ABOUT PCRP

The Micronesia Region encompasses hundreds of islands in a space characterized by industrial fishing operations and roughly one-third of the world’s tropical cyclones. This results in a 

substantial amount of large marine debris scattered throughout small communities that have little capacity for removal. In 2023, a location-aware field survey and removal prioritization framework was deployed by Mariana Islands-based Pacific Coastal Research and Planning and Palau-based Coral Reef Research Foundation. Now set to expand across the Region, the survey is enabling partners to collect standardized information related to vessel and buoy wreckage, and hazards to the environment. PCRP is leading a comprehensive effort to remove vessels across Micronesia, properly dispose of materials, work with local contractors, and engage the community through outreach programs.

Marine Debris Page

PCRP was awarded an Urban & Community Forestry grant through the U.S. Forest Service to build community resilience and food security in the CNMI. Our efforts are focused on planting native and fruiting trees, removing hazardous trees, and eliminating the invasive African tulip (Spathodea campanulata). In addition, our Forestry Program is working to increase local capacity through job training and expanding local tree nurseries with our partners at DLNR Rota Forestry, Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research Extension & Education Service, and local private nurseries

Forestry Page

With support from the National Coastal Resilience Fund, NOAA, NFWF, and a constellation of CNMI agencies and organizations, we’ve been working to plan, design, and implement shoreline enhancements and natural solutions to coastal hazards along Saipan’s western coastal plain. From a community visioning process in 2020 to the development of construction bid packages in 2026, we’re leveraging the expertise and knowledge of a diverse team to bring nature-based solutions and shoreline adaptations to life!

Check out our Shorelines Program page to learn more about our current efforts along the Saipan Lagoon and Beach Road corridor.

Shorelines Program

PCRP has the good fortune to serve as CNMI Liaison on the regional Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System team, getting our hands wet in the coordination and stewardship of a variety of ocean observing instruments and programs!  As the point of contact and “toes on the sand” for PacIOOS activities in the Northern Marianas, we work with local agencies and organizations to identify partner priorities, implement data collection initiatives, and extend new ocean data and forecasting tools to the community.

Learn more about these efforts on our Ocean Observing page, or explore partner links below:

• https://www.pacioos.hawaii.edu/

• ‍ https://cdip.ucsd.edu/m/about/

• ‍ ‍https://backyardbuoys.org/

• ‍ ‍https://500sails.org/

PCRP, in partnership with Horsley Witten Group and the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA), is working with the community to design and implement restoration projects in the CNMI’s priority watersheds (Laolao Bay and Achugao). Stemming from a restoration site prioritization process and driven by stakeholder input, we’re working to revive natural stream and wetland corridors, buffer popular shoreline recreation sites from storms, and keep our school campuses from flooding. Check out our watersheds page for more information.

Watersheds Page

Our work is grounded in data and maps.  Whether we’re working on a site-specific design or implementing a resource inventory across an entire region, PCRP leverages geospatial technology and mapping to enhance our work, communicate results, and extend tools and services to island communities.   We maintain an active non-profit partnership with ESRI, enabling outreach and extension of resources beyond our day-to-day project work, and participate as an organizational member of the Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing Council and the CNMI GIS User Group.  

For a peek at some of the resources we extend, check out the PCRP GeoPortal or our datasets in the Pacific Data Hub.  If you’re an individual or organization using GIS in the CNMI and want to engage more, reach out and join the Northern Marianas’ GIS User Group – the Marianas Mappers!

• ‍https://uatweb.pacificdata.org/data/organization/pacific-coastal-research-planning

• https://pcrp-geoportal-pcrp.hub.arcgis.com/

• https://pgrsc.org/

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