About the ProjectBrown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis; abbreviated as BTS) were accidentally introduced in Guam shortly after the end of World War II. Over the next several decades, their introduction caused an ecological disaster that led to the loss of almost all of Guam’s native forest birds. Today, only two native forest birds persist on Guam: the Mariana Swiftlet and the Micronesian Starling. There is good news! After decades of developing tools to control and suppress brown treesnakes, bird restoration efforts on Guam are finally possible!Asan Beach Park is an ideal location for snake eradication and bird restoration for a number of reasons. Why Asan Ridge?Researchers have found that brown treesnakes can be reduced in areas with constructed exclusion barriers. Because Asan Beach Park is a small triangular peninsula that extends into the ocean, it is bound on two sides by a natural sea barrier and further bound by Marine Corps Drive. This presents a great opportunity to take advantage of these natural barriers around Asan Beach, as snake reinvasion may be minimized. Removing snakes from Asan Beach and improving native habitat gives the park the chance to reintroduce native birds. Meet Our PartnersBased on the great work of the Friends of Islan Dåno group organized by Olympia Terral and Martin Kastner, the National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to invite Citizen Scientists to aid in the process of removing invasive species from Asan Beach Park.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering their support to the Asan Restore Project! Find out more about them here. U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey is one of our partners for the Asan Restore project. Find out more about them here! Get Involved - Become a Citizen Scientist!Please join us in our effort to rid Asan Beach Park of brown treesnakes! The National Park Service's Citizen Science Program encourages members of the public to help collect data for scientific research. Beginning in October of 2024, we will have several options for volunteering. This will include twice-weekly nighttime snake hunting, transect maintenance, and daytime snake trap checking. No experience required. Please email us at e-mail us to be added to our Citizen Scientist contact list! UpdatesWe are currently working to complete environmental compliance steps and will be ready for Citizen Science snake hunters starting October 2024. Over the past few months, NPS interns and our project coordinator, Allison Kelley (USGS) have been hard at work conducting baseline snake surveys. As of July 29, 2024 they have removed 30 snakes from the park!
For more information on this project, please contact us here:
Voice: (671) 333 4050
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Last updated: December 2, 2024