Island Conservation
Islands are home to 20% of all bird, reptile, and plant species, but introduced, non-native (invasive) species threaten the biodiversity of many islands around the world. Lehua Island is no exception. The island provides important nesting habitat for native seabirds. Attempts by the ESA Threatened (IUCN Endangered) Newell’s Shearwater to establish a breeding colony on […]
Lehua Island offers sanctuary to Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and other native Hawaiian seabirds threatened by invasive predators. Hawai’i is home to a variety of precious seabirds that depend on the islands to nest and to feed. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater nests on a number of islands, including Kaua’i and Lehua Island just south of Kaua’i. On many […]
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 LEHUA RESTORATION OPERATION TO RID ISLAND OF RATS BEGINS Eradication of damaging rats aimed at protecting incredible bird, plant, and marine diversity. (HONOLULU) – Today, hope reigns for Lehua Island, as an operation commenced to […]
Lehua Island Restoration Project Community Update & FAQ 19 August 2017 The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and other Lehua Island Restoration Project partners, have a sustained commitment to transparency and effective communications with the people of Hawai’i regarding the proposed eradication of introduced, damaging (invasive) rats. DLNR Chairwoman, Suzanne Case exemplified that […]
Project leaders visit Kauai to answer questions about rat eradication plan Jessica Else – The Garden Island LIHUE — Those involved in the Lehua Island rat eradication project are meeting with members of the community one-on-one instead of holding a community meeting to answer questions. “We’re here looking for concrete communication conduits into the community,” […]
DLNR responds to concerns on Lehua rat eradication The Department of Land and Natural Resources, with project partners in the Lehua Island Restoration Project, have a sustained commitment to transparency and effective communications with the people of Hawaii regarding the proposed eradication of introduced, damaging (invasive) rats. The purpose of this project is to aid […]
Lehua Island Restoration Project aims to protect native Hawaiian seabird nesting habitat. What would happen to all the migratory birds if they didn’t have islands to rest and nest on? Islands are critically important land masses for birds that fly long distances over the open ocean. Without these safe rest stops and nesting sites, migration and […]
Island Conservation Director of Communications Heath Packard explains why the project to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i is a promising opportunity for seabird and biodiversity conservation. By: Heath Packard Lehua Island represents an important conservation opportunity, being one of the largest and most diverse seabird colonies in the main Hawaiian Islands. It has historically provided or […]
Restoration of Lehua’s terrestrial environment can benefit the island’s surrounding marine ecosystem. Research has shown that restoration of native island ecosystems is vital to the health of surrounding marine ecosystems. Lehua Island is no exception; where the water meets the shore two very different yet connected environments interact. The health of one is crucial to […]
The Lehua Island Restoration Project aims to protect Hawai’i’s native seabirds, such as the Vulnerable Hawaiian Petrel and Bulwer’s Petrel, and support island biodiversity. Islands are home to 20% of all bird, reptile, and plant species, but invasive species threaten the biodiversity of many islands around the world. Lehua Island is no exception and is […]