New Nature Center Opens on Guam
TUMON, Guam, May 7, 2007. The Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Unit, held the grand opening of its new Nature Center on Saturday, April 28, 2007. The interactive display is designed to promote the importance of conservation while showcasing Guam's indigenous flora and fauna in an appealing atmosphere that will engage visitors of all ages.
When you enter the Nature Center, the first thing you notice is the sound of birds chirping. The birdsong comes from the many representations of Guam's native birds that are located throughout center. In the center of the room is an ifit, or ironwood, one of Guam's protected and indigenous trees. There are more birds in the tree along with a Mariana fruit bat, or fanihi, which is the local Chamorro word for the flying creature. While fruit bats exist in many parts of the world, there are only a few fanihi left living in the wild on Guam.
In fact, many species of bird represented at the new Nature Center are extinct, including the Mariana Fruit Dove, the Rufuos Fantail, and the Micronesian Honey eater or Totot, Chichirika, and Egigi as they are respectively called in Guam's native language. Preserving Guam's remaining birdlife is one of the Wildlife Refuge's main purposes and hopefully the Nature Center will aid in teaching the importance of protecting indigenous species of both animal and plant life on Guam.
The Nature Center also features four 16-foot murals depicting the different types of geography found at the Wildlife Refuge and describe other features found at the Ritidian Unit location.
In addition to the Nature Center, the Guam National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of Guam's most beautiful seashores, Ritidian Beach. The Park Rangers also give regular tours through the federally protected jungle at the Refuge and the tour includes visits to two caves where the ancient Chamorros lived and have left pictographs for everyone to see and learn from.
The Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Unit and the Nature Center are open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 4 pm and admission is free. If people are interested in taking a tour of the forest and the caves, arrangements must be made in advance by calling 1 (671) 355-5096.
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