Outplanting Bunch Grass, step #4: Native birds enjoy the new planting

These Laysan Albatross seem to be enjoying the shade of a Beach Heliotrope tree in the newly planted field of Bunch Grass (Kawelu.)

Small birds called Bonin Petrels (Pterodroma hypoleuca) nest in burrows, which collapse very easily underneath the alien, invasive plant Verbesina, but not under the native bunch grass. Here's a Bonin Petrel chick next to Bunch Grass. Although it looks as if it has most of its regular feathers, look closely and you'll see some down on either side of its tail.

Outplanting Bunch Grass, step #3: Visitors plant the grass

Visitors from Germany help Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge by planting the native Hawaiian bunch grass.  Their work is much appreciated because Bunch Grass, or Kawelu in Hawaiian, Eragrostis variabilis, is an important part of the atoll's original environment.  For example, Bunch Grass roots hold the sandy soil together much better than the alien invasive plant Verbesina.

After all the grass was planted, we worked together to pour a little water from buckets into each plot of Bunch Grass to give it a healthy start on life!

Outplanting Bunch Grass, step #1: digging holes

Mu & his fellow Thai workers, Adam, and I dig holes in the sand and pull up the alien invasive Verbesina plant to prepare for the bunch grass planting.

Brush Your Shoes

Yep, if you're going to Midway, you gotta scrub your shoes -- with brush & soapy water...and really check all luggage to be sure there are no soil, seeds, plants, insects or other animals accidentally backed along with your clothes.

The Refuge is a unique ecosystem.  Non-native species accidentally carried to Midway can get out of control and become serious pests, completely damaging Midway's ecosystem.  Take a look at the pictures in FOAM's "Alien Invasive Plant Activity" (top menu bar) to see how the non-native plant Verbesina has become a terrible, terrible pest.