Midway
Journey To The Middle of the Pacific
The Midway Atoll lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and is the nesting ground of millions of seabirds, including many endangered species. Once a military base, it has been slowly transformed by many dedicated people into a world heritage site. However, the atoll faces tough battles every day: invasive plant species that damage the habitat of albatross and burrowing petrels often killing them; deadly plastic pollution, much of which ends up in the stomachs of chicks; climate change that causes ever larger and more lethal storms.
While these problems feel enormous, they are not necessarily too big to tackle and there are a number of people who have dedicated their lives to improving life on Midway for these incredible animals. We are journeying to Midway to document the many ways in which conservationists are bringing attention to problems affecting this tiny but vitally important bit of land, and how lessons learned here can be applied to other areas of the world.
Learn how biologists managed to bring back the endangered Short-Tail Albatross to nest on the atoll; meet Wisdom, a Laysan albatross who has been nesting on Midway for nearly 60 years; find out the strategies being used to eradicate invasive plant and animal species; discover the beauty of endangered Monk seals, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, corals and so much more.
Featured Stories in Midway
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Hawaiian Monk Seals Find a Haven On Midway
These Hawaiian monk seals are adorable, but they face some unusual threats including the presence of humans on their beaches.
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Midway Atoll: 24 Images From My Instagram Diary
While visiting Midway as a photojournalist for TreeHugger, my iPhone came in handy for keeping a visual diary of this incredible atoll. Here are the best images exploring everything from albatross chicks to plastics to plain old gorgeous beaches.
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From Bullets to Birds: Midway's Transformation to a World Heritage Site
Midway is part of the Papahānaumokuākea (say that three times fast) Marine National Monument, which was recently named a World Heritage Site.
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Tourists Get Their Hands Dirty, Set An Example For Ecotourism On Midway
The efforts of groups led by Oceanic Society illustrate that taking a little time to give back to an ecosystem goes a long way.
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Midway's Green Sea Turtles Dine on Jellyfish For Lunch (Photos)
Its not too often you get to see an endangered sea turtle that normally eats seagrass dine on Man o War jellyfish!
Tag: Midway
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Google Street View Lets You See the Sights of Midway Atoll
The remote atoll which is home to endangered species and historic landmarks can now be explored from your computer.
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The Week in Animal News: Cheetah-Dog Friendship, Robotic Animals from Old Computers and More
A cheetah and a yellow lab at Busch Gardens have been friends since they were little, an artist makes sweet robotic animals from e-waste and more.
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Midway Atoll Teaches 4 Valuable Lessons to Visitors
Coverage of our trip to Midway has come to a close, but leaves us with much to think about for conservation efforts worldwide.
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Is This Yours? Search Midway Atoll's Lost & Found For Your Lost Plastic Stuff
Midway is like a giant lost and found for plastic items -- so look through and see if any of these items are yours!
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Old Paint is Killing Rare Birds: Cleaning Up Toxic Lead on Midway Atoll
Decades of lead-based paint chipping off old buildings on Midway are taking a deadly toll on threatened seabirds, but efforts by USFWS will hopefully help.
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On Midway, More Plastic Washes Up With Every Wave. Literally. (Video + Pics)
How do you clean up a beach when every wave hitting the shore brings yet more plastic bits. This video shows the impossibility of the task.
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The Battle of Midway is Still Raging...Among Invasive Plant Species
Along with people came invasive species, and a massive effort to remove two of the most pervasive and deadly plant species is underway.
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Coming to Grips with Plastic Pollution, One Bird at a Time
Getting a handle on the scale of our plastic pollution problem is tough, but seeing it wrapped in the bones of a bird helps.
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Midway's Green Sea Turtles Dine on Jellyfish For Lunch (Photos)
Its not too often you get to see an endangered sea turtle that normally eats seagrass dine on Man o War jellyfish!
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The Week in Animal News: Pigeons Poop Soap, Giant Pandas Won't Have Sex and More
A crazy project wants to alter pigeons' diets to make them poop soap and clean our cities. A study on panda's sex habits shows why reproductive success is so elusive and more.
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Valuing Volunteers: Midway Atoll Relies on Free Labor
Midway Atoll is making an amazing comeback as habitat is restored and the wildlife species protected -- and volunteers are in large part to thank.
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Tourists Get Their Hands Dirty, Set An Example For Ecotourism On Midway
The efforts of groups led by Oceanic Society illustrate that taking a little time to give back to an ecosystem goes a long way.
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World's Most Adorable Endangered Duck Species Makes a Comeback on Midway
The Laysan Teal population once dipped down to just 12 individuals. Today, thanks to an incredible relocation effort, this adorable duck species is making a come-back.
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Life as an Albatross Chick on Midway, in 20 Photos
Growing up on Midway Atoll, these albatross chicks give us a look at island life that is too cute to be missed.
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The Week in Animal News: Chimps Teach Bike Safety, Fat Dogs Get a Stairlift and More
A 1952 film teaches bike safety with a wayward chimp, the growing ranks of obese pets get a free ride up the stairs and more.
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Hawaiian Monk Seals Find a Haven On Midway
These Hawaiian monk seals are adorable, but they face some unusual threats including the presence of humans on their beaches.
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Adorable Albino Albatross Chicks Born On Midway (Pictures)
This year, Midway Atoll saw three albino chicks hatched, and two are in nests less than ten feet from each other!
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Hybrid Albatross Stands Out on Midway Atoll
There are only a handful of them, and these hybrid albatross stand out among the crowd of Laysan and Black-Footed birds.
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