Island Conservation
Midway has experienced various eras of landscape alteration over the past century, but the atoll is now entering a phase of restoration. When one imagines the Hawaiian archipelago, images of gently swaying palms, verdant vegetation, cool breezes, and ocean waves come to mind. But, going up the chain of islands, this green scene begins to […]
As sentinels of the sea, Midway’s Albatross provide unique insight into the health and function of our marine ecosystems. Oceans cover more than 70% of the world’s surface area and are key to providing food for over 1 billion people and supporting the livelihoods of an additional 200 million people. Yet, our knowledge and understanding […]
Midway’s beloved birds, Laysan Albatross, are the signature wildlife of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. One of the wonders of the wide Pacific Ocean is that of a Laysan Albatross / Mōlī gliding across the waves and wind, seemingly without effort. They are made for a life at sea—and indeed, they spend the majority of […]
Invasive, carnivorous mice are threatening Midway’s albatross, but you can help! Midway Atoll is located almost perfectly in between North America and Asia, but this small spot on a map is home to the world’s largest Laysan Albatross colony. Sadly, in 2015, volunteers at Midway made a gruesome discovery—invasive, predatory mice were attacking adult and […]
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 […]
The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Island Conservation, and our partners join together to restore Midway Atoll and protect seabirds including Wisdom and her hatchling. Midway Atoll is located almost perfectly in between North America and Asia, but this small spot on a map is home to seabird colonies that need our help. The presence […]
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has released the final Environmental Assessment for the Midway Seabird Protection Project. Warning: Graphic photographs. Viewer Discretion is Advised. In 2015, volunteers at Midway Atoll made a gruesome discovery. In the midst of the largest albatross colony in the world, birds were being eaten alive by mice as they […]
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 […]
Biodiversity has far-reaching impacts on the vitality of people and the planet but what is it and what impact does it have on islands? What is biological diversity? Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the variety of life on earth–every individual organism, species, and kingdom, from the smallest spec of bacteria to the enormous whales in […]
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 […]