War in the Pacific National Historical Park Participates in Earth Week Activities
The War in the Pacific National Historical Park recently supported Earth Week activities on the island of Guam. The Guam Environmental Protection Agency organized a display area at the Micronesia Mall on April 19th and 20th , 2003, which enabled organizations to come and educate the Guam community while showing their dedication to preserving the environment. The theme for this year’s event was “Huguaiya I Tano- Hu” - I love my island.
The Interpretation Rangers and staff from the Arizona Memorial Museum Association brought displays which adressed four different topics related to the environment and the park. Interpretive Park Ranger Ali Spittler exhibited examples of indigenous and introduced species of vegetation found in the Asan Beach Park Unit. Ali created and displayed informational cards which included information on the different plants and their medicinal and cultural uses.
AMMA staff member Anita Cruz constructed a display devoted to the coral reefs and marine life on Guam. Different types of coral were displayed which included brain coral, razor coral, a sea fan, and the different types of marine life found in a coral reef environment where also exhibited. Interpretive Park Ranger Liz Cruz brought with her and interpreted a display which detailed the many uses of the coconut tree.
Uses of the coconut tree include oil for hair and skin (a moisturizer), the coconut shells which can be used for drinking cups or food containers, its frawns which can be woven to make mats, baskets, or hats, milk from the coconut for cooking, sennit for tying, securing, and holding things, and water for hydration. The resiliency of the coconut tree and the versatility of its usages were displayed in a way that the students could appreciate the abundant natural resource that exists on their home island of Guam.
A pictorial exhibit of the seven different War in the Pacific National Historical Park units was provided by the Arizona Memorial Museum Association Guam Branch Manager, Cindy Rapadas. This exhibit showed some of the resources at the Asan Beach Unit, the Asan Inland Unit, the Piti Guns Unit, Mt. Chachao/Tenjo Unit, the Agat Unit, the Mt. Alifan Unit, and the Fonte Plateau Unit.
The public interest was very enthusiastic and supportive! Over the course of the weekend, there were approximately 250 people that stopped at the different displays to gather information and to ask questions. This was a great opportunity for the National Park Service to reach visitors and educate the public on the environmental aspects of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. These displays and an informative park staff made a very positive contribution to Guam’s 2003 Earth Week activities.
