On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Water & Environmental Research Institute (WERI) took part in the annual Northern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District – Educators Symposium held at The Guam Museum. Dr. Nathan Habana, WERI hydrologist, along with WERI research assistants, led an engaging presentation for educators and teaching professionals from the island’s schools.
Dr. Habana opened his session by taking attendees through a foundational overview of the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer (NGLA)—Guam’s primary source of fresh water. He guided the audience from aquifer basics to coastal aquifer dynamics and ultimately into the unique characteristics of carbonate island karst systems that define Guam’s northern geology.
Following the aquifer basics, Dr. Habana introduced educators to the official online version of the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer map. While physical copies of the map have become limited, he reassured attendees that the interactive online version, WERI WebMApps is publicly accessible on the Guam Hydrologic Survey website, offering a practical and affordable tool for use in the classroom. Habana also demonstrated the interactive capabilities of the interface and tools available to use the map.
Dr. Habana also showcased MAppFx, another set of interactive, web-based maps developed for educational and interagency use. These tools include embedded graphs and data layers, allowing users—including students and teachers—to explore water-related data in a modern computer based platform. He emphasized how these features can support science education and environmental awareness in local curricula.
To conclude the session, Dr. Habana demonstrated the Nitrates MAppFx, which visualizes nitrate levels in drinking water across the island. He explained the public health importance of this data and how educators can use it to teach students about water quality, contamination risks, and the science behind monitoring drinking water safety.
WERI’s presence at the symposium—alongside the Northern Guam Soil and Water Conservation District—underscored their shared commitment to education and community engagement. By providing accessible tools like WebMApp and MAppFx, Dr. Habana and the WERI Hydrolab RAs continue to bridge scientific research with classroom learning.
