Yap’s Berna Gorong Leads with Heart

(Yap, FSM)In the quiet taro patches of Yap and among grassroots women’s groups, Berna X. Gorong is planting more than crops—she’s sowing the seeds of leadership, resilience, and care for Micronesia’s natural heritage.

Goring Berna, 58, from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), has worked with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for over a decade. As the Capacity Building Manager for the Micronesia and Polynesia Program, her mission is simple but powerful: to support community-led planning and mentor the next generation of conservation leaders.

Her journey into environmental work didn’t begin in a classroom or a boardroom, but at home in Yap. A computer information science graduate who once ran a family business offering tech services, Berna’s path shifted when her village joined with a neighboring village, which resulted in the Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area in 2008.

Her husband was appointed by the community to lead the project. Berna stepped up behind the scenes, managing grants and participating in training sessions to help her community protect its marine resources. It was through these workshops—many organized by TNC—that Berna experienced the importance of local voices in conservation.

“I was very appreciative of the facilitation process,” she said. “It was fully participatory, allowing meaningful participation of local stakeholders and decision-makers.”

Inspired by this grassroots approach, Berna eventually joined TNC, where she now guides women’s groups and civil society organizations, helping them grow stronger and more confident in leading conservation initiatives.

One moment that stands out in her career is organizing the first women’s learning exchange on climate change adaptation in Yap. “Being in the presence of strong, knowledgeable Yapese women was incredibly moving,” Berna said. “We laughed, shared, and lifted each other up. Their stories reminded me of the deep resilience in our communities.”

Outside of work, Berna enjoys her garden and taro fields and staying connected with her children and relatives abroad. She finds joy in the simple things—breathing in clean island air and tending to the land that grounds her purpose.

For Berna, conservation is not only about protecting nature—it’s about upholding tradition, strengthening communities, and mentoring future stewards of the islands.

“I want to help prepare Micronesians to take on the many roles needed to care for our environment,” she said. “Because this is about more than land or sea—it’s about who we are and what we pass on.”  By: L.N. Reklai