Broadening protections already provided by seven Pacific Island national wildlife refuges, three marine national monuments created by President Bush on January 6 join Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in conserving some of the most pristine areas of the Pacific Ocean. Under the President's plan, 195,274 square miles will be protected, affording shelter to thousands of marine species, including coral, seabirds, shorebirds, fish, marine mammals and other ocean dwellers, such as the leather anemone (shown above) at Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge.

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On January 6, President Bush announced the nomination of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Monument is being nominated for its cultural and natural resource values, and would be America's first marine site and the world's first cultural seascape to be included. Papahānaumokuākea is co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the State of Hawai‘i, in coordination with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and includes the 100-year-old Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where Laysan and black-footed albatross are nesting in the photo above.

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Arriving to the airport at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is unlike any other travel experience in the world...

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Podcast

1/14/09 - Service Removes Western Great Lakes, Portion of Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf Populations from Endangered Species List    

1/13/09 - Proposed Rule Clarifies Hunting Rule Changes at National Wildlife Refuges    

1/8/09 - Acting FWS Director Announces New Leadership for Refuges, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs