Island Conservation
Midway’s native plant and animal diversity have thrived for decades even in the face of human impacts, but now invasive mice are threatening the delicate balance. Mention of Midway Atoll brings to mind myriads of birds. But, there’s more to Midway. Known as Pihemanu (“loud din of birds” in Hawaiian), Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge […]
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is biologically, culturally, and historically significant but the atoll is in need of restoration. Since the start of gristly invasive mouse attacks on albatross out on Midway Atoll, this small set of islands—tucked at the far end of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands—has entered the spotlight again. Many connote Midway with […]
As 2018 comes to an end, here are just few of the top stories and accomplishments Island Conservation, our supporters, partners, and friends were talking about this year. January – Albatross at Risk Invasive mice are a dangerous threat to Midway’s native seabirds—devouring eggs, chicks, and even adults. To protect the world’s oldest wild bird […]
Midway Atoll is a vital seabird conservation area where millions of birds go to breed and nest every year. Luckily, dedicated conservationists at the Friends of Midway Atoll work to preserve, protect, and restore the islands. Midway Atoll is an isolated spot of land located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago. Due […]
Conservationists around the world are celebrating as V106 is the first of 46 translocated Laysan Albatross chicks to return to the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. By: Lindsay Young She may not have a name, but her number is significant – V106. She is the first of 46 chicks that were translocated from Kauai to […]
Island birds are at risk, but they are also resilient. Conservation can help prevent their extinction. Brad Keitt, formerly with Island Conservation and now the Oceans and Islands Program Director at the American Bird Conservancy, explains that in the face of extinction, conservation provides hope for seabirds and native species on islands around the world. […]
A project to remove invasive rats from Midway Atoll in 1995 left the island to flourish, but invasive mice continue to threaten native seabirds. By: Aaron Ochoa Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial is a place of immense ongoing conservation and restoration work. Millions of seabirds depend on the atoll as […]
Kristy Lapenta, a Kupu AmeriCorps intern doing education and outreach for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Marine National Monuments of the Pacific, shares her experiences from a month spent on Midway Atoll. By: Kristy Lapenta In June 2017, I was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for work. This was […]
André Raine, Project Manager for the Kauai Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP), recalls the once-alarming ecological condition of Lehua Islet and reports on the promising signs of change post-restoration. By: André Raine I clearly remember my first trip to Lehua. Back in 2011 I went to the islet for a four-day seabird monitoring trip, and […]
Hawai’i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources documentary highlights the efforts to restore Lehua Island to a seabird safe haven. Transcription: Narrator: Unless you know better, you might not guess Lehua Island is in Hawai’i. It’s a stunning island, rising more than 700 feet out of the sea. It has fascinating geology; vertical cliffs, an […]