep-sea species, and critical habitats. However, limited local engagement during its designation created gaps in trust and understanding, which the Alliance and its partners now aim to bridge.

To secure durable protections for the MTMNM, this partnership focuses on education and capacity building. NMC NRMP is developing new courses on marine management that integrate Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge, ensuring students and future managers are equipped with skills rooted in both cultural identity and western science. Internships funded by the Alliance will supplement these courses by providing students with hands-on experience and strengthening their ability to address key marine management challenges.

500 Sails, through its canoe-building and traditional navigation programs, will continue to reconnect community members with historic seafaring practices, promoting sustainable traditional access to the Monument. To reach those unable to voyage, our partners will build an enhanced visitor center with exhibits designed by local experts to offer a gateway to understanding the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the MTMNM. 

This collaboration represents a step forward in reuniting culture, education, and conservation. By fostering a constituency grounded in traditional knowledge and western science, the Mariana Islands are setting an example of how local leadership can shape the future of marine protected areas.