About Us

The Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge is a wetland fed primarily by rainfall runoff. Established in 1989, the refuge is one of the most important freshwater habitats for migrating and resident aquatic birds in Puerto Rico.

Establecido en el 1989 Laguna Cartagena es uno de los hábitats de agua dulce más importantes para las aves nativas y migratorias en el suroeste de Puerto Rico.

Our Mission

Laguna Cartagena aims to restore and maintain this locally important wetland ecosystem for the benefit of resident and migratory birds including the protection and the recovery of endangered species and to protect and restore remnants of the subtropical dry forest.

El objetivo del Refugio es restaurar y conservar el ecosistema de humedales que es localmente importante para el beneficio de las especies en peligro de extinción y de las aves migratorias. Proteger y restaurar los remanentes del bosque seco subtropical.

Our History

Historically, almost half the birds recorded in Puerto Rico have been observed in the lagoon and adjacent hills. Visitors have a good chance of seeing a Magnificent Frigatebird, several species of herons, Smooth -billed ani and occasionally the yellow-shouldered blackbird.



In addition to the lagoon, there are uplands that include grassland, abandoned sugar cane fields, In 1996, a parcel (263 acres) of land in the Sierra Bermeja was added. These hills, geologically some of the oldest in the Caribbean, protect a native forest with many endemic plant species.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Laguna Cartagena 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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