PROTECTING the MIDWAY ISLANDS

PROTECTING the MIDWAY ISLANDS

1 THE ISLANDS HISTORY The role of the islands during World War II THE ISLANDS HISTORY

BATTLE OF MIDWAY A historical U.S. naval victory signifying the turning point of World War II

THE MIDWAY ISLANDS Located between the United States and Japan in the Pacific Ocean and composed of Sand Island, Eastern Island and Spit Island SAND ISLAND SPIT ISLAND EASTERN ISLAND

2 THE ISLANDS TODAY Home to a large population of birds and several endangered species THE ISLANDS TODAY

A RICH ECOSYSTEM Endangered species like the monk seal, giant sea turtle, Laysan duck and short-tailed albatross and the world s largest population of Laysan albatross MONK SEAL GIANT SEA TURTLE LAYSAN DUCK SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS

STEWARDS 4 U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE personnel 2 U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE volunteers 40 CONTRACTORS

3 THE ISLANDS PROBLEM Invasive plant species overtook the islands THE ISLANDS PROBLEM

NAVAL OPERATIONS CEASE IN EARLY 1990S Verbesina, a non-native, invasive plant species quickly covers the islands

VERBESINA DESTROYS NESTING GROUNDS Albatross chick survival rates plummet and overall numbers dwindle

4 THE ISLANDS FUTURE Success of Milestone specialty herbicide in retaking the islands THE ISLANDS FUTURE

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AWARDED A GRANT FOR MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION TO RID THE MIDWAY ISLANDS of VERBESINA

DOW AGROSCIENCES JOINS THE CAUSE 250 GALLONS of MILESTONE SPECIALTY HERBICIDE DONATED

BEFORE AFTER Total eradication of Verbesina expected by 2015

A FOCUS ON RESTORATION Native and desirable plant species being reintroduced to the islands to restore natural habitats

THANK YOU. Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ( Dow ) or an affiliated company of Dow When treating areas in and around roadside or utility rights-of-way that are or will be grazed, hayed or planted to forage, important label precautions apply regarding harvesting hay from treated sites, using manure from animals grazing on treated areas or rotating the treated area to sensitive crops. See the product label for details. State restrictions on the sale and use of Milestone apply. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions. 2014 Dow AgroSciences LLC

PHOTOS PHOTOS

PHOTO GALLERIES PHOTOS

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY The islands contain many remnants from the days as a naval base.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY Sand Island is home to several abandoned airplane hangars.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY Some hangars are now used to house small machinery needed to maintain the islands.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY Giant piers now house small U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service boats used for interisland travel.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY A crumbling seawall on the shores of Sand Island is desperately in need of repair.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY Many of the old buildings of Midway are crumbling without the resources to either fix or demolish them.

THE ISLANDS NAVAL HISTORY Albatross now nest among abandoned Navy landing strips.

RECLAIMING THE ISLANDS A Verbesina plant withers after being treated with Milestone specialty herbicide.

RECLAIMING THE ISLANDS The greenhouse on Sand Island where desirable plant species used in the restoration effort are grown.

RECLAIMING THE ISLANDS Native plants are grown in the islands greenhouse in preparation for reintroduction to the islands.

RECLAIMING THE ISLANDS A pesticide storeroom houses all the islands herbicides, including the donated Milestone specialty herbicide.

COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE The islands inhabitants commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE Capt. Dan Clark of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service leads a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Midway.

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY Midway is home to many species of seabirds. Nests cover the islands even the piers.

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY An adult albatross (white) stands among chicks (black).

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY Giant sea turtles sun themselves on the beaches of Midway.

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY The islands catch a lot of ocean trash mostly from fishing vessels.

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY A sea turtle swims in the islands crystal-clear blue waters.

WILDLIFE ON MIDWAY A monk seal swims along the shoreline of Eastern Island.

THE ISLANDS TODAY A solar-powered freezer is where most of the meat on the islands is stored. Midway only receives two barges of supplies per year.

THE ISLANDS TODAY Many of the vegetables served in the islands mess hall are grown in the islands new hydroponic garden.