The Cabo Rojo Nature Wildlife Refuge, originally established in 1974 in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico, covers 1,836 acres of diverse ecosystems, including rolling hills, grasslands, mangroves, and subtropical dry forests. It was initially designated to protect migratory birds, with 587 acres acquired for this purpose, followed by the addition of 1,269 acres in 1999 to protect the Cabo Rojo Salt Flats. This refuge is home to 245 plant species and 145 bird species, including both shore and land birds. In addition, it provides an influential habitat for the Critically Endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird and serves as a stopover for migratory birds traveling between North and South America. While the refuge hosts permanent species year-round, migratory birds occupy it during the cooler months, as many species of birds often migrate south to warmer areas during these colder times. The area has faced challenges, such as overgrazing, which has replaced much of the native vegetation with plants from other regions. However, grassland management techniques, like haying, have helped restore native species of grass, and efforts to plant native trees are slowly and steadily returning the land to its original hardwood forest. The refuge also contains unique features such as pink hypersaline lagoons and mangrove forests, and is home to endemic species like the Puerto Rican red-eyed frog, as well as invasive species like boa constrictors. The area has an amazingly rich ecosystem and remains an important sanctuary for endangered species and a pivotal resource for animals and plants across the world.