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Sustainable Start

At the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability & Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant), we define sustainability as the balance between meeting current needs and safeguarding the resources of future generations. Established in 2009, UOG CIS & Sea Grant is the region’s lead institution for supporting the transition toward a sustainable, self-reliant, and prosperous island community.

Ocean of Reach

Since our founding, UOG CIS & Sea Grant has evolved into the region’s focal point for sustainability research and community outreach. We collaborate closely with government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to address critical island needs across four key pillars: Environment, Economy, Society, and Education.

A Green Future

With an expanding portfolio of implementation projects and strong community partnerships, UOG CIS & Sea Grant is moving the region toward a sustainable tomorrow. Our work is defined by action. Through transformative programs like Guam Green Growth, the SEAS Islands Alliance, and Navigating Home, we are turning sustainability plans into on-the-ground reality.

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Flyer soliciting applicants to the 2026 G3 GROW Conservation Corps.

UOG CIS & Sea Grant opens recruitment for short-term G3 GROW Corps

The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has opened recruitment for a special short-term Guam Green Growth Guam Restoration of Watersheds Conservation Corps, offering community members an opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience in forestry, watershed restoration and other green-industry careers.

Three student fellows give a presentation in a room with ocean murals. One fellow speaks and gestures in front of a monitor displaying a slide about their coral research titled "Our Thoughts on Working with Dr. Houk & Team," while audience members listen in the foreground.

1 Island, 1 Future: Inside the UOG CIS and Sea Grant REEF program, building capacity in our students

Three undergraduate students, Angelie Donguines, Ale’a Duenas, and Dominic Torres participated in the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant’s Research Education and Extensive Fellowship (REEF) program in Dr. Peter Houk’s lab at the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Through hands-on projects involving coral skeleton identification, benthic image analysis, and contributing to regional datasets, the interns worked with the Micronesia Coral Reef Monitoring (MCRM) program and learned how to use scientific data and technology to support the protection and monitoring of coral reef ecosystems.

Guam Department of Agriculture Director Chelsa Muna stands indoors speaking into a microphone, gesturing toward a large digital display screen that reads "Guam Coastal Fisheries Management Plan Community Meeting" next to an audience member.

Guam Coastal Fisheries Management Plan public comment period extended

The Guam Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) has extended the public comment period for the draft Guam Coastal Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) through July 21, 2026, providing additional time for fishers, community members, businesses, and stakeholders to review the draft plan and submit feedback.

A large group of youth conservation corps members and leadership pose indoors, holding up colorful square signs with various icons and Chamoru text representing local sustainability and conservation goals.

Guam Green Growth launches first-ever youth conservation corps

Guam Green Growth (G3) and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS and Sea Grant) launched the first G3 Youth Conservation Corps this week, a new initiative that introduces high school students to careers in sustainability and the green economy.

Video Spotlight

UOG CIS & Sea Grant Snapshots

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo

Contact Us 

303 University Drive

UOG Station

Mangilao, Guam 96913 

Phone: (671)735-5631 

 Email: cis@uog.edu  

seagrant@uog.edu    

©2026 University of Guam 

Sea Grant. All rights reserved.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)-735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant.
All rights reserved.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive
UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant. All rights reserved.

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Marine biologist Mafalda Gentil Martins Seiz de Freitas speaks at the 17th Conference on Island Sustainability.

CIS2026 Friday: Rethinking ocean waste in the Pacific

At the 17th Conference on Island Sustainability, marine biologist Mafalda Gentil Martins Seiz de Freitas delivered a presentation grounded in urgency and innovation, drawing directly from her work addressing marine debris across the Pacific.

William Castillo, wearing a red floral aloha shirt and a lei, speaks into a microphone behind a tropical-themed podium at the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

CIS2026 FRIDAY: Featured speaker at sustainability conference turns waste into opportunity

“And I think a lot of us, across island communities, are standing in that same proverbial space, surrounded by opportunity, but calling it waste.”

That reflection from William Castillo anchored his presentation at the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability, where he was featured as a speaker sharing perspectives on value-added agriculture and economic resilience for island communities. Castillo is an associate professor and director of workforce development at Leeward Community College, where he leads initiatives that link education, workforce training, and entrepreneurship.

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., wearing a yellow shirt and lei, speaks into a microphone on stage during the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Investing in sustainability yields 30x return for Guam Green Growth

With approximately $1 million in annual local funding, the Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative generated more than $30 million in external funding last year—an over 30-fold return that underscores the value of investing in sustainability programs, according to UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Director Austin Shelton, Ph.D.

GVB President Regine Biscoe Lee signs an MOU as UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez (left) and Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero (right) observe.

GVB commits to strengthening sustainability efforts for Guam’s future

(Tumon, Guam) – Today, the Guam Visitors Bureau announced the signing of its memorandum of understanding with the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability (UOG CIS), Sea Grant, and Guam Green Growth (G3) at Hyatt Regency Guam in Tumon during UOG CIS’s weeklong Conference on Sustainability.

Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka speaks at the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Educators call for reimagined prosperity rooted in Pacific Futures at Sustainability Conference

“Because for us in the Pacific, resilience is not a trend,” said Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, Ph.D., founder and executive director of Finafinau, one of two educators at the forefront of Pacific scholarship and advocacy who served as featured speakers, framing the emotional and political weight of island resilience in the face of ongoing environmental and social challenges.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, and Francois Rogers hold signed documents at the 17th UOG Conference on Island Sustainability.

CIS2026 THURSDAY: Guam reaffirms 100% renewable energy commitment

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, and Blue Planet Alliance Executive Director Francois Rogers sign a document reaffirming Guam’s commitment to the 100×100 renewable energy campaign during the 17th Conference on Island Sustainability on Thursday.

Video Spotlight

UOG CIS & Sea Grant Snapshots

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo

Contact Us 

303 University Drive

UOG Station

Mangilao, Guam 96913 

Phone: (671)735-5631 

 Email: cis@uog.edu  

seagrant@uog.edu    

©2026 University of Guam 

Sea Grant. All rights reserved.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)-735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant.
All rights reserved.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive
UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant. All rights reserved.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo

Contact Us 

303 University Drive

UOG Station

Mangilao, Guam 96913 

Phone: (671)735-5631 

 Email: cis@uog.edu  

seagrant@uog.edu    

©2026 University of Guam 

Sea Grant. All rights reserved.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)-735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant.
All rights reserved.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration logo
303 University Drive
UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671)735-5631 
 Email: cis@uog.edu  
seagrant@uog.edu   
Contact Us  
©2026 University of Guam 
Sea Grant. All rights reserved.
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