In celebration of Arbor Day 2025, the Guam Department of Agriculture’s Forestry & Soil Resources Division (FSRD), in partnership with the Inalåhan Mayor’s Office, hosted a community tree planting event at the Gådaos Sagan Humugånada Playground and Park.

With this year’s theme, “Green Spaces, Shared Places: Enhancing our Forest Together,” the event brought together a wide range of agencies, volunteers, and youth organizations to promote the importance of trees in both environmental health and wildfire prevention.

Mayor Anthony Chargualaf extended heartfelt thanks to all who made the event possible.

“On behalf of the Inalåhan Mayor's Office, we extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated teams from Forestry, the Guam Fire Department, the Department of Agriculture, and the Air Force 36th Security Forces for their exceptional support and cooperation in ensuring the success of the tree planting event. Your efforts have significantly contributed to this achievement,” Chargualaf said.

Fifteen native and fruit trees were planted during the event, with helping hands from DOAG Conservation Officers, University of Guam Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability, GROW Corps, KUPU Corps, American Red Cross, and local community members.

In addition to tree planting, the FSRD introduced two outreach initiatives:

1. Environmental Education Support – The first 60 copies of The Natural Inquirer: The Pacific Islands Edition (Animals, Ecosystems, and Cultures) were donated to the Mayor’s Office to help circulate them to Southern High School science classes. The magazines are available free of charge to all Guam public high schools. Educators can request copies by emailing Forestry@doag.guam.gov

2. Wildfire Prevention Partnership– The FSRD presented two smoke alarm installation kits to the American Red Cross Guam Chapter to support its “Sound the Alarm” campaign. Valued at $1,400, the kits were presented to ARC Community Disaster Program Manager Ed Lee. They were acquired through a USDA Forest Service grant as part of the island’s developing Guam Firewise program, which promotes community-based wildfire preparedness.

Forestry Chief Christine Camacho Fejeran emphasized the long-term value of community partnerships and environmental stewardship.

“We are so very thankful for the opportunity to connect partners and community in the conversations regarding the magnificence of our trees and the role they play in our environment and wildland fire mitigation efforts,” she said. “We all know, although it’s rainy season right now, in a few months we’ll be transitioning to dry season, and the ever-looming threat of human-caused wildfires. Plant your tree today and help us convert fire-prone invasive grasslands to forested lands.”

Upcoming Arbor Month events are:
? Oct 18: Department of Agriculture’s “AG LOVES GU” Outreach Event at COTAL “Kottot” Conservation Area (9:00AM-12:30PM)
? Oct 18: FSRD’s Citizen Forester Program Mapping Day at Inalåhan Playground
? TBD Tree Planting at Guam Police Department’s Central Precinct with GPD staff supported by FSRD
? Oct 25: FSRD Annual Trick or Trees Planting Event at COTAL “Kottot” Conservation Area on Cross Island Road (9:00AM-12:00pm) – this is a Halloween event so feel free to wear a costume you are able to plant trees in
? TBD Tree Planting in Yona with the Yona Mayor’s Office supported by FSRD
? Oct 31: Guam Department of Education Head Start Program’s Head Start Safety Day – The FSRD team will give a fire and tree work safety presentation
? Nov 1: FSRD’s Citizen Forester Program Mapping Day

For more information, contact Guam DOAG-FSRD office at forestry@doag.guam.gov or (671) 300-7975/77.