Kure Atoll is located at the northwest tip of the Hawaiian archipelago, more than 1400 miles from Honolulu. It’s the world’s northernmost coral atoll. Green Island, the atoll’s only permanent island, is Hawaii’s most significant seabird sanctuary. Seventeen bird species, numbering 100,000 birds, are found there.
This fragile atoll is threatened by several invasive plant species, particularly Verbesina. The invasive species crowd out native plants, leaving less habitat for nesting birds and decreasing chick survival. The black-footed and Laysan albatross, the Christmas shearwater, and the Tristram’s storm petrel are especially vulnerable.
The Kure Atoll Conservancy works to eradicate invasive plants and reintroduce native ones on the atoll. A Seacology grant will fund supplies for its ongoing efforts.