Joint Region Marianas and University of Guam Launch Campaign to Defend Native Wildlife
ASAN, Guam (Sept. 17, 2026) - Joint Region Marianas and the University of Guam have partnered to launch the"Båsta BTS"campaign\, a community-driven initiative aimed at controlling the invasive brown treesnake\, or Boiga irregularis, and preventing its spread.
Båsta means, “to put a stop to,” in CHamoru. The goal of the campaign is to stop or prevent the expansion of BTS to neighboring islands.
With the tag line, “Learn. Spot. Protect Native Species of the Marianas,” the campaign utilizes agency partnerships, educational materials, and hands-on workshops, to empower the military community to identify, report, and prevent the spread of invasive species such as the BTS.
The campaign has already produced two successful BTS Control Workshops with nearly 200 participants of all ages.
“Preventing the dispersal of the BTS via military transport remains a paramount priority for JRM," said Leanne Obra, JRM natural resource specialist. "Through these workshops, we are empowering residents to actively manage and protect our natural resources. It is vital that we halt the spread of invasive species, because if the BTS were to reach neighboring Pacific islands, it would pose a catastrophic threat to both their environment and their economy.”
Each year, the federal government invests more than $7 million in two vital areas: BTS interdiction to prevent the accidental transport of snakes off Guam, and environmental conservation to control the local snake population and restore native habitats. Educating military families on these biosecurity measures is key to keeping nearby islands like Saipan, Tinian, and Rota safe, protecting these sensitive areas and securing the training grounds essential to regional defense.
To get everyone involved, the "Båsta BTS" campaign hosts interactive, family-friendly BTS Control Workshops and Snake Hunts annually. Participants learn about different snake control tools, how to identify BTS in a forest canopy at night, and how to safely handle, capture, and humanely dispatch a snake.
"The loss of our native wildlife to the brown treesnake creates a ripple effect that destabilizes Guam’s entire ecosystem,"explained Tayah Hawley, UOG extension associate."Outreach is our bridge to the public. When we actively engage the community and promote awareness, we build the essential local support required to protect our endangered species and combat this invasive predator."
Annual Workshops are made possible through collaboration with multiple agencies and organizations, each providing unique demonstrations, expertise, and educational activities. Contributing agencies include the Colorado State University Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, University of Guam, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Guam Department of Agriculture – Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, and the National Parks Service.
The most recent snake hunt was conducted Aug. 28 at Asan Beach Park and the next BTS Control Workshop and snake hunt is scheduled for October 17.
For more information or to get involved with the "Båsta BTS" campaign, please email btsoutreach.cesu@gmail.com.
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