Island Conservation
Santa Cruz Island has been plagued by invasive species for decades, but conservation efforts are helping to restore the native ecosystem. The Santa Cruz Island ecosystem encountered cattle, sheep, and pigs for the first time ever when ranchers arrived in the 1800’s. Over the next century, these novel species would wreak havoc on the natural […]
Conservationists plan to restore Redonda Island by removing damaging invasive species. Redonda, a Caribbean island that is part of Antigua and Barbuda, was once a brilliant ecosystem. The island is home to a variety of plants and animals including endemic lizards. It’s also an Important Bird Area (IBA), meaning that it supports globally significant seabirds. Due […]
The IUCN WCC brings conservationists and politicians together to discuss the world’s major environmental issues. Today is the first day of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress (IUCN WCC), a 10-day conference attended by more than 8,000 delegates from over 190 countries who will be attending more than 1,300 events. […]
New Zealand’s Critically Endangered Kakapo, threatened by invasive species, sees a baby boom and high survival rate this year. A bird that can live to be 120 years old, doesn’t fly, forages at night, and charms the world never had a problem–until invasive species pushed it almost past the threshold of extinction. Now, thanks to intensive […]
Invasive species and tourism have depleted most of Easter Island’s native wildlife. Ten microscopic insects are all that are left, and they are in urgent need of protection. Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, used to be swathed in scrub forest and dotted with palm trees. But following human settlement and the introduction of invasive species, the […]
A recent study in Ecology Letters found that in Costa Rica, native vegetation attracts pest-eating birds to plantations. Pests are a pervasive and expensive problem for farmers. Invasive insects are detrimental to crop yields around the world. The Borer Beetle, originally from Africa, is an invasive pest wreaking havoc on Costa Rica plantations. The beetle is the only […]
Conservation fieldwork on explosive-ridden, ecologically and culturally rich Kaho’olawe Island is as rewarding as it is challenging. Everyone in Hawaii knows Kaho’olawe Island is littered with unexploded ordnance (a.k.a. bombs). For anybody who doesn’t know, the island was used as a bombing test site by the U.S. military from 1941-1990. But leftover ordnance is not the only problem […]
NZ resolves to protect its native species by eradicating 100% of its invasive rats, weasels, and possums by 2050. New Zealand is renowned for its striking and iconic wildlife, including the endangered Kiwi and Kakapo. Unfortunately, many of NZ’s native species must run the gauntlet of survival amidst a sea of invasive predators that have run amok across […]
A remote island off of New Zealand offers South Island Robins protection from invasive predators. South Island Robins are an iconic and beloved native species of New Zealand. Unfortunately, the quaint songbird faces threats posed by invasive predators. In an effort to protect the native bird species, conservationists relocated South Island Robins to the remote Chalky […]
A middle school educational program focused on Invasive Species and Seabirds will kick off this school year. A new Invasive Species and Seabirds curriculum has been developed for middle schools and it’s free to all educators! The curriculum was developed with an eye towards rural island communities’ middle schools, but will be of interest to […]