2026 Mariana Islands Conservation Conference Registration Opens

Tåno Tåsi yan Todu (TTT) is pleased to announce the 2026 Mariana Islands Conservation Conference (MICC), a free, virtual conference dedicated to advancing terrestrial and marine conservation throughout the Mariana Islands.

The 2026 MICC will be held online via Zoom on March 10–12 and March 17–19, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (CHST). Registration is free and open to the public at marianasterrestrialconservation.org. Access information will be provided to registered participants prior to the event.

Established in 2017, the MICC has become a cornerstone regional gathering, bringing together more than 400 students, researchers, educators, practitioners, and community members each year from Guåhan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and beyond. The conference provides a platform for sharing research, conservation work, and indigenous knowledge through presentations, scientific posters, symposia, and workshops.

“The Mariana Islands are on the front lines of biodiversity loss and climate change, and the work happening here is both urgent and innovative,” said CJ Paulino, lead biologist for Tåno Tåsi yan Todu. “The MICC creates space for researchers, practitioners, and community members to learn from one another and strengthen collaborations that directly benefit our lands and seas.”

Abstracts Submission

The deadline to submit an abstract has passed. Interested researchers, practitioners, students, and community members conducting conservation or restoration work in the Mariana Islands remain welcome to submit abstracts for consideration on oral presentations or scientific posters at marianasterrestrialconservation.org/registration.

Abstracts are welcomed on topics including, but not limited to:

• Watershed, coral reef, forest, and mangrove restoration

• Ecosystem management

• Human interactions with the environment

• Cultural and Indigenous knowledge

• Animal ecology and natural history

• Endangered and invasive species

• Botany

• Fisheries research and management

• Deep sea ecology and conservation

• Agroecology

Accessible, Community-Focused Conservation

The MICC remains committed to being free and open to all, ensuring accessibility for students, early-career professionals, and community members across the region. The virtual format allows broader participation across islands while maintaining meaningful opportunities for engagement, learning, and collaboration.

“Our goal has always been to center the Mariana Islands and the people who care for them,” said Steven Mana’oakamai Johnson, PhD, president of the TTT Board of Directors. “By keeping the conference free and accessible, we ensure that knowledge-sharing and relationship-building remain at the heart of conservation in our region.”

Sponsorship & Donation Support

While the MICC is free to attend, it does require funding to operate. The 2026 MICC did not receive federal funding this year, making community, organizational, and individual support especially important. Organizations interested in becoming event sponsors are encouraged to contact tanotasitodu@gmail.com. Individual donations are also accepted via check or PayPal @tanotasiyantodu. For more information, visit marianasterrestrialconservation.org/sponsors.

Registration & More Information

Conference registration, updates, and abstract submission guidelines, are available at marianasterrestrialconservation.org. For more information, contact TTT at tanotasitodu@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @tanotasitodu.