I Tano yan I Tasi, Land and Sea: Ecological Literacy on the US Pacific Island of Guam

FAIN: BC-50544-10

Guam Humanities Council (Hagatna, GU 96910-5172)
Kimberlee Kihleng (Project Director: May 2010 to January 2014)

To support a broad range of public programming and resources for teachers on the historical, cultural and natural landscape of Guam in order to encourage civic engagement with significant current issues of environmental and community health on the island of Guam.

Environmental transformation throughout Guam's colonial past tainted much of the historical, cultural and natural landscape, and adversely affected community health overall. The project's goal is to encourage residents to connect with ideas and actions that are central to a participatory democracy and a sustainable future. The project will address environmental accountability, acknowledging historical and cultural resources, and ways to "grow democracy." Calling for broad public education, rigorous dialogue and civic reflection, programs will include a documentary film and discussion series, lectures by experts in the food movement, ecological literacy, and social and environmental justice; workshops for teachers, historical and cultural hikes, farm and garden tours with discussion promoting physical activity, civic engagement and ecological awareness; and a week-long "food democracy" tour with workshops, presentations and an interpretive cooking event centered on local products.