OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
LEARN MORE ABOUT GCMP OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
The Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP) believes that protecting our island’s coastlines begins with people — through awareness, education, and active community engagement. Through its Outreach and Engagement Program, GCMP connects residents, organizations, and decision-makers to promote the responsible use, development, and protection of Guam’s coastal and ocean resources.
The program works to increase public awareness of the importance of sustainable coastal management and environmental stewardship. Through media campaigns, newsletters, educational publications, and social media outreach, GCMP shares information about issues like coastal erosion, marine debris, beach public access, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. These efforts help residents and visitors understand how everyday actions directly impact the health of Guam’s environment and communities.
Volunteers collect trash at Tagachang Beach park in Yona at the 2025 Guam International Coastal Cleanup.
Community involvement is at the heart of the program. Each year, GCMP leads and supports island-wide initiatives that bring people together for the coast. The Guam International Coastal Cleanup mobilizes thousands of volunteers to remove litter and restore beaches, while the Assembly of Planners Symposium unites planners, scientists, educators, and policymakers to discuss sustainable development, land use, and environmental planning. GCMP also hosts regular network meetings that strengthen collaboration between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups — ensuring coastal initiatives remain coordinated and effective.
A group photo from the 10th Assembly of Planners Symposium held on August 19th and 20th, 2025.
Education and capacity building are key parts of GCMP’s outreach strategy. The program offers training sessions, workshops, and stakeholder meetings to help community members, planners, and leaders understand best practices in coastal resource management, conservation, and policy implementation. By equipping local partners with the knowledge and tools they need, GCMP empowers the community to take informed action and contribute to long-term coastal resilience.
Partnerships play a vital role in this work. GCMP collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, from government agencies and academic institutions to grassroots organizations, to share data, align priorities, and amplify the impact of outreach initiatives. Together, these partnerships strengthen Guam’s capacity to manage coastal challenges and promote a sustainable island future.
GCMP Outreach and Engagement is about connecting people to their island, to each other, and to the shared responsibility of caring for Guam’s coast. Through education, collaboration, and community action, GCMP continues to build a culture of stewardship that keeps Guam’s shores clean, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.
Industry Publications
The Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP) aims to provide crucial information to construction companies via the Guam Contractors Association. This initiative is designed to empower these entities to proactively adopt environmentally sound practices in the design and construction of their projects. GCMP contributes quarterly one-page info ads focusing on low-impact development, which were featured in the Guam Construction News Bulletin. This consistent publication schedule ensures that relevant and timely information on sustainable building methods reaches a key audience capable of implementing immediate and impactful changes.
Construction News Bulletin
Below are some of the latest advertisements featured in the Guam Contractors Association’s Construction News Bulletin Magazine.
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Download the Guam Coastal Adventure Coloring Book
GCMP printed a coloring book that was distributed to all GDOE Elementary Schools. The activity book was created with funding from NOAA CRCP grant NA19NOS4820057. The Activity Book was written & Illustrated by Cara Lin, Guam Department of Agriculture, as part of the National Coral Reef Fellowship 2020- 2022.
Guam Fishing Laws Poster
GCMP worked with the Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources to create an updated poster for Fishing Laws on Guam. The poster is available in PDF format. Some printed copies of the poster are available by request.
The Guam Coastal Ambassador Program
A unique collaboration between the Bureau of Statistics and Plans (BSP), Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP), and the Guam Community College (GCC) Business and Visual Communications Department, designed to raise awareness and promote stewardship of Guam’s coastal resources through student-led outreach and education. At the core of the program are GCC Visual Communications student interns who use their creative and communication skills to support Guam’s coastal planning goals. Through multimedia storytelling, community engagement, and hands-on research, the program connects people to the environmental issues that shape the future of our island.
Strengthening Community Connections to the Coast
The Coastal Ambassador Program focused on key issues facing Guam’s shores, including public access, marine debris, wildfires, and the need for sustainable, nature-based solutions. Student ambassadors led public education efforts by producing compelling videos, photos, public service announcements (PSAs), and digital media campaigns that bring these topics into the public eye. The interns conducted research into relevant public laws and policies and engaged with a range of stakeholders. They interviewed government agency heads, environmental experts, and community organizations to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding coastal access and pollution prevention. These interviews and insights helped shape the themes, concepts, and storylines of the PSAs and outreach materials they created.
Place-Based Learning with Purpose
This initiative applies a place-based learning approach, allowing students to directly explore Guam’s coastal environments and engage with the communities that depend on them. From documenting shoreline conditions to highlighting efforts to reduce marine debris, student ambassadors translated their field experience into powerful educational tools that reflect Guam’s culture, challenges, and aspirations through the final deliverables they produced. The content will be posted on BSP’s website at BSP.GUAM. GOV and through upcoming promotions on GCMP and BSP social media channels.
The Guam Coastal Ambassador Program is more than an internship. It’s a leadership development opportunity—one that empowers students to become informed advocates for Guam’s environment. By combining research, media production, and civic engagement, the program demonstrates how education can play a key role in shaping sustainable communities.
The Bureau of Statistics and Plans would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Mary Okada, GCC President; Dr. Michael Chan, Dean of the School of Technology and Student Services; and Sean Lizama, Visual Communications Instructor, for their help in making the Guam Coastal Ambassador Program a success. Congratulations to the 2025 Guam Coastal Ambassadors: Sharlene Maza, Angelina Marie Tambora, Nya Rae Belga, and
About the International Coastal Cleanup
The Guam International Coastal Cleanup has become a landmark event in our island community for decades, drawing participants from local organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals who share a passion for environmental conservation and stewardship. With the support of these dedicated volunteers, we have made significant strides in keeping our oceans clean and safe for marine life.
