By Else Demeulenaere
For the Pacific Daily News

Earth month is about the interconnectedness of people and nature, especially on Guam. The CHamoru people hold a deep connection to the land as i taotao tåno, and have traditional practices tied to plants and animals. However, with connections comes interferences. 

Colonization and modernization have changed the layout of the land and the rule of law. Invasive plants and animal species have further changed our landscapes.

But as resilient as its people and their values, Guam’s biodiversity persists along with the traditional knowledge of the CHamoru people.

Read the full article in the Pacific Daily News (April 13, 2021)

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Else Demeulenaere is the associate director for UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and a candidate for a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Guam. She writes a Saturday column in the Pacific Daily News appearing in the Lifestyle section. She may be reached at (671) 735-2918 or else@uog.edu.