Island Conservation
Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has survived more than six decades of trials and tribulations, but Midway Atoll’s mouse problem is a new threat. By: Kim Steutermann Rogers When the world’s oldest known wild bird, Wisdom, comes soaring in from a multi-week foraging trip to the North Pacific and drops her spatula-size feet onto the […]
Officials have proposed that the Hawaiian Goose be downlisted from Endangered to Threatened. The Nene, Hawai’i’s official state bird also known as the Hawaiian Goose, has recently received some good news. Due to a growing population, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed downlisting the status of the Hawaiian Goose from Endangered to Threatened […]
Extinction loomed for the Endangered Antipodes Island Wandering Albatross, but luckily conservationists have taken action. The Endangered Antipodes Island Wandering Albatross will be functionally extinct (meaning that mating pair numbers will be so low there is no chance of their species survival) in the next 20 years if the population continues to decline. This rare […]
Volunteers and conservationists join together in a restoration effort to secure a vibrant future for the island and native species. Since bombing stopped on Kaho’olawe more than 20 years ago, 9 million pounds of ordnance have been cleared from the island in the process of reviving and restoring the island. Although the island has been […]
Conservation success stories reveal just how much of a difference we can make and offers hope for continued success. Learn about just a few of the incredible success stories that Island Conservation, our partners, and conservationists around the world have accomplished. “It’s too difficult!” “It’s too complex!” “It’s too expensive!” We don’t think so. For […]
In 2011, Island Conservation, USFWS, and TNC removed invasive rats from Palmyra Atoll to protect native species. Now researchers have found that disease-carrying mosquitoes have disappeared. By: Rob Margetta Palmyra Atoll is a tiny speck in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,000 miles south of Hawai’i and less than 3 square miles in area. Its only […]
Australia is known for its unique ecosystems that support an array of wildlife. However, over 1,800 plant, animal, and ecological communities in the region face extinction right now. Two years ago, the Bramble Cay Melomys was the first mammal to go extinct as a direct result of climate change. Perhaps this extinction could have been […]
Invasive species damage ecosystems, economies, agriculture, and human health. You can apply these simple recommendations to help stop the dispersal of invasive species. 1. Care for your pets Many invasive species have been traced back to releases of pets into the wild. Only adopt a pet if you are confident you can take care of […]
A number of biologists have recently made the argument that extinction is part of evolution and that saving species need not be a conservation priority. But this revisionist thinking shows a lack of understanding of evolution and an ignorance of the natural world. By: Carl Safina A few years ago, I helped lead a ship-based expedition along […]
Seychelles Cousin Island has been an important nature reserve for 50 years and has helped save an endemic warbler from extinction. Seychelles Cousin Island is celebrating its 50th year anniversary since its designation as a nature reserve. Cousin Island is a small granitic island lying a little over a mile west of Praslin, which is […]