Great Sitkin Island, USA

Our work on Great Sitkin, an Aleutian volcano, is just beginning. This year, our team trekked through miles of rugged terrain to monitor the population of Bald Eagles to prepare for future conservation action. Julie Sullivan took this photo of sunlight shafting through the clouds to illuminate the landscape, echoing the hope we feel for this beautiful place! Read about the project here.  

Bikar Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

One of Island Conservation’s proudest wins this year comes from Bikar Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The team returned this year to assess the results from our work there back in 2024, and the results were astonishing. This photo by Shaun Wolfe shows Project Manager Paul Jacques in front of an enormous, swarming flock of birds that dwarfs last year’s population. Read more about Bikar’s marvelous recovery here! 

Nadikdik Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Paul was also hard at work on Nadikdik Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, where Island Conservaiton has been active for many years. The rare corals in the surrounding waters stand to reap massive benefits from our work there, including increased resilience to climate change and boosted growth rates. Read Paul’s account of how his work on Nadikdik proves the importance of coral atoll restoration here! 

Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile

In the Juan Fernández Islands, Chile, we’re championing the recovery of endangered species and unique habitats in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. José Luis Cabello, our Head of Operations in Latin America, snapped this photo of Isla Robinson Crusoe’s dramatic landscape—which is now home to thousands of new native plants! Read about the project that resulted in this astonishing recovery here. 

Fakaofo Atoll, Tokelau

In Tokelau, we proudly partnered with local communities to restore island ecosystems and protect seabirds that call these shores home. Paul photographed one such bird, the Pacific Golden Plover, relaxing in the island sun. These little birds are remarkable for their unbelievably long migration, from nesting grounds in the Arctic to tropical wintering spots like Tokelau. Read about Tokelau’s climate leadership here! 

Fenualoa Island, Solomon Islands

This juvenile Coconut Crab, photographed by Paul on Fenualoa, is one of the many species that benefits from our work. Vulnerable to predation from invasive species, Coconut Crabs are ecosystem engineers that play a vital role in their environments, recycling nutrients and dispersing seeds. Humans also rely on them as a reliable source of food. Read about the power of the Coconut Crab here.  

Chincha Norte Island, Peru

This year, Chincha Norte Island in Peru joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge! José Luis Cabello took this photo of just a few of the island’s famous inhabitants: millions of seabirds. The guano these birds leave behind is extremely valuable, supporting both human use in fertilizer and the surrounding marine environment as nutrients wash into the sea. Read more about Chincha Norte and the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge here! 

Ulong Island, Palau

Another major milestone this year is the holistic restoration of Ulong Island in Palau. Rigorous monitoring both above and below the waves revealed a vibrant ecosystem with thriving bird populations and revitalized nutrient flows that strengthen the surrounding reefs. Nathaniel Hanna Holloway, from the Sandin Lab at our partner Scripps Institute of Oceanography, took this stunning photo of coral off Ulong’s coast. Known worldwide as one of the best SCUBA diving destinations, Ulong’s restored ecosystem now supports both its rich cultural heritage and its spectacular marine habitats. And, we know it’s not a photo, but we had to include this trail cam GIF of an endangered Ground Dove safely exploring the forest floor! Read more about Ulong here. 

Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile

It’s been a big year for Island Conservation, but some of our favorite things are still very small! The Juan Fernández Firecrown, which is critically endangered, is a stunning beauty of red and green. José Luis Cabello photographed this endemic hummingbird on Robinson Crusoe Island, where we’re working to restore its native habitat. Learn more about life on Robinson Crusoe from filmmaker Cece King here! 

At Island Conservation, we’re proud to put everything we’ve got into real, boots-on-the-ground field work. With 81% of our annual budget directed to projects, we’re able to equip our hard-working conservation team with the tools they need to deliver meaningful, lasting change. Each one of these images reflects real conservation in action by our team, partners, and local community members. Support their efforts and help create the next success story by making a donation and joining our newsletter today!