P R OT EC T I N G the
M I D WAY I S L A N D S
1
T H E I S L A N D S ’ H I S TO RY
The role of the islands during World War II
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
BAT T L E O F
M I D WAY
A historical U.S. naval victory
signifying the turning point
of World War II
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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T H E M I D WAY
ISLANDS
SAND
ISLAND
Located between the United States
and Japan in the Pacific Ocean and
composed of Sand Island, Eastern
Island and Spit Island
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
EASTERN
ISLAND
SPIT
ISLAND
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PHOTOS
2
T H E I S L A N D S TO DAY
Home to a large population of birds and
several endangered species
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
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PHOTOS
A RICH
EC O SYS T E M
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
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
GIANT SEA
TURTLE
LAYSAN
DUCK
SHORT-TAILED
ALBATROSS
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
S T E WA R D S
4
U.S. FISH
& WILDLIFE
SERVICE personnel
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
2
U.S. FISH
& WILDLIFE
SERVICE volunteers
40
CONTRACTORS
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
3
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
Invasive plant species overtook the islands
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
NAVAL OPERATIONS CEASE
IN EARLY 1990S
Verbesina, a non-native, invasive
plant species quickly covers the islands
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
V E R B ES I N A
D E S T R OYS
N ES T I N G G R O U N D S
Albatross chick survival
rates plummet and overall
numbers dwindle
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PHOTOS
4
THE ISLANDS’ FUTURE
Success of Milestone ® specialty herbicide in retaking the islands
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
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
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
DOW AGROSCIENCES JOINS THE CAUSE
250 GALLONS
of MILESTONE ® SPECIALTY HERBICIDE
DONATED
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
THE ISLANDS’ FUTURE
PHOTOS
BEFORE
AFTER
Total eradication of Verbesina
expected by 2015
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
A FOCUS ON
R E S TO R AT I O N
Native and desirable plant species
being reintroduced to the islands
to restore natural habitats
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
T H A N K YO U.
®
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
P H OTO S
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
THE ISLANDS’ FUTURE
PHOTOS
P H OTO G A L L E R I ES
THE ISLANDS’
N AVA L H I S TO RY
WILDLIFE
O N M I D WAY
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
R EC L A I M I N G
THE ISLANDS
CO M M E M O R AT I N G
T H E BAT T L E
THE
I S L A N D S TO DAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
THE ISLANDS’ FUTURE
PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
The islands contain many remnants from the days as a naval base.
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
Sand Island is home to several abandoned airplane hangars.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
Some hangars are now used to house small machinery — needed to maintain the islands.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
Giant piers now house small U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service boats used for interisland travel.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
A crumbling seawall on the shores of Sand Island is desperately in need of repair.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
Many of the old buildings of Midway are crumbling — without the resources
to either fix or demolish them.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
T H E I S L A NDS ’ NAVA L HI S TO RY
Albatross now nest among abandoned Navy landing strips.
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THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
R EC LA I M I N G T HE I S L A N DS
A Verbesina plant withers after being treated with Milestone® specialty herbicide.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
R EC LA I M I N G T HE I S L A N DS
The greenhouse on Sand Island where desirable plant species used in the restoration effort are grown.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
R EC LA I M I N G T HE I S L A N DS
Native plants are grown in the islands’ greenhouse in preparation for reintroduction to the islands.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
R EC LA I M I N G T HE I S L A N DS
A pesticide storeroom houses all the islands’ herbicides,
including the donated Milestone® specialty herbicide.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
CO MME M O R AT I NG T HE BAT T L E
The islands’ inhabitants commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
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PHOTOS
CO MME M O R AT I NG T HE BAT T L E
Capt. Dan Clark of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service leads a ceremony
to commemorate the Battle of Midway.
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PHOTOS
W I LD L I F E O N M I DWAY
Midway is home to many species of seabirds. Nests cover the islands — even the piers.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
W I LD L I F E O N M I DWAY
An adult albatross (white) stands among chicks (black).
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
W I LD L I F E O N M I DWAY
Giant sea turtles sun themselves on the beaches of Midway.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
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PHOTOS
W I LD L I F E O N M I DWAY
The islands catch a lot of ocean trash — mostly from fishing vessels.
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PHOTOS
W I LD LI F E O N M I DWAY
A sea turtle swims in the islands’ crystal-clear blue waters.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
W I LD L I F E O N M I DWAY
A monk seal swims along the shoreline of Eastern Island.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
T H E IS L A N DS TO DAY
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’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS
T H E IS L A N DS TO DAY
Many of the vegetables served in the islands’ mess hall are grown in the islands’ new hydroponic garden.
THE ISLANDS’ HISTORY
THE ISLANDS TODAY
THE ISLANDS’ PROBLEM
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PHOTOS