Transcript Hawai`i Association of Watershed Partnerships

WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS
Image: www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.
FORESTS IN HAWAI’I
Hawai‘i’s forests have evolved over millions of years to
contain some of the worlds most unique species.
But the history of our forests was not always a happy
one.
In the 1800s, hooved
animals brought to
the islands from
other parts of the
world were allowed
to roam free in the
forest, devastating
hundreds of
thousands of acres
of forested lands in
Hawai‘i.1
Hooved animals, known as ungulates, dig,
root and graze in forests, destroying native
plants and habitat.
Photo Credit: West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership
For educational pilot project use only.
FOREST RESERVES
In 1903, the territorial government created the Hawai‘i Forest Reserve System,
which now helps the state to manage and protect nearly 700,000 acres of
forested lands.1
“Hawaii's native forests are among the Earth’s biological treasures, sheltering
more than 10,000 unique species. These forests supply our state with fresh
water, protect our world-class beaches from destructive run-off and sediment,
and are a vital link to the survival
of Hawaiian cultural practices.”
- The Last Stand: The Vanishing Hawaiian Forest
Hooved animals, known as ungulates, dig,
root and graze in forests, destroying native
plants and habitat.
Photo Credit: West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership
For educational pilot project use only.
WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS
Watershed Partnerships are another way that Hawai‘i is protecting its native
forested areas.
“Watershed Partnerships
are voluntary alliances of
both public and private
landowners committed to
the common value of
protecting forested
watersheds for water
recharge, conservation, and
other ecosystem services
through collaborative
management”1.
Photo Credit: www.hawp.org
There is also the Hawai‘i Association of Watershed
Partnerships (HAWP) which works to increase the effective
management and protection of mauka (upper elevation) watershed
areas.
For educational pilot project use only.
WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS
The first Watershed
Partnership began in East
Maui in 1991.
Today, there are eleven
statewide on five major
islands -Kaua‘i, O‘ahu (2),
Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Maui (3),
and Hawai‘i (3). Together,
these partnerships involve
over 71 private landowners
and public agencies that
cover over 2.2 million acres
of land in the state. There
is no model like it in the
state with respect to
watershed management
breadth, scope, and
efficacy1.
Map Credit: www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.
WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS
Over one million acres of critical
forestlands are under the different
Watershed Partnerships. 1
These areas provide billions of gallons
of water to various communities on each
island.
Photo Credit: www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.
Watershed Partnerships work to target
the main threats of:1
• Feral ungulates (hoofed animals
such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep,
deer) which destroy forest vegetation
leaving grounds bare and soils
exposed
• Invasive weed species which can
take over a native forest and impact
its efficacy in water collection
• Wildfires among various other
threats
WHY WATERSHEDS MATTER
At no cost to us, forested watersheds1:
• Recharge our water supply, help with droughts , mitigate flooding by slowing
down the water and they provide clean water to communities, agriculture and
business
•
Protect oceans for swimming and fishing by controlling erosion and run-off
as the roots of trees and other vegetation help to hold soils to keep them from
flowing down coral reefs, fisheries, and swimming areas
•
Provide habitat for Hawaii’s unique plants and animals that can be found
no where else in the world
•
Supply culturally important plants and animals to continue traditions such
as hula, storytelling, and medicine
•
Serve as recreational and educational places for communities and schools
•
Protect public health by providing clean water and air
•
Supports the economy through providing watershed management related
jobs, opportunities for businesses for needed supplies and materials, and
eco-tourism
Photo Credit: www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.
WHY WATERSHEDS MATTER
A University of Hawai’i
study estimates the
Ko’olau Mountains on
O’ahu alone provide
watershed services
worth up to $14 billion1.
“Consider the cost of replicating
any of these essential services
through technology or engineering
to understand how important our
forested watersheds are important
to both Hawaii’s economy and its
communities1.”
Photo Credit: www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Here are some everyday actions you can take to Malama our
Watersheds1
•
Learn about your own watersheds by going out with your island Watershed Partnership and
learning about what they do. Visit www.hawp.org to find out where your nearest watershed
partnership is!
•
Take a hike in your watershed by enjoying one of the state’s many hiking trails. Information
can be found at the Na Ala Hele website. Or learn about the native habitats and species found
in our watersheds by visiting the Hawaii Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for
island descriptions and individual species fact sheets.
•
If you are planning to hike in forested areas, prevent the spread of weeds by checking
your hiking boots, clothes, and gear to make sure you aren’t carrying weed seed
hitchhikers.
•
Maintain fences to keep farm and pet animals out of forests
•
Conserve water resources by monitoring your water use and cutting back by taking shorter
showers, not letting water served at restaurants go to waste by refilling your cup and not
drinking it, planting drought tolerant plants to cut down on garden/lawn watering, and recycling
the water you use for other purposes
For educational pilot project use only.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
More everyday actions you can take to Malama our Watersheds1
Share with others (e.g. friends, family, educators, legislators, etc.) why you think
protecting our forested watersheds is important .
Ask your nurseries not to sell invasive plant species and purchase and plant native
plants.
If you see something (e.g. animals, insects, plants, etc.) that looks like it doesn’t belong
and is not native to Hawaii, call it in at 808-643-PEST (808-643-7378). A useful website
that identifies top invasive species of concern can be found at
www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/pests/.
If you see someone or something that might be negatively impacting forested watershed
areas or rare species on state lands or state protected species, contact the State
Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources
Enforcement hotline at 808-643-DLNR (808-643-3567).
Photo Credit: Eric Tessmer
For educational pilot project use only.
REFERENCES
1. www.hawp.org
For educational pilot project use only.