Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Grant for Migratory Bird Monitoring and Conservation

Maine Coastal Islands NWR Complex¿s invasive plant control and botanical inventories carries Teddy Roosevelt¿s conservation legacy forward and help fulfills both the Refuge and Service missions of enhancing migratory bird populations. We protect and manage 8,700 acres along the Maine coast, including 70 marine islands that support nesting common eiders and over 7,000 pairs of breeding seabirds. Specifically, MCINWR supports 97% of the Arctic terns breeding in the lower 48 states, and 93% of the Atlantic puffins and 85% of the razorbills breeding in the US. Coastal areas in Maine are not only a significant site for nesting seabirds, but also the second most important region for migratory landbirds (second to the Adirondacks, Buler et al 2012). This effort also supports the Service¿s goal of maintaining and restoring the Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health of Refuge lands. Botanical surveys document rare plants and habitats on Refuge islands and identify invasive species that may threaten their survival. Non-native invasive plants also degrade colonial seabird nesting habitat. By incorporating all known plant community data and studying the effects of new management actions, we can move the Refuge¿s goal of creating efficient and effective tools for enhancing migratory bird nesting habitat forward.