Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Yigo, Guam.
Guam National Wildlife Refuge spans 23,659 acres across three units: Andersen Air Force Base, Navy Overlay, and Ritidian, combining terrestrial and marine habitats. The Ritidian Unit offers nature trails, fishing areas, and swimming spots for visitors to explore.
The Navy operated a communications site here during the Cold War before donating approximately 1,200 acres to the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993. This shift from military use to protected refuge status represented a major turning point for island conservation efforts.
The Ritidian Unit is known as Puntan Litekyan in Chamorro language and preserves remnants of ancient Chamorro settlements scattered along the northern coast. Walking through this area connects visitors directly with the indigenous heritage that shaped this island long ago.
The Ritidian Unit is open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and offers straightforward accessibility. Plan for a half-day visit to fully explore the trails and enjoy the beaches without feeling rushed.
The refuge shelters the last surviving populations of Mariana fruit bats and the endangered Serianthes nelsonii tree species. It serves as a critical haven for wildlife that has vanished from most other parts of the island.
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