You are here
News & Announcements » UOG and NAVFAC host brown tree snake workshop and hunt to curb invasive species population

UOG and NAVFAC host brown tree snake workshop and hunt to curb invasive species population

UOG and NAVFAC host brown tree snake workshop and hunt to curb invasive species population

UOG and NAVFAC host brown tree snake workshop and hunt to curb invasive species population


11/13/2025
Night hunt for snakes
Along with the workshop held in the daytime, interested participants were welcomed to join in a snake hunt.  The nocturnal creatures have been credited with the downfall of 13 of the 21 native bird species on the island.
Holding a snake by its tail
Partners from various federal and local agencies joined with NAVFAC and UOG to host this workshop which saw over 100 people engage in various activities aimed at growing the awareness of the invasive brown tree snake and it’s negative impacts on the environment and wildlife on Guam.
Little girl touching a brown tree snake
Participants in the UOG CIS and Sea Grant and NAVFAC Brown Tree Snake workshop learned about the need and importance of the prevention of the spread of the BTS to other islands in the Marianas and beyond.  They got to see and touch the invasive species and learn about the impact they have had on Guam’s ecosystems.
❮
❯

Over 125 community members gathered at Gab Gab Beach for a critical Brown Tree Snake (BTS) Control Workshop and Snake Hunt, a collaborative effort organized by NAVFAC Marianas and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant).

 

The event, coordinated in conjunction with the UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s Island Conservation Lab under the tagline "Learn. Spot. Protect Native Species of the Marianas!", was designed to raise urgent awareness about preventing the dispersal of the invasive brown tree snake, or Boiga irregularis, from Guam, which poses a serious economic and environmental threat to the CNMI and other islands in the region. Preventing this spread via military and air cargo is a top priority for Joint Region Marianas.

Participants, families, and volunteers alike engaged in live demonstrations of various snake control tools, learned how to identify the highly cryptic BTS in a forest canopy, and practiced how to safely capture and humanely dispatch the snakes.

"Suppressing the brown tree snake on Guam is not just an ecological necessity, it is a culturally imperative,” said UOG CIS & Sea Grant associate director for natural resources Else Demeulenaere, Ph.D. “Every species we protect is part of our island’s identity, our stories, and our future. Restoring balance means safeguarding the biodiversity that sustains our people, our heritage, and the resilience of our land."

In addition to BTS, the workshop broadened its focus to include other invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and feral ungulates, with various partner agencies providing expertise:

• USDA-WS showcased control tools and brought live snakes for participants to handle.
• USGS/NPS shared details on its citizen science program for BTS removal and led groups on the subsequent night hunt.
• DOAG-DAWR highlighted Guam's community response, "Kontra I Kulepbla."

Other partner agencies included Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The workshop culminated in an evening Snake Hunt that drew over 85 enthusiastic participants eager to put their new spotting skills to the test.

Despite the snake’s "cryptic nature and agile climbing skills," participants successfully spotted four snakes and managed to catch three of them.

Leanne Obra, an event organizer with NAVFAC Marianas, expressed her surprise and gratitude over the high engagement.

"I was surprised by the large number of people that showed up for the Snake Hunt and I'm grateful that we caught some snakes," said Obra. "We weren’t expecting such a turn-out. I was also amazed by our Partners going above and beyond. Their commitment to making this event a success truly made a difference and created a fantastic experience for everyone involved."

This outreach initiative aims to promote citizen natural resource management, recognizing that the BTS has contributed to the extinction or extirpation of 13 of Guam’s 21 native birds and 13 native reptile species, causing cascading ecological effects across the island. The organizers emphasized that community engagement is crucial in fostering support for these conservation efforts.

Community members interested in continuing the fight against invasive species have an upcoming opportunity:

• NAVFAC Marianas and UOG CIS and Sea Grant will host another BTS Control Workshop and Snake Hunt at Tarague Beach, Andersen Air Force Base, on Saturday, February 28.

Organizers remind the public that if a snake is spotted, the immediate goal is to immobilize and humanely dispatch it, maintaining visual contact while proceeding with caution, as the BTS is mildly toxic.