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Court of Honor and Flag Circle  •  Carillon Belltower  •  Wetland Mangroves Forested Sanctuary  •  WWII Virtual Museum
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Wetland Mangrove Forest Tour

Entering the protected forest area.
Grassy clearing at forest entrance.
Pugua-Machena Fern
Swamp Fern.

Rat & snake trap.
This trap captures rats and Brown Tree Snakes which threaten endangered bird species.

Pine & fern forest.
Ironwood trees and ferns.

Another view of pines & ferns.
Peaceful rest area covered with pines and ferns.

Large fern, pandanus, & people.
Ferns line the trails.

An old bouy, from a forgotten typhoon.
A World War II bouy, driven inland by a past typhoon.

Bird's Nest Fern.
Bird's Nest Fern.
WW II Japanese bunker, entrance.
World War II Japanese Bunker.

Inside the bunker.
Inside the bunker.

WW II bullet from bunker.
World War II bullets found inside.

The Mangrove Forest.
The Mangrove forest.

Mangrove Forest.
The dense canopy of Mangrove trees.

Mangrove seed.
Growth begins with an 8 to 10-inch Mangrove seed.

Sprouted Mangrove seeds.
These Mangrove seeds have just begun to grow.

Yearling Mangroves.
The tall, mature Mangrove trees absorb most of the sunlight, allowing only a fraction to reach the younger trees below.

Mangrove leaves form a canopy.
Overhead canopy of Mangrove leaves.

Sturdy root system at base of Mangrove tree.
Mangrove trees have a sturdy root system for support in the soft muddy ground where it grows.

Mangrove
Mangrove "knees" grow above the water and mud, so the root system can "breathe".

The outdoor classroom.
Outdoor classroom where students can learn about wetlands.

Live-baited snake trap.
A live white mouse serves as bait for Brown Tree Snakes.

Original Author: 
Bill Bezzant
Volunteer
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Email: bill.bezzant@saipan.com