Request for Insight on State Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Request for Insight on State Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Going Green in the Aloha State: Help Shape Hawaii's Conservation Future with the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan

Get ready, environmental enthusiasts of Hawaii, because the Division of Aquatic Resources and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife have something exciting brewing for our precious ecosystems! They're inviting you to have your say throughout May on the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). This comprehensive document will serve as a blueprint, safeguarding Hawaii's most vulnerable native species and guiding conservation efforts and funding access.

But wait, there's more! The DLNR wants to make this SWAP accessible and informative for everyone in the community. That's why they need your feedback to help create a user-friendly document that mirrors our local knowledge and communities' priorities.

So, what exactly is the SWAP all about? Picture a detailed roadmap that lists Hawaii's most endangered species, shows the location and status of key habitats, highlights threats, outlines conservation efforts, and proposes monitoring plans for species and their habitats.

The first SWAP was rolled out in 2005, with the second making its way into the picture in 2015. The DLNR anticipates finalizing the 2025 edition in October. And why is this important? A SWAP is essential for participating in the federal State Wildlife Grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which brings approximately $500,000 annually for conservation projects to our paradise. Additionally, the state sends in proposals for Competitive State Wildlife Grants, alongside all other states with their own SWAPs. Over the past ten years, Hawaii has reaped around $1 million to $2 million per year through these additional grants, courtesy of the DLNR.

But wait, there's another exciting aspect to the SWAP. It helps set conservation priorities for the state as a whole, making it easier to collaborate with community groups to create more competitive grant applications! Kirsten Moy, meeting co-host from the University of Hawaii's Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative, shared this insight at the first Tuesday virtual meeting, which was open to the public.

Attendees at this meeting were treated to an overview of the SWAP process, recent updates, and open forum opportunities for questions and feedback. The morning comment opportunity saw several ecological professionals weighing in, sharing their insights on various topics such as mosquito control measures, incorporating modern Hawaiian ecological practices, and current environmental efforts.

"We can ensure the SWAP reflects what matters most to the people and ecosystems of Hawaii," shared DAR watershed management specialist and meeting co-host Maya Goodoni. After all, our islands boast over 10,000 endangered endemic or indigenous species, and the purpose of the SWAP is to help protect them from extinction and conserve as much as possible.

Want to join the conversation? Submit your valuable input by visiting the SWAP Storymap (https://tinyurl.com/5fzuaraa) before the end of May. Be sure to scroll down past the seven Conservation Strategies and Goals to find the Public Response Collection 2025, a survey that collects public opinions and suggestions for the 2025 SWAP.

Don't forget about the Public SWAP folder, a library of fact sheets focusing on over 6,000 indigenous species that can be reviewed and suggested edits by the public for even deeper engagement in the conservation process!

Participate, share your voice, and help shape Hawaii's conservation future. #GreenHawaii #SaveOurEcosystems #2025SWAP

1. Environmental enthusiasts in Hawaii are invited to contribute to the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which serves as a safeguard for vulnerable native species and guides conservation efforts.
2. Community feedback is crucial in creating a user-friendly SWAP document that reflects local knowledge and community priorities.
3. The SWAP outlines a detailed roadmap, including endangered species, key habitats, threats, conservation efforts, and monitoring plans.
4. The first SWAP was introduced in 2005, with the second in 2015, and the DLNR aims to finalize the 2025 edition in October.
5. Participating in the federal State Wildlife Grant program brings approximately $500,000 annually for conservation projects to Hawaii.
6. Over the past ten years, Hawaii has received around $1 million to $2 million per year through additional grants from the DLNR.
7. The SWAP sets conservation priorities for the state, aiding in collaborative grant applications with community groups.
8. At a virtual meeting, attendees were updated on the SWAP process, recent updates, and were given the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.
9. Ecological professionals discussed topics such as mosquito control measures, modern Hawaiian ecological practices, and current environmental efforts.
10. The SWAP aims to protect over 10,000 endangered endemic or indigenous species in Hawaii from extinction and conserve as much as possible.
11. Submit your valuable input by visiting the SWAP Storymap (https://tinyurl.com/5fzuaraa) before the end of May.
12. Public suggestions for the 2025 SWAP can be made by scrolling down past the seven Conservation Strategies and Goals to find the Public Response Collection 2025.
13. The Public SWAP folder, containing fact sheets on over 6,000 indigenous species, allows for public review and suggested edits for deeper engagement in the conservation process.
14. By participating and sharing your voice, you can help shape Hawaii's conservation future. #GreenHawaii #SaveOurEcosystems #2025SWAP

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