The Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is hosting our next volunteer FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT on Friday, February 22nd from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This month we will be sowing native plant seeds in the burn area on the Mauna Loa Strip. This will provide hands-on learning about native plant restoration processes following a fire. Volunteers play an important role in protecting important and threatened native ecosystems.

The seeding projects on Mauna Loa are unlike anything our group has done before. The work is fulfilling and you will get some exercise. We will be walking along a transect line in a group of 3-4 people. Every 50m we will stop and use a hoe/rake tool to make a shallow planting trench and sprinkle seed into it and then cover it up and move on. Tall grasses (some are native!) have grown back in many places. They hide rocks, branches, and that makes the ground uneven, plus the seeds stick into our clothing. Leg gaiters have been helpful but not required. We do rub against branches now and then and touch things which means soot on our clothing and hands. It washes out easily but don’t wear your favorites. We will all be wearing hard hats supplied by the park. Take a look at the attached recent photos.

Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven ground. We will be walking a mile or more along a planting transect carrying everything we need for the day along with our seed sowing materials and tools. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty that may not clean up. Be prepared with gear for variable weather conditions, we could have sun or rain or both (bring a hat, raincoat, sunscreen, etc.) plus drinking water and lunch.

Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one’s shoes prior to arrival on site, in order to ensure outside dirt/soil and invasive species aren’t tracked in. Clothing, tools, and gloves, etc. should be cleaned before entering the park to protect against seeds, Rapid Ohia Death fungus and other invasives.

Our goal is a crew of 13 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.

Be aware that there can be VOG or high levels of SO2 in the area (still a possibility). If it is too heavy or the Park is closed, we’ll cancel the project and try to notify everyone in advance.

***If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or (808) 352-1402 by Monday evening February 18th. Pleaseinclude your first & last name(s), email address(s) and a phone number where we can reach you at the last minute in case of cancellation***

 

Come join us for a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our National Park and participate in native forest recovery!

 

Mark Johnson, Patty Kupchak, Linda Pratt & Paul Field 

Forest Restoration Committee

 

P.S. Please save the dates for our upcoming Forest Restoration Projects in 2019:

March 15, Friday

April 12, Friday

May 17, Friday

June 21, Friday

July 19, Friday

August 23, Friday

September 20, Friday

October 18, Friday

November 22, Friday

 

Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

(808) 985-7373

PO Box 653

Volcano, HI 96785

forest@fhvnp.org

Please visit our website: www.fhvnp.org

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