Our History

The Service obtained approximately 35 acres of the island from the U.S. Navy in 1969. An additional 9 acres were obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1981. The final 0.92-acre parcel, which included the historic iron lighthouse, was obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2004.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Buck Island 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.

Sunset behind mountains that overlook a marsh framed by low vegetation.
Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1989, Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife 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...
National Wildlife Refuge
Boqueron
A great frigatebird flies towards the photo. It's red throat is extended out. Behind him is another great frigatebird with its throat extended, sitting in a bush. White red-footed boobies sit in the bushes too.
Navassa Island National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1999, Navassa Island National Wildlife Refuge is an uninhabited, 5 km² island in the Caribbean Sea between Haiti and Jamaica.
National Wildlife Refuge
Boqueron
Beach shoreline with a crisp blue ocean waves
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge provides crucial nesting habitat for endangered leatherback sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles as well as for the threatened green sea turtle. Hundreds of volunteers help with the turtle recovery program.
National Wildlife Refuge
Frederiksted,VI
Caracas beach ocean view with bright blue sky and clear blue waters
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge created by Congress with lands formerly managed by the Navy in 2001 and 2003. The refuge consists of approximately 17,771 acres of land (3,100 acres on the west and 14,671 acres on the east). Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is considered one of the most...
National Wildlife Refuge
Vieques,PR