In the 1700s, fur trappers introduced foxes to the Aleutian Islands; by 1967, 790 cackling geese remained, but by 2022, about 215,000 were estimated

Aleutian cackling geese nested on islands with few predators until foxes were released there. (AI-generated/ChatGPT)

A small brown goose with a white neck ring nearly vanished from the Pacific, and the world is pointing the finger at the fox. Researchers at Humboldt State University said in a Wildfowl review that Aleutian cackling geese were feared extinct until a small group was found on Buldir Island in 1962. The same review … Read more

In the 1700s, fur trappers introduced foxes to the Aleutian Islands; by 1967, 790 cackling geese remained, but by 2022, about 215,000 were estimated

Aleutian cackling geese nested on islands with few predators until foxes were released there. (AI-generated/ChatGPT)

A small brown goose with a white neck ring nearly vanished from the Pacific, and the world is pointing the finger at the fox. Researchers at Humboldt State University said in a Wildfowl review that Aleutian cackling geese were feared extinct until a small group was found on Buldir Island in 1962. The same review … Read more

In 1903, rabbits devastated Laysan Island’s habitat, leaving just 7 adult ducks; in 2026, Midway counted a record 1,239 Laysan ducks

A record 1,239 adult Laysan ducks were counted at Midway Atoll in 2026, about 400 more than any previous annual total. The increase marks a major recovery at the refuge, but the endangered species remains vulnerable to habitat loss, rising seas, flooding and environmental disasters. (Wikimedia Commons)

A Hawaiian bird species has made a notable recovery in numbers at a location far from its native island. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicestaff and volunteers counted 1,239 adult Laysan ducks at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in 2026, setting a record for the refuge. The total was about 400 birds higher … Read more

Engineers dredged 500,000 cubic yards of sand from the Mississippi River and used it to build seven islands; six years later, the $25 million McGregor Lake project has restored 270 acres of aquatic habitat and protected 22 acres of wetlands

Engineers dredged 500,000 cubic yards of sand from the Mississippi River and used it to build seven islands; six years later, the $25 million McGregor Lake project has restored 270 acres of aquatic habitat and protected 22 acres of wetlands

For years, sand dredged from the Mississippi River was removed to keep one of America’s most important waterways navigable. At one restoration site, engineers found another use for that material, building islands. The US Army Corps of Engineers has completed a $25 million habitat restoration project at McGregor Lake in Wisconsin, where about 500,000 cubic … Read more

In 1999, just 15 island foxes remained on each of two California islands; captive breeding and ecosystem restoration pulled the species back from extinction

In 1999, just 15 island foxes remained on each of two California islands; captive breeding and ecosystem restoration pulled the species back from extinction

In 1999, conservation biologists monitoring California’s northern Channel Islands faced a serious crisis. Only 15 island foxes remained on San Miguel Island and another 15 on nearby Santa Rosa Island, leaving the small native species close to extinction. An emergency recovery program launched by Channel Islands National Park and partner organisations helped save the animals. … Read more

In 2017, Dubuque turned recycled plastic equal to about 67,000 water bottles into 14 floating islands; the 2,674-sq-ft system now adds plant, fish and bird habitat to Bee Branch Creek

In 2017, Dubuque turned recycled plastic equal to about 67,000 water bottles into 14 floating islands; the 2,674-sq-ft system now adds plant, fish and bird habitat to Bee Branch Creek

There are 14 islands totaling 2,674 square feet. Each island is a miniature replica of the natural archipelagos of the Mississippi River. Before the islands were placed in the creek, four prototype designs in a variety of shapes and sizes were developed. Sometimes the answer for a city that has fought floodwaters for years isn’t … Read more

Houthis seize 2 strategic Red Sea islands, and other Mideast developments

Houthis seize 2 strategic Red Sea islands, and other Mideast developments

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have seized the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea, bolstering the Iran-backed rebels’ ability to control a key maritime shipping route. Houthis seize 2 strategic Red Sea islands, and other Mideast developments Meanwhile, repairs to a crucial Saudi Arabian oil pipeline that was struck in an … Read more

Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands have been a national lakeshore since 1970; a new proposal would turn the 21-island chain into a national park without changing federal ownership

Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands have been a national lakeshore since 1970; a new proposal would turn the 21-island chain into a national park without changing federal ownership

Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands Representative image by Canva On the southern shore of Lake Superior, a scattered archipelago of 21 islands rises from the cold, clear water, crowned with pine forests, sandstone cliffs and historic lighthouses. Since 1970, these Apostle Islands have been protected as a national lakeshore, managed by the National Park Service to balance … Read more

In 1807, pigs were released on New Zealand’s Auckland Islands as food for castaways; 192 years later, 17 were rescued before the feral population was eradicated

In 1807, pigs were released on New Zealand's Auckland Islands as food for castaways; 192 years later, 17 were rescued before the feral population was eradicated

On a remote, windswept archipelago far south of New Zealand, a small herd of pigs lived out more than two centuries as one of the world’s most isolated feral populations. Their ancestors were left on the Auckland Islands in 1807, released by sailors as a living food store for any shipwrecked castaways who might one … Read more

Hurricane warning issued for westernmost Hawaiian islands

Hurricane warning issued for westernmost Hawaiian islands

A hurricane warning was issued Monday for the westernmost Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niihau as Category 3 Hurricane Lowell approached the US Pacific island chain, the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane warning issued for westernmost Hawaiian islands The core of Lowell was expected to pass just west of Niihau on Monday night or early … Read more