Despite the concentrated efforts of many individuals and organizations, Hawaii’s native ecosystems face an escalating crisis of destruction and extinction.

While ongoing approaches achieve some measure of success, the Conservancy and many of our partners believe that “business as usual” management will not deter chronic and continuing damage to our native forests and reefs.

Without acting decisively and employing the most effective methods and new technology available to us, the battle to preserve Hawaii’s rare and sacred natural areas and communities may be lost and the unthinkable could become reality:  our last remnants of native forest will disappear forever. 

Learn more about critical threats to our Hawaiian forests.

Forest Recovery Project

To strengthen forest protection, the Conservancy is testing new methods to expand on its current suite of conservation management tools. Through our Forest Recovery Project, we have begun a series of concentrated actions to evaluate which methods will yield more effective progress in preserving Hawaii’s native ecosystems by focusing new efforts on removing alien weeds and non-native animals.

The Conservancy is now advancing the latest forest protection strategies and technologies in order to reduce and contain populations of invasive plant and animal species. Our goal is to reduce their harmful impact on Hawaii's fragile forest ecosystems and vital watershed functions, as well as on offshore reefs and marine life.

Learn more about the Conservancy Forest Recovery Project's animal control efforts presently underway. Hear what members of the Hawai'i community are saying about the project.

Forest Conservation Tools and Strategies

Preserving biodiversity often means managing land for conservation. In some cases, this means removing and keeping threats of alien species out. In other cases this means collaborating with land uses and land owners to establish more sustainable practices. In Hawaii, the Conservancy currently uses a variety of conservation management tools including: 

• Purchasing and managing land
• Partnering with public and private landowners to collaboratively manage natural landscapes
• Working with communities to establish and implement conservation management goals
• Removing threats such as invasive weeds and animals
• Building fences to keep threats out and allow native forests to recover
• Working with communities and governments to reduce damaging land use and development

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): © Naomi Sodetani/TNC (Maui staff erect fencing at Waikamoi Preserve); © Suzanne Case/TNC (Maui staff surveying forest health); © Paul Baker (po'ouli, now-extinct native bird).