Lehua Island: A Potential High-elevation Sanctuary

Restoration of Lehua Island could result in alternative habitat for seabirds whose nesting sites are threatened by sea level rise.

Lehua Island. Credit: Island Conservation

Islands are sentinels for sea level change. Because of their small size and often remote locations, the consequences of sea level rise manifest quickly on islands. Because the stakes are so high and the consequences of sea level rise so great on small land masses, many island nations have become leaders and activists in conservation and climate change issues. Islanders, who understand the danger of climate change perhaps better than anyone else, are forging the way in protecting the globe.Though these issues are particularly urgent on islands, their consequences are worldwide. Island Conservation and our partners are working to restore Lehua Island, a high-elevation island, so that it may serve as a haven for species that may lose their sandy atoll homes to climate change.

Featured photo: Lehua Island, Hawai’i. Credit: Island Conservation

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Island Conservation prevents extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. To date, we have successfully restored 60 islands worldwide, benefiting 1090 populations of 399 species and subspecies. Working together with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations, we select islands that have the greatest potential for preventing the extinction of globally threatened species.