Conservation & Stewardship
Working in the Endangered Species Capital of the World
Conservationists consider Hawaii to be at the forefront of the global extinction crisis. A short trip around the Big Island will take you past habitats of some of the rarest plants and animals on earth. Predation, disease, invasive species, and deforestation are all continuing threats to the native Hawaii biota. Hawaii has turned into one of the best places to study extinction, as well as Conservation Biology. Because of Hawaii's isolation and unique evolutionary results, the species that evolved here are poorly equipped to compete with, and defend against, the thousands of species brought here by man over the last few hundred years. Below are some of the projects that Hawaii Forest & Trail supports, either through financial donations or volunteer efforts.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Stewardship Plot Established in 1985, the Special Ecological Areas (SEAs) inside HVNP are designed for alien plant invasion management and research. The disruptive nature of Hawaii's invasive plant species is closely studied and intensively managed in hopes that a solution can be found to assist in island wide conservation efforts.
Hawaii Forest & Trail has adopted an SEA, and incorporates aspects of its ongoing maintenance and management into every Kilauea Volcano Adventure (weather permitting). By visiting the plot, working in it, and explaining processes in it, our Interpretive Guides are able to impart a feeling of ownership and greater understanding of Hawaii's threatened ecosystems. Since December 2006, Hawaii Forest & Trail and guests have dedicated more than 60 hours to the preservation of the SEA by preventing the regrowth of invasive species.
T.R.E.E. - Tropical Reforestation & Ecosystems Education Dedicated to the conservation of and education about native Hawaiian ecosystems, T.R.E.E staff are based on Hawaii Island. Staff and volunteers engage children and adults in learning about the value of our native forests by participating in hands-on educational activities and assisting with native habitat restoration. Our mission is to forge connections between people and forests with ongoing restoration and learning programs.
Other Conservation & Stewardship Efforts The projects listed above are just a couple of examples of Hawaii Forest & Trail's commitment to preserving the fragile ecosystems of Hawaii. We also support the work of the Nature Conservancy, Environment Hawaii, Kohala Project Venture, and the annual Kona-Kohala Coral Reef Awareness and Earth Day Festival.
