AP/Lucy Pelmoni

In about six months, one government organization plans to allow tourists – volunteers in fact - to visit a certain island area which is “so precious humans generally aren’t allowed to venture there”. It is part of a protected marine area and also part of a 14000-mile long archipelago.

The volunteers will help clear the island of debris (fishing nets and hooks, for example, which entangle marine life) and invasive plant species which make it difficult for a large local bird to reach its nesting ground.

The area is also home to monk seals and green sea turtles, both endangered species, as well as thousands of other species found nowhere else in the world.

Any ideas where this mystery island might be? It may help if I reveal that the large local bird is the gooney bird, and that the island became well known in connection with a World War II battle. It was used as a military base until 1996 and is located about four hours by plane from Honolulu.

That’s right – Midway Atoll.

In an AP article featured on Yahoo, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne called it “America’s equivalent of the Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.” Officials hope that, after the experience, volunteers will become advocates for the continued preservation of the area. Environmental groups express concern than an inundation of tourists might ultimately harm the wildlife. In contrast biologist John Klavitter says, “Anytime that you allow people to see the resource that they’re protecting, it becomes more powerful…They say ‘Wow, this is Midway. Let’s for sure protect it.’” Authorities plan to limit the number of overnight visitors.

I can see how this could be a rather unique experience, especially for a history buff, though the price tag may prove a barrier to some: if you’re one of the lucky forty allowed in first, $3,600 gets you airfare from Honolulu and lodging in old military barracks.

Thanks to OutWester.com for pointing out the article.