Guam first joined the Ocean Conservancy in this worldwide effort to prevent pollution with three sites: Ylig Bay, Agat Shore, and Dungca’s Beach, with only 450 volunteers. Guam is now in its 31st year with over 25 sites and over 3,000 volunteers collecting several tons of trash from Guam’s beaches.
The Guam International Coastal Cleanup is organized and led by the Guam Coastal Management Program, with generous Site Leader Volunteers who organize and manage each of the cleanup site locations. In cooperation with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), students can earn valuable service-learning hours by participating.
The Guam International Coastal Cleanup is held on the 3rd Saturday of September every year, in line with the worldwide cleanup event. For more information on the celanup event or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Steven Dieking at steven.dierking@bsp.guam.gov or call 671-475-9647.
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Click here to visit the 2025 Guam International Coastal Cleanup Website.
TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & OUTREACH
EVENTS
Federal Consistency Compliance Training
The Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP) conducts Federal Consistency Compliance Training to strengthen understanding and coordination among local and federal agencies, as well as private sector partners.
Under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), all federal actions that may affect Guam’s coastal zone—such as federal activities, permits, and financial assistance—must be consistent with GCMP’s enforceable policies.
This training provides an overview of CZMA Federal Consistency requirements, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions led by experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Participants learn how to assess coastal effects, apply policy in decision-making, and build stronger interagency collaboration.
The program continues to serve as a valuable platform for improving coordination, increasing knowledge, and promoting responsible coastal management across Guam’s government and community partners. For more information on Federal Consistency training, please contact Esther Taitague at esther.taitague@bsp.guam.gov or call 671-475-9673.
Assembly of Planners Symposium
The Assembly of Planners Symposium, hosted by the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam Coastal Management Program, brings together Guam’s planning, policy, and resource communities to address key land use and coastal management challenges.
Working with a network of local and federal partners, the symposium fosters collaboration through discussions grounded in science, data, and research. Participants share strategies to strengthen management systems, improve policy coordination, and promote sustainable development across Guam’s coastal and inland areas.
The event serves as a vital forum for planners, stakeholders, and community leaders to exchange ideas, identify solutions, and advance comprehensive planning for a more resilient Guam.
Click here to view the 10th Assembly of Planners Symposium Page.
Backyard Buoys Community Outreach
The Southern Backyard Buoys project, led by BSP-GCMP and biologist Camille Quichocho, discussed the two Sofar Ocean Spotter buoys to be launched on Guam’s southern shores to collect data on wave height, period, direction, and sea surface temperature. This data will help improve decisions regarding marine activities and address erosion issues in southern villages. Community meetings in Malesso’ and Hågat provided feedback on buoy locations, data accessibility, and stakeholder engagement. Adjustments were made to the Hågat buoy location to avoid obstructing boat traffic. The buoys, smaller and more affordable than traditional ones, were deployed in Guam’s southern shores in collaboration with DOAG-DAWR, the Guam Police Department, and volunteers for maintenance. For more information, please contact Camille Quichocho at camille.quichocho@bsp.guam.gov or call 671-475-9664.
Guam Forest System Plan Stakeholder Meeting
The Government of Guam has taken another significant step toward protecting and managing the island’s natural resources with the development of Rules and Regulations for the Guam Forest System Plan (GFSP). This effort, mandated under the Guam Forest Legacy Act of 2012, aims to establish a comprehensive framework to conserve Guam’s forests, enhance watershed health, support biodiversity, and expand opportunities for sustainable recreation and economic growth.
On September 9, 2025, more than 40 representatives from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academia, and community groups gathered at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa for a stakeholder meeting hosted by the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP), in partnership with the Guam Department of Agriculture (DOAG). Funded through a NOAA Office for Coastal Management grant, the meeting marked a pivotal stage in the process of shaping the GFSP’s implementing rules and regulations.
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ISSUE DOWNLOADS
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Coastal Ambassador Video Project
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GET TO KNOW US
Steven Dierking
Outreach & Communications - Guam Coastal Management Program
Steven joined the Bureau of Statistics and Plans (BSP), Guam Coastal Management Program (GCMP) in February 2020. Before joining GCMP, he served in various roles in the private sector as a small business owner, digital technology contractor, and in government roles in IT, public policy, and outreach. Steven holds a B.S. in Marketing from Colorado State University (with honors). He is the outreach coordinator in charge of GCMP’s many outreach projects and publications, including the Man, Land, & Sea quarterly publication, industry publications, and numerous advertisements. As the lead coordinator of the annual Guam International Coastal Cleanup, celebrating its 31st year on Guam, Steven oversees planning, marketing, and logistical support for over 25 site leaders and over 4,000 volunteers annually. He also supports the program’s goals and objectives through the planning and coordination of various leadership forums, conducting training, supporting community coastal cleanup events, planning and support for the annual Assembly of Planners’ Symposium, developing social media campaigns, creating and producing PSAs, creating digital media campaigns, and organizing various GCMP signature outreach events. Steve is also a FAA-certified sUAS pilot, one of two BSP Drone pilots who completed the FAA Part 107 Drone Training Program and exam to assist in emergency response efforts and conduct field inspections, and aerial surveys for the agency.
steven.dierking@bsp.guam.gov. | 671-475-9647
Contact Us
- P.O. Box 2950 Hagatna, Guam 96932
- (671) 472-4201/2/3
management and staff
- Lola Leon Guerrero - Director - lolalg@bsp.guam.gov
- Matthew Santos - Dep. Director - matthew.santos@bsp.guam.gov
divisions
find us
- 513 W Marine Dr. Hagåtña, Guam 96910