Over 125 community members gathered at Gab Gab Beach for a Brown Tree Snake Control Workshop and Snake Hunt, a joint effort by NAVFAC Marianas and the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant to combat one of Guam’s most destructive invasive species.

Under the theme “Learn. Spot. Protect Native Species of the Marianas,” participants learned to identify the brown tree snake, safely capture it, and understand its devastating impact on Guam’s ecosystem, including the loss of most of the island’s native bird species.

The event featured hands-on demonstrations from USDA Wildlife Services, USGS, and DOAG’s “Kontra I Kulepbla” program, showcasing tools, citizen science projects, and community response efforts.

The night concluded with a community snake hunt, where participants successfully spotted and caught several snakes despite the species’ elusive nature.

Organizers say the outreach is part of a larger mission to engage the community in protecting Guam’s biodiversity. 

A follow-up Brown Tree Snake Control Workshop and Hunt is scheduled for February 28 at Tarague Beach, Andersen Air Force Base.