The Yoña community came together to celebrate Arbor Month by planting 28 trees, turning shared spaces into greener, healthier places. The effort, led by the Guam Department of Agriculture’s Forestry & Soil Resources Division, the Yoña Mayor’s Office and the Southern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District, highlights the island’s growing commitment to sustainability and community collaboration.

The tree planting took place around the village Senior Citizen Center and baseball field. Volunteers planted 15 native trees and 13 fruit trees to boost local agroforestry and biodiversity. Native species included Åhgao, Langiti, Dukduk, and Ifit, while fruit trees such as Banaba, Calamansi, and Tamarind will bring both shade and harvest to the area.

Support came from many community partners, including the Department of Parks and Recreation Park Police, Guam Customs & Quarantine, the Guam Fire Department, USDA-APHIS-WS, the University of Guam, CIS Sea Grant KUPU Corps, and Smart Trees Pacific.

“As a Cultural Practitioner myself, events like this reminds me of what has been afforded to us by our ancestors and we need to take responsibility for the land and its resources so that when we become the ancestors, there will also be a land and its resources that we can afford for our children and the future generations,” shared Brian Terlaje, Mayor of Yoña.

“This event is a great example of what we can accomplish when our government agencies, partners, and residents work together toward a shared goal. Planting trees isn’t just about beautifying our spaces– it’s about building resilience, improving our environment, and strengthening our connection to the land and each other. We’re proud to see Yoña leading by example in growing greener, healthier communities across Guam,” stated Chelsa Muna, Guam Department of Agriculture Director.

Southern Guam SWCD Director Martha Tenorio added a poetic touch, saying, “Planting a tree is more than putting something in the ground– it's an act of faith. As Joyce Kilmer wrote, ‘Only God can make a tree,’ so let’s come together and plant them!”

The Yoña event is part of a month-long celebration of Arbor Month and Fire Prevention Month.
Upcoming activities include a fire and tree safety presentation for the Guam Department of Education Head Start Program on October 31, and FSRD’s Citizen Forester Program Mapping Day on November 1.

This year’s theme, “Green Spaces, Shared Places: Enhancing Our Forest Together,” encourages everyone to get involved and help grow a greener Guam.