The following introductions were written when this six month volunteer crew arrived on Midway Atoll National Wildlife late September 2024. They departed March 13, 2025 once the albatross bedded down for the night. The following is the Friends of Midway public mahalo (thank you) and acknowledgement of the gifts they gave to wildlife and people too! This is also a particularly bitter sweet goodbye as the refuge staff prepares for the recent cuts to a volunteer program that easily does 30% of the sweat equity work to help wildlife on Kuaihelani thrive.
“We will miss your passion, resiliency and attitude that went above and beyond the call of a 40-hour-a-week volunteer. During their supposed off-time Nikki and Joe elected to share with you their knowledge and experiences through their excellent educational, environmental and creative writing, photography and videography skills! To say we will miss you is an understatement.”
Anna Karapin-Springorum
Hi all! I’m thrilled to be volunteering on Midway Atoll this winter! I have a background in environmental conservation and education, and have been working with song and seabirds for the past six years, on islands off the US East coast and in the North and Baltic seas.
I heard about the albatross monitoring project and habitat restoration efforts on Midway Atoll from past volunteers that I had the pleasure of working with elsewhere, and despite their rave reviews, Midway has surpassed my expectations. It is an honor to work on conservation and habitat restoration efforts that so directly help our seabird neighbors, and to do so on a beautiful island, with curious white terns overhead and grumpy Bonin petrels underfoot, is nothing short of magical. From treating botulism-sick Laysan ducks, to weeding non-native plants in restoration areas, to monitoring monk seals, to cheering the first sightings of returning albatrosses, Midway Atoll is full of life, history, and potential, and I am very excited to be here!
From a small fishing village in Scotland, Carrie Marell Gunn
Brought up in Lybster, a small fishing village in the far north of Scotland, the sea has always been a huge part of my life. My passion for the marine world led me to complete a Masters of Research in Marine Biology and set me on a career path, as a seabird ecologist, which has never ventured far from the sea.
I have spent over a decade studying the ecology of puffins, shags and kittiwakes on the Isle of May, a tiny island on the east coast of Scotland. Every so often I have the opportunity to take my field skills to the Southern hemisphere and have committed three years to working on albatross and penguins on the remote island of South Georgia.
It is an absolute pleasure to join the Midway Atoll community and to contribute to the conservation efforts of a remote wildlife refuge, especially because the sun shines and the seas are warm! The last couple of months on Midway has reminded me that a little, consistent effort can make the world of difference in the long-term. As the season progresses, I am excited to find out how so many animals can call one tiny atoll home and to share the stories and photos of my experience along the way.
Nikki Preston from Mililani, O'ahu
I was born and raised in Mililani, Oahu, where I developed a deep fascination with animals, particularly birds. This passion led me to pursue a B.S. in Biology, followed by a Master’s degree in Environmental Science at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where I focused my research on the nesting success of the Oahu ‘elepaio (Oahu monarch flycatcher). I have worked across the Pacific with various wildlife conservation programs, including projects with the Mariana Crow in Rota, Mariana Islands; tracking Orange-fronted Parakeets in New Zealand; monitoring and assisting with wildlife-human conflict mitigation involving Asiatic Black Bears in Japan; and coordinating the logistics for the ʻalalā (Hawaiian Crow) release on Maui.
In my free time, I enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, and practicing aerial silks. During my volunteer application (to work on Midway), I was quite vocal about bringing my aerial silks and initially received permission to set them up for practice. However, recent storm damage to the roof raised concerns about the building's integrity.. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to put on the circus performance I had planned for the Midway community!
Throughout my conservation career, I’ve primarily focused on montane forest ecosystems. Since arriving on Kuaihelani, I’ve been deeply grateful for the opportunity to expand my experience into coastal environments. Working closely with an incredibly talented and passionate team has been inspiring, and I’ve particularly cherished the chance to monitor the health and survival of coastal species like sea turtles and monk seals. Being in such proximity to these charismatic megafauna is a rare and rewarding experience that has broadened my perspective and deepened my commitment to wildlife conservation.
From Across the Pond, Joe Owens
Originally from England, I started my career as an engineer, where I spent just short of a decade working in the manufacturing industry. Seeking adventure and a deeper purpose, I made the decision to move to Antarctica, where I spent 18 months immersed in its stunning, remote environment. During this time, I fell in love with the unique wildlife around me and developed a strong desire to contribute to conservation efforts.
This passion led me to become the station leader at King Edward Point Station on South Georgia. As I took on my leadership duties, opportunities arose allowing me to assist with the science program, engaging in projects focused on seals, penguins, and seabirds. My experiences here solidified my commitment to working within wildlife conservation. Now, with a newfound passion for helping these vital ecosystems, I see Midway as the perfect next step in my journey.
Since arriving on Midway, I’ve quickly learned so much; from the island's military history, to the diverse species that inhabit it. However, my favorite learning experience has been hands-on work with green sea turtles. Learning how to safely and respectfully monitor these incredible creatures has been a dream. The skills I’ve gained while working with them have deepened my appreciation for their beauty and the importance of conservation efforts.