Islands of the Outer Coast

Pacific Northwest

We partner with government agencies to study the ecology and population trends of seabirds to inform conservation planning and implement conservation actions on islands of the Outer Coast of Washington.

History

The Outer Coast of Washington is a rugged and exposed seascape dotted with numerous small, inshore islands. Virtually all of these islands are fully protected as part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Given the permanently protected status of these islands, our focus is on identifying and implementing priority conservation actions, including the tracking of population trends, the removal of non-native species, and the restoration of native habitat.

Since 2008, Oikonos has collaborated with colleagues from the Refuge, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center to advance our understanding of the seabird communities of the Outer Coast and their conservation. Most of our work to date has focused on Destruction Island, one of the remaining islands with a Tufted Puffin breeding population.

Context

Little is known about the seabird communities breeding on the islands of the Outer Coast of Washington, including the status of several species of conservation concern. To contribute to the management of these unique islands and the conservation of the breeding seabirds and other native species that inhabit them, Oikonos helps lead collaborative efforts to study the ecology of, threats to, and conservation actions needed on these islands.

Vision

Given the permanently protected status of these islands, our priorities focus on identifying and implementing priority conservation actions, including the tracking of population trends, the removal of non-native species, and the restoration of native habitat.

Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

Destruction Island lies within the traditional lands and waters of multiple tribes of the Outer Coast, including the Quinault, Hoh and Quileute peoples.

Other Initiatives

Phalarope Tagging at Mono Lake: An Update from Science Director Ryan Carle

In 2025, Oikonos launched the project “Promoting the Conservation of the Humboldt Penguin in Chile and Peru”, an initiative aimed at strengthening scientific research, environmental education, and conservation efforts for one of the most iconic species of the Humboldt Current.

The collaboration of those who work at sea every day can make a big difference in conservation: An interview with Simón Zepeda

In 2025, Oikonos launched the project “Promoting the Conservation of the Humboldt Penguin in Chile and Peru”, an initiative aimed at strengthening scientific research, environmental education, and conservation efforts for one of the most iconic species of the Humboldt Current.

Individual Actions Matter: The Humboldt Penguin Is Now a Natural Monument

Individual actions have a greater impact on the collective than we often realize. Thanks to more than 9,000 people who took part in the public consultation, the Humboldt Penguin has now been declared a Natural Monument.