About MINA
Saipan as seen from Mt. Tapochau
What is MINA?
MINA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the diverse natural resources of the Northern Mariana Islands. MINA's members come from all walks of life and are tied together by the clear understanding that we, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, have the right and responsibility to act as stewards of our own natural inheritance. MINA currently has an nine (9) member board of directors and more than 90 active individual and business members. Individual membership dues are $20 per year, student dues are $5 per year and business member dues are $100 per year. Membership forms are available here.
Our Mission
To conserve and restore the array of habitats that sustains our natural biodiversity and heritage for today and tomorrow.
Board of Directors
Frances Castro, Chairwoman
Ron Smith, Vice Chairman
Frank M. Eliptico, Secretary
Reina C. Camacho, Treasurer
Agnes "Sam" Sablan, Board Member
Alex Sablan, Board Member
Ben Babauta, Board Member
Laurence Boyer, Board Member
Acting Executive Director
Agnes "Sam" Sablan
Committees
MINA invites its members to join in the following committees. If you are interested in helping out, please see each of the assigned Committee Chairs or email mina@minapacific.org.
Programs & Grants Committee, Chair F. Castro
Membership/Public Relations Committee, Director V. Babauta
Fiscal Affairs/Fundraising Committee, Director A. Sablan
Climate Change Committee, Director R. Smith
Priority Issues
Based on the results of MINA's first Strategic Planning Workshop on November 17, 2007 and further refined by subsequent Board and Planning Committee meetings, the members of MINA have identified the following priority issues on which to focus during the next 3 years:
- Meeting the Micronesia Challenge
- Solid waste management
A Brief History
A group of environmentally concerned individuals worked with The Nature Conservancy to organize a meeting of representatives with environmental interests, including CNMI government agencies, community organizations and volunteers. Two meetings were November 19 through the 20th in 2004. The goals of the meetings and the workshop were to share ideas, invigorate the nonprofit environmental community, and discuss collaboration and ways to increase effectiveness.
The result of this two day meeting was the formation of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance in May 2005. A strategic planning session was held May 7th, facilitated by Willy Kostka, then president of the Pohnpei Conservation Society, and Bill Raynor, of the Nature Conservancy. The 2005-2008 Strategic Plan was the result of that session.
Annual Reports
Last Updated: 3/10/2008