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Si Yu'os ma'ase (Thank you) to our community members that participated in last week's activities. Get a glimpse of National Wildlife Refuge Week at Guam National Wildlife Refuge!
The launch of the Foraging Fanihi Citizen Science Project was a success! Attendees got to learn more about the importance of Fruit Bat! Fanihi, or Mariana fruit bats, feed on different plant species. Community members learned how to collect data around the island on important plant species for our fanihi, such as lemmai (seedless breadfruit), dogdog/dokdok (seeded breadfruit), and bayogu vines (Macuna vine), using iNaturalist. Anyone can do this at your favorite park or in your backyard using iNaturalist on your smart phone! Look out for more training sessions and online resources in the near future.
Further down the trail, volunteers were working with Refuge biologist and Kupu members to help remove invasive vines. Removal of the invasive vine Mikania micrantha (aka Mile-a-minute vine) is part of our limestone forest restoration and enhancement efforts at the refuge. Volunteers learned about native and invasive vines, got familiar with the Guam Tree Snail identification, and were provided gloves and other materials needed for the activity. We are so lucky to have such great community volunteers that get involved because they love Ritidian and want to help in any way they can to see habitat and wildlife thrive!
Refuge at Ritidian Photo Contest – month of October
Community members can still participate in our photo contest! Capture the moment at Ritidian and submit your photo to our Refuge at Ritidian Photo Contest. Photo contest entries must be submitted by Thursday, October 31, 2024 to ritidian@fws.gov. Photos will be judged on creativity, originality, and their connection to Ritidian’s value as a wildlife refuge, cultural heritage, and community value. Winners will receive a small prize and their photos will be featured as part of the Ritidian Nature Center exhibits. Participants may submit up to three photos (one photo per category, up to three categories). Participant submission must include contact number, photo caption, photo category, and month and year photo was taken at the Guam National Wildlife Refuge.
Photos should fall under one of these categories:
o Wild & free – photos of wildlife on land, at the beach, or in the ocean
o Time for my close-up – close-up views (macro photos) of wildlife/plant species at Ritidian
o Living heritage – Latte stone remains, pottery sherds, and other remnants of ancient CHamoru heritage
o QT with the family – showcase how you and your family/friends spend quality time (QT) at Ritidian (e.g. fishing, hiking, wading in the water, etc.)
For more information on the photo contest, email marybelle_quinata@fws.gov or call 671-355-5096.
Recreational Activities
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