Community input drives Guam’s wildlife conservation efforts at UOG meeting

A community meeting focused on the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) was held at the University of Guam (UOG), drawing significant participation and generating valuable feedback from local residents. The event, hosted by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant Natural Resources team, aimed to gather public input to shape the future of wildlife conservation on Guam.

The Guam SWAP is a critical initiative designed to identify and prioritize species of greatest conservation need. By incorporating community perspectives alongside expert scientific data, the plan will enable the acquisition of vital funding for conservation efforts through State Wildlife Grants.

“The input from our community is absolutely essential,” emphasized UOG CIS and SG’s Caley Jay Chargualaf, who leads the program. “The Guam SWAP should accurately reflect the plants and animals that our community values, those that hold ecological, economic, and cultural significance.”

Participants engaged in discussions, sharing their observations, concerns, and suggestions regarding Guam’s diverse wildlife. The event demonstrated a strong community interest in protecting Guam’s natural heritage.

Key takeaways from the meeting include:

• Strong Community Engagement:

• The meeting saw a high level of community participation, with residents providing valuable insights into local wildlife populations and their habitats.
• Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing enthusiasm for contributing to conservation efforts.

• Future Meetings Planned:

• Recognizing the importance of ongoing community involvement, organizers announced plans to hold further meetings.
• These future gatherings will focus on identifying specific species that the community is particularly interested in protecting, ensuring that the SWAP reflects local priorities.

• Importance of Local Knowledge:

• It was highlighted that local knowledge is an invaluable tool in identifying what species are important to the islands ecosystem.

The collaborative effort between the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, the Guam Department of Agriculture, and the community, highlights the importance of working together to protect Guam’s unique and precious wildlife.