FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT

Mahalo Volunteers – this project is FULL. Please join us for our February project on Friday, February 16, or another one of our monthly projects (dates below)!

The Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is hosting our next volunteer FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT on Friday, January 12th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We’ll be working on the Mauna Loa strip, clearing invasive plants in a restoration area where we have done planting and invasive control since 2009. This will provide hands-on learning about invasive weed control and how it fits in with the park’s broader vegetation management program. Volunteers play an important role in protecting important and threatened native ecosystems.

Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven ground. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required, along with gear for variable weather conditions (be prepared for sun or rain with a hat, raincoat, sunscreen, etc.) plus drinking water and lunch.

Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one’s shoes prior to arrival on site, in order to ensure outside dirt/soil and invasive species aren’t tracked in. Clothing, tools, and gloves, etc. should be clean before entering the park to protect against seeds, Rapid Ohia Death fungus and other invasives.

Our goal is a crew of 15 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.

Be aware that there can be VOG or high levels of SO2 in the area. If it is too heavy or the Park is closed, we’ll cancel the project and try to notify everyone in advance.

***If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or (808) 352-1402 by Monday evening January 8th. Please include your first & last name(s), email address(s) and a phone number where we can reach you at the last minute in case of cancellation***

Come join us for a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our National Park and participate in native forest recovery!

Mark Johnson, Patty Kupchak, Linda Schubert & Paul Field

Forest Restoration Committee

P.S. Please save the dates for our upcoming Forest Restoration Projects in 2018:

February 16, Friday
March 9, Friday
April 20, Friday
May 18, Friday
June 15, Friday
July 20, Friday
August 17, Friday
September 21, Friday
October 19, Friday
November 16, Friday