“Beyond the Nest: the Science and Future of Albatrosses”. A webinar on Midway and Wisdom

 Jon Plissner on Midway Atoll with Laysan Albtrosses

“Join [the Friends of Midway Atoll] for our live webinar, Beyond the Nest: the Science and Future of Albatrosses, featuring Dr. Jon Plissner, former Supervisory Biologist at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll), who spent nine years working on the island.  Discover the fascinating history of Midway's albatrosses, decades of research, population trends, conservation challenges, and the remarkable story of Wisdom, the world's oldest known wild bird.

Special Guest: Biologist and photographer Dan Rapp will join us live from Midway.  Both guests will answer your questions during a live Q&A.”

Dr. Jon Plissner, Former Midway Atoll Supervisory Biologist

Dr. Plissner retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in April 2026 after nine years on Midway Atoll, beginning as a six-month volunteer and ultimately serving as the refuge’s Supervisory Biologist. A career ornithologist specializing in bird movements and population dynamics, he has worked on research projects across the U.S., from Alaska to Hawaiʻi.  Now retired in Maine, Dr. Plissner continues to support Midway’s biological programmes and volunteers with the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory.  He plans to return to Midway this winter to assist with the beginning of the albatross breeding season.

Dan Rapp, Seabird Biologist & Photographer

Dan Rapp, biologist and photographer

Dan is a seabird biologist with extensive experience working across Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. He earned his graduate degree from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, where his research focused on plastic ingestion in seabirds at Lalo (French Frigate Shoals). Dan became a full-time resident of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) during the Seabird Protection Project and has since contributed to numerous conservation and research projects throughout the monument.

Sunday, 08 November 2026, 10h00 Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (GMT-10).

A recording of the presentation will be sent to those who register.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 19 October 2026