About Us

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1977 to protect the endangered St. Croix ground lizard. The refuge consists of the entire 14-acre island of Green Cay. The refuge extends only to sea level and does not include any of the submerged marine habitat, including coral reefs that surround the island.

Our Mission

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge’s establishing purpose was to conserve fish or wildlife that are listed as threatened or endangered species.

Our History

Outcrops of lava, tuffs and breccias are prominent terrestrial geological features of Green Cay. Pre-historic archaeological conch shell middens (discarded conch shells) once occurred on the shoreline. Estimated to contain as many as 33,000 shells, these middens demonstrated 1,000 years of human use or occupancy, dating back to as early as 1020 AD.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge is one of many refuges that make up the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Each refuge in the complex plays vital role to conserving our unique, endemic species and resources in the Caribbean.

A lighthouse at the top of a hill overlooking a body of water
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Beach shoreline with a crisp blue ocean waves
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A great frigatebird flies towards the photo. It's red throat is extended out. Behind him is another great frigatebird with its throat extended, sitting in a bush. White red-footed boobies sit in the bushes too.
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Caracas beach ocean view with bright blue sky and clear blue waters
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