by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - For nearly two decades, the George Washington High School Marine Mania Club has promoted environmental and marine awareness. This year, many of those same students are taking it further with the newly formed Eco-Geckos.

The new group is working together with the Guam Community College and University of Guam to promote sustainability on campus. GW advisor Linda Tatreau says the club shares similar goals and members of the Marine Mania Club, but Eco-Geckos receives support and funding through grants via its sustainability partners. The knowledge and experience though helps build a stronger club. "We're just starting it, but you know with Marine Mania, we've been around for a long time and these are 'Maniacs' that are here today, and I'm just proud that they care, they're enthusiastic and like I said and they're ready to go out and make a difference," said Tatreau.

With two meetings under its belt, the club is already planning several activities from creating a green roof of plants to provide cooler temperatures in classrooms and creating a "Geckos Going Green for A Sustainable Future" t-shirt providing simple tips on recycling and energy saving.

GW junior Natividad Rosario says she took part to further promote the go green movement, telling KUAM News, "I decided to join because I feel as a student I need to help make awareness of the Earth and how to make it more green because a lot of people are starting to trash it."

As with Marine Mania, the club will also focus on recycling and continue to make use of the campus recycle bins. GW junior Dion Aguon says the club will soon start making presentations in English classes to teach students about recycling. "We hope that we can get more if not everyone at GW to recycle and stop putting trash in the recycle bins," she said.

Whether you're in a club or doing it on your own, Rosario says engaging in environmental activities help you set an example for others. "I think its best because when you start young, you make a lot more people aware…you can make more of a change because as you get older, you get more smarter and know what to do," she added.

Tatreau says many of the students started as freshman in Marine Mania and hope a club like Eco-Geckos will further help them possibly go into careers or further studies dealing with environmental issues.