Update Regulation On Picnicking At Guam NWR

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) updated regulations and other visitor activities at the Guam National Wildlife Refuge’s Ritidian Unit, which includes Ritidian Beach, Thursday, August 15.

The use of charcoal and/or plant-based materials (e.g. broken branches, leaves or palm fans) in any type of grill is prohibited effective immediately. The use of butane and propane-based burners and gas grills are still permitted for use at Ritidian.

The disposal of charcoal on the beach and day use areas poses hazards for wildlife and visitors at Ritidian. Hot charcoal dumped into the grass or still burning in public areas can ignite wildfires, which is a threat to coastal habitat and wildlife. Wildfires burn trees and shrubs which local wildlife depend on for food and protection from predators. The native wildlife on Ritidian, includes several endangered and/or threatened species, such as the haggan (Green sea turtle), fanihi (Mariana fruit bat), and the akaleha (Guam tree snail). In the past, dumped charcoal has been found in sea turtle nesting habitat at Ritidian, impacting the ability to nest successfully.

Discarded charcoal is a safety hazard to beachgoers, especially children playing on the shore. Native plants and shrubs are important for community members who collect them for medicinal and traditional cultural use through the Service’s plant collection program at Ritidian. Currently, coconut and breadfruit collection are temporarily suspended as part of recovery from Typhoon Mawar. Please help take care of native wildlife and their habitat by keeping Ritidian burn and trash free.

Ritidian’s normal operational hours for the public are Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30am to 4:00pm when the gate is locked, and closed on federal holidays and during hazardous ocean conditions. Questions or concerns can be directed to ritidian@fws.gov or call (671) 355-5096. Visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/guam.

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