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Partnerships

Ritidian PointWorking with current partners such as the Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (GDAWR), U.S. Geological Survey’s Biological Resources Division, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Park Service, to restore habitats, improve environmental education and interpretive opportunities and volunteer program, and recover endangered species populations.
 

The Haggan Watch Program is a partnership with GDAWR to have trained volunteers walking the beaches of Guam looking for signs of sea turtle nests and crawls on a regular schedule. Little is currently known about turtle nesting behavior on Guam and this program is designed to give biologists a better understanding of when nesting turtles are on-island, while at the same time increasing public awareness of the status of these threatened and endangered animals. In addition to discussing sea turtle nest and crawl identification tools, volunteers are given information about the current threats to the sea turtle populations, including illegal poaching. Haggan is considered a delicacy by many on Guam, and was traditionally served at weddings and other large family gatherings and celebrations. Haggan Watch Program volunteers continue to monitor Guam's beaches, including those on the Refuge. Since the program began, several nest sites (both on and off the Refuge) have been discovered which would have likely been unknown without the efforts of the dedicated volunteers. 
Last Updated: Sep 30, 2013
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