Sunday, October 31, 2010

Island Style

Growing up on a small island such as Guam made me appreciate what nature has to offer. One of my favorite past times on the island is heading down to Tumon Bay, where the central beaches on the island are located. I would sit at my usual spot underneath a coconut tree far removed from people and just take time to enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean, catch an occasional sunrise or sunset as well. There’s definitely a feeling of tranquility as I observe this picturesque view of the clear blue Pacific Ocean and listen to the waves as they crash onto the reef. It’s a great way to escape from the frenzy of everyday life and appreciate the simplicity of our natural surroundings.

Living on an island such as Guam, I’ve always been aware of the importance of conservation and preservation of natural habitats. All throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years I’ve been taught the significance of various ecosystems and its benefits for the island and people; whether it is about mangrove estuaries, the coral reef, or the importance of keeping the coastal areas free of trash and the consequences to fisheries of not doing so. I remember during my senior year of high school as part of my marine biology course and with it being earth week, I along with a group of students were tasked with presenting to 3rd and 4th grade students the benefits of coral reefs and the significance of ‘saving’ them. This project made me realize the impact that learning earlier on about natural habitats have on making future generations aware of and appreciate them more. With this in mind, I would say that ‘saving nature’ is an issue that should be of concern especially for future generations.

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