Evening presentation:
The Hawaiian Islands have a rich and beautiful natural history, but it is under threat. Many native Hawaiian plants and animals have become extinct and many more are at risk. Despite large-scale efforts to protect Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, many rare plant populations continue to decline. Recovering the rarest of the rare species takes very close management. The Plant Extinction Protection Program focuses on safeguarding and restoring more than 200 species of native plant statewide, those that are most at-risk for extinction with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild. The Program’s efforts include locating as many new individuals as possible, protecting them from threats, collecting specimens for propagation, and establishing genetically diverse populations in protected areas. Working closely with land managers from many different agencies as well as private landowners, the Program partners to protect these plants wherever they occur. This afternoon, and again in the evening, Joshua VanDeMark, Hawai‘i Island PEPP Coordinator, introduces us to this rigorous—and rewarding—work, often undertaken in some of our Island’s most rugged and remote areas. Learn how these initiatives are working to keep so much of our unique and irreplaceable natural heritage from vanishing.
Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.
Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge!
Seating is limited; first come, first seated.
On Monday evenings only, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School, Kapiolani St. entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall.
On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM. E komo mai!
