Expedition Leader Lisa Baldwin recently guided a voyage to the remote Palmyra Atoll, a living laboratory in the South Pacific where the Nature Conservancy is restoring biodiversity and providing a roadmap for conservation work around the world. Join us for a field report on the inspiring work being done there and how EYOS made the trip possible.
In the heart of the Pacific Ocean lies one of the world’s most pristine and remote environments: Palmyra Atoll. This sun-drenched speck of land, barely 1,000 miles south of Hawaii, is a true natural treasure—a place where the land, sea, and sky exist in perfect harmony. For those who venture here, Palmyra offers not just a breathtaking escape, but a chance to witness groundbreaking conservation efforts in action.
For years, Palmyra Atoll has been under the watchful care of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), whose mission is to protect and restore this remarkable ecosystem. Through a combination of marine and terrestrial conservation initiatives, TNC has become a steward of one of the most important ecological hotspots in the Pacific. Their work here is a critical piece of the global effort to safeguard biodiversity, combat climate change, and protect vulnerable species. The data collected here is shaping efforts to restore coral reefs and manage invasive species in some of the world’s most vulnerable oceanic ecosystems.
Even a brief list of the projects they are supporting is overwhelming in its scope: marine and terrestrial ecosystem studies, coral reef health monitoring, ocean currents studies, invasive species management, climate change impact research, fisheries research, and the restoration of various terrestrial organisms that inhabit the atoll. On one island of the atoll, they have successfully returned biodiversity to pre-World War II status, removing invasive coconut palms and replacing them with the native pisonia tree forests that support species like coconut crabs and nesting seabirds.
EYOS’s extensive experience in logistics and operations was crucial to the success of our recent journey to Palmyra. From securing the necessary permits to navigating the complex regulations of this protected area, the team’s expertise ensured a seamless expedition. With meticulous planning, local partnerships, and a deep understanding of the atoll’s environmental and legal frameworks, the group was able to focus on the conservation goals of the mission while fully respecting the delicate ecosystem of this remote paradise.
For travelers seeking to experience something truly off the beaten path, Palmyra Atoll offers a rare opportunity to witness conservation in action and to explore one of the most unspoiled places on Earth. But more than that, it’s a chance to reflect on the interconnectedness of nature—how life on this small, remote atoll also contributes to the larger picture.
This remote paradise is a living laboratory where the lessons of the past meet the urgent realities of the present. Whether you’re a marine biologist, a conservation enthusiast, or a curious traveler, visiting Palmyra Atoll is a chance to experience the magic of nature unfiltered and untouched, and to be part of the ongoing story of how we can help protect it for future generations.