Original Article published by re:wild
Today, the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a catalytic global initiative to begin the holistic restoration of 40 island-ocean ecosystems by 2030, announces eight newly confirmed projects, representing diverse communities and ecosystems. The eight island-ocean ecosystems are:
- Alto Velo Island, Dominican Republic
- Bikar Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Bokak Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Catalina Island, Dominican Republic
- Jemo Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, UK
- Savana Island, US Virgin Islands
- Tintamarre Island, Saint-Martin, France
The IOCC brings together scientific monitoring, restoration, and rewilding efforts on islands across the globe to accelerate ecosystem recovery. Holistically restoring islands results in remarkable benefits to wildlife, oceans, and communities. With these eight ecosystems added, the IOCC now has 17 confirmed projects, almost halfway to their goal of 40 island-ocean ecosystems by 2030.
“This expansion of the IOCC portfolio marks a significant milestone in the growing recognition of the importance of restoring these island-ocean ecosystems for both nature and people,” stated Dr. Penny Becker, vice president of conservation at Island Conservation. “By working collaboratively and linking resources and expertise across the globe, we are amplifying the many benefits of holistic restoration to have a global impact for our planet.”
The restoration and rewilding initiatives planned for these island-ocean ecosystems takes a comprehensive approach, including the removal of invasive species, reintroduction of native flora and fauna, habitat restoration, and the protection of critical marine and terrestrial habitats. These endeavors are poised to deliver substantial ecological, social, and economic benefits to local communities while bolstering climate resilience.
“SOH Conservación is thrilled to be a part of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge,” said Jorge Luis Brocca, Executive Director of SOH Conservación leading work on IOCC island Alto Velo, Dominican Republic. “SOH has worked in the Caribbean region, especially in Hispaniola, for more than 20 years, restoring habitat, evaluating populations, conserving unique places and helping the Ministry of the Environment preserve the protected areas of the Dominican Republic. Through the IOCC, SOH Conservación envisions a future where islands in the Dominican Republic and surrounding ocean flourishes for generations to come.”
Island communities have long managed their natural resources from ridge-to-reef. As connector species like seabirds and turtles that link the land and the sea rebound and nutrient cycles are restored, these rewilded islands become focal points for biodiversity recovery, fostering healthy marine environments and resilient coastal communities. Scientific research underscores the profound impact of integrated conservation efforts on marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
“By measuring the impact of our restoration and rewilding efforts on the land and in the sea, we can quantify the benefits these connector species bring and make informed decisions for the future of islands, oceans and communities,” emphasized Dr. Stuart Sandin, director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, whose team is conducting marine monitoring to measure recovery and resilience throughout the rewilding process. “This will be the first time ever this has been done across a variety of ecosystems”
The IOCC is committed to expanding its network of island-ocean ecosystems and invites interested parties worldwide to join us in advancing nature-based solutions and securing the health of our planet for generations to come.
“These new projects represent a significant step forward in our efforts to restore and rewild island-ocean ecosystems across the globe,” affirmed Dr. Wes Sechrest, chief scientist and CEO of Re:wild. “Through collaborative action, we can unlock the full potential of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and create a more resilient and biodiverse world.”
For further details on the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and to learn more about our expanding portfolio of restoration projects, visit www.jointheiocc.org.
Additional quotes:
Alto Velo, Dominican Republic
“It is exciting to see support for restoration work like what is happening on Alto Velo Island. It takes bold steps to counteract what we have already lost and to help native wildlife rebound. Based on hundreds of similar island-focused conservation projects around the world, we know that the removal of invasive mammal species will benefit the biodiversity on Alto Velo – from endemic lizards to seabirds to coastal waters – and continue to compound in ways that enable the island to recover.”
— Brad Keitt, Oceans and Islands Director at American Bird Conservancy
Tintamarre Island, Saint-Martin, France
“Tintamarre is a unique place for Saint-Martin and, at a regional level, has a low level of human disturbance on its fauna and flora. As such, it is poised for immense benefits from the conservation of its invaluable historical and living heritage. This project and place are also an opportunity for Saint-Martin to increase its skills and play a leading role in conservation.”
— Anne Karine Fleming, daughter of the current owner of central Tintamarre and Vice-President of Association de Gestion de la Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (AGNRSM)
Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, UK
“The success of this project will mean that the wildlife of Rathlin, the sights and sounds that we grew up with, can continue. The seabirds and ground-nesting birds are a big part of our natural heritage as well as being a major draw to the island for tourists during the spring and summer months. By protecting them we are making sure that our island community plays a part in protecting this shared heritage for future generations.”
— Michael Cecil, Chair of the Rathlin Development Community Association
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic
“Catalina Island is one of the best coral reefs of Dominican Republic, however due to climate change and bleaching events corals have suffered high mortalities in Catalina and around the Caribbean. The monitoring of the ecosystems is key to define the strategy of intervention for their conservation.”
— Rita I. Sellares Blasco, CEO of Fundacion Dominicana de Estudios Marinos
Savana Island, United States Virgin Islands
“Creating an island refuge to the Virgin Islands Tree Boa after the removal of invasive rats is a remarkable action for the recovery of this endangered snake. Restoring Savana Island represent a significant commitment of all the project partners involved and will enhance the terrestrial and marine habitats for seabirds, native reptiles, plants, land crabs, and nearshore reefs.”
— José Luis Herrera-Giraldo, Project Manager, Island Conservation
Bokak Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands
“Bokak Atoll is the most pristine atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and one of the most unmodified places in the tropical Pacific. It is home to an astonishing array of breeding seabirds, which sadly are subject to long-term population decline due to depredation by invasive rats. Eradicating rats on Bokak would pave the way for restoration of the seabird colonies to their former glory, in turn repairing vital ecosystem functions and improving the health of the reef and the surrounding seas, giving Bokak the best chance to endure the effects of human-induced climate change.”
— Paul Jacques, Island Restoration Specialist, Island Conservation
Jemo Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands
“SPREP and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) are pleased to be supporting these efforts to restore island resilience through the IOCC. The restoration of Bikar Atoll and Jemo Island in the Marshall Islands will provide significant benefits to assist local communities to adapt to climate change with support from the New Zealand Government.”
— David Moverley (SPREP Invasive Species Adviser)
“Jemo Island has traditionally been held as Mo, a sanctuary, by the Chiefs of the Northern Marshall Islands due to its abundant populations of seabirds and endangered Green Sea Turtles. Invasive rats threaten the long term survival of these populations; removal of the rats will catalyze the restoration of the islet’s biodiversity and restore ecosystem processes that nourish its coral reef and surrounding seas.”
— Paul Jacques, Island Restoration Specialist, Island Conservation
Bikar Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands
“Bikar Atoll is one of the only remaining semi-arid atoll ecosystems on the planet, a true “desert island” that holds huge colonies of seabirds and one of the largest nesting populations of endangered Green Sea Turtles in the central Pacific Ocean. However, the health of this fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants is critically threatened by two species of invasive rats, and long-term population declines of native species have occurred. By eradicating invasive rats, we hope to restore Bikar Atoll to its former glory and repair the linkages between atoll, reef and deep ocean.”
— Paul Jacques, Island Restoration Specialist, Island Conservation
IOCC Partner Support— Lara Webster, Journeys with Purpose
“Restoring critical island-ocean ecosystems is going to take both intentional innovation and collaboration. We are proud to support Island Conservation through the Salesforce Accelerator for Nature to build an interactive system to monitor island forest carbon and invasive species removal using remote sensing.”
— Naomi Morenzoni, SVP of Climate and Innovation Philanthropy, Salesforce
