NFWF Announces $932,000 in Grants from the Hawai‘i Conservation Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 8, 2024) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $932,000 in grants to reduce extinction risk for Hawaiian forest birds and restore essential watershed habitats in Hawaiʻi. The grants will generate $692,000 in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $1.6 million.

The grants were awarded through the Hawai‘i Conservation Program, a partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Defense and Pūlama Lāna‘i.

“Hawai‘i is home to numerous unique species, many of which are facing the real risk of extinction due to stressors including habitat loss, invasive species and impacts from our changing climate,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “Through our partnerships with federal agencies and private partners, NFWF’s grantees are implementing science-based approaches while also incorporating Native Hawaiian biocultural knowledge and practices to help prevent the loss of species and entire ecosystems.”

Four of the grants announced today will focus on forest bird conservation on the islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island by restoring forest habitat, supporting the establishment of a new population of ‘alalā (Hawaiian crow) on Maui, and conducting predator control for puaiohi (small Kauaʻi thrush), O‘ahu elepaio (monarch flycatcher) and palila (finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper). In addition, these grants will support community outreach and coordination among the Birds Not Mosquitoes coalition of state, federal, private and nonprofit partners to develop and implement mosquito suppression techniques to reduce the spread of avian malaria to Hawai‘i’s native forest birds.

Other grants in the slate will fund the protection of watershed forests and nesting habitat for native seabirds like ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel) from invasive ungulates on Lāna‘i. 

“The Department of Defense (DOD) is working in close collaboration with NFWF and local partners to enhance native habitat that supports important conservation actions and promotes installation resilience across Hawaiʻi,” said Kristin Thomasgard, Program Director for the DOD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program. The island of Lāna‘i is home to numerous threatened, endangered, and at-risk species similar to those found on DOD installations. Through large-scale habitat improvement on the island of Lāna‘i, this project will increase the population of at-risk species found primarily within critical DOD training areas and safely move them away from military operations. Investing in these collaborative efforts with partners demonstrates the Department’s commitment to solutions that advance conservation efforts in Hawaiʻi for years to come.”

“This award reflects tremendously on the collaborative efforts of Defense Department entities statewide and our partners on Lānaʻi, and speaks to the dedication and commitment of the professionals in the natural resources career field,” said Col. Steve McGunegle, Commander U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi. “We recognize that healthy habitat, even when not directly adjacent to a military installation or training area, is critical to helping the animals and plants that rely on that habitat reproduce and thrive.”

Projects on the island of Lāna‘i will test ungulate monitoring methodologies to inform invasive animal control measures, establish a seed bank, and initiate seed collection activities to source native plants for future watershed restoration projects within the Kuahiwi a Kai program area. A water quality and coral reef monitoring plan will also be developed to measure long-term impacts of terrestrial restoration actions on marine health along the eastern coast of Lāna‘i.

“The grants awarded by the Hawai‘i Conservation Program will enable us to implement crucial measures to protect and restore the unique habitats and species of Lāna‘i,” said Kurt Matsumoto, president of Pūlama Lāna‘i. “Our focus on invasive species control, game management, habitat restoration and watershed management delivers on our commitment to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of this island. We are grateful for NFWF’s support in ensuring a sustainable future for Lāna‘i’s ecosystems.”

The Hawai‘i Conservation Program aims to strategically protect and enhance essential habitats in Hawai‘i, from mauka to makai (from the mountains to the ocean), to reduce extinction risk and sustain resilient populations of native species. The HCP’s business plan, established in 2021, outlines NFWF’s goals and strategies to restore, improve and protect habitat and wildlife throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. A complete list of the 2024 grants made through the Hawai‘i Conservation Program is available here.    

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.  

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

About the U.S. Forest Service
Established in 1905, the Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains one of the largest forestry research organizations in the world. Public lands managed by the Forest Service provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply and contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. The agency also supports sustainable management on about 500 million acres of private, state and tribal forests including forests in urban areas. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov.

About U.S. DOD REPI Program
The Department of Defense (DOD)’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program fosters multi-agency initiatives and collaboration to preserve compatible land uses and promote resilience around military installations and ranges. These efforts preserve and enhance Department of Defense (DOD) assets and capabilities in support of military readiness through the creation of unique cost-sharing partnerships with state and local governments and private conservation organizations. The REPI Program is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Learn more at www.repi.mil.

About Pūlama Lāna‘i
Pūlama Lāna‘i is committed to redefining the Hawaiian Island of Lāna‘i as a sustainable community by creating new opportunities driven by agriculture, resource management, conservation and more.  Enhancing and perpetuating the island’s diverse species and fragile ecosystem through game management, natural species preservation, watershed management, erosion control, coastal resources and fisheries management, invasive species control and conservation education, Pūlama Lāna‘i brings an integrated and comprehensive approach to protect and manage Lāna‘i’s natural resources to preserve Hawaiian culture and improve the lives of Lāna‘i residents.

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Contact:

Rob Blumenthal, 202-857-0166, rob.blumenthal@nfwf.org