Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Develop volunteer program at KFU.
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Rationale:
The existing volunteer program would continue, with emphasis on service weekends by groups
interested in Refuge enhancement activities.
Volunteer programs are vital to Refuge management by providing additional labor for management
programs that could not be accomplished by Refuge staff alone. While volunteer programs require
administration and coordination, the benefits far outweigh these costs.
Objective 7.3: Support existing outside programs for on and off site environmental education
and develop interpretive opportunities at Hakalau Forest NWR.
Support existing outside programs for off site and compatible on site environmental education
opportunities that are administered by NGOs and where appropriate develop interpretive
opportunities with the following attributes:
• Includes 168 participants annually;
• Based on Refuge and endangered species recovery management programs;
• Provides hands-on stewardship opportunities for teachers and students;
• Actively promote the Service’s “Connecting People with Nature” priority;
• Accommodates six volunteer sessions that target students; and
• Provides information about and serves as a conduit to past uses and connections to the land.
Strategies to achieve objective:
Interpretive wildlife walks available at the annual HFU open house. Rely on SUP process to allow
commercial guides, teachers, and NGOs to continue compatible outreach activities.
Coordinate with County, State, and NGO partners for off site environmental education
opportunities, including Kīpuka 21.
Develop and expand interpretive programming relative to cultural resources and historic sites.
Rationale:
Compatible environmental education and interpretation are priority wildlife-dependent public uses
of the Refuge. In addition, they provide opportunities to reach local community members who may
not otherwise learn about Refuge resources and management programs.
The Refuge is in a unique position to offer local education agencies, teachers, and students
opportunities to study endangered species and engage in natural resource management and
conservation issues in an outdoor setting. Since its establishment, educators and youth professionals
have been using the Refuge as an outdoor classroom to enhance course curricula. The existing
program serves approximately 75 students per year.
Groups using the Refuge for environmental education purposes would be required to obtain a SUP
or work through the Refuge volunteer program.
To meet student needs, the Refuge is committed to working with schools to teach students about
Refuge resources, including wildlife, habitat conservation, and cultural resources. These could be
Chapter 2. Refuge Management Direction 2-39