Projects and Research
In addition to our ongoing programs of seabird inventory and monitoring and engaging with our neighboring communities, our staff works on a variety of projects with partners.
The cisco (Coregonus artedi) and the bloater (Coregonus hoyi) both played critical roles in the trophic dynamics of the Great Lakes. They were the primary native prey species for top predator fish such as the lake trout. By the 1950’s, however, overfishing and competition with non-native, plankton-eating prey fish (alewife) caused the collapse of these native prey species, and subsequently...
Our seabird monitoring program provides long-term, time-series data. When the data reveal biologically-significant changes, scientists can test hypotheses about the causes of those changes. This long-term monitoring program is an integral part of the management of the Alaska Maritime Refuge. The information it provides is used to define...
For over 20 years we have worked with partners to provide hands-on educational summer programming for youth in Unalaska, St. Paul Island, and Sand Point. While we may be inviting kids onboard the Research Vessel Tiglax̂ for a ship tour, building ORV's, or learning bird identification skills, other instructors are teaching traditional ways of knowing including the Unangam Tunuu language,...
As part of the National Wetlands Inventory, we are mapping and digitizing high priority wetlands in Alaska’s 16 National Wildlife Refuges.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency tasked with providing public information on the status and trends of our Nation's wetlands. Our National Wetlands Inventory provides detailed information...
To limit the introduction and spread of invasive species throughout remote parts of the state, we're facilitating early decision planning and improving biosecurity measures throughout Alaska. This involves the use of decision support tools such as habitat suitability models, horizon scanning, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point analyses. Each tool helps to assess the risk and...
Invasive Species Program staff collaborate with Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge, the State of Alaska and other partners to protect Alaska's lands and waters by working to detect invasive species infestations while they’re still relatively small and have the highest chance of being successfully eradicated. We survey terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments for invasive plants and...
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed project to eradicate nonnative rats from four uninhabited islands (Amchitka, Attu, Great Sitkin, and Kiska Islands) located in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The purpose of the proposed action is to eliminate the impacts...