Endangered silversword with yellow faced bee. Photo credit: Janice Wei
HAWAIʻI NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi — November 5, 2026 — Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) has received a two-year innovation grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF) to help protect Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s extraordinary native ecosystems through advanced aerial technology.
Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP), in partnership with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, has received an innovation grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF) to use aerial technologies to protect Hawaiʻi’s extraordinary native ecosystems. The two-year project will use thermal imaging on uncrewed aircraft systems and helicopter-based LiDAR to detect invasive non-native ungulates (hooved animals like pigs and sheep) and identify fence breaches across challenging volcanic terrain.
“Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique ecosystems on Earth, including species found nowhere else in the world. These innovative technologies will help the park more efficiently detect invasive animals, identify vulnerable areas, and focus our efforts on protecting the native and irreplaceable plants and animals for future generations,” said Elizabeth Fien President and CEO of FHVNP.
Hurricane Lala caused extensive damage to protective fencing, allowing invasive animals to enter protected areas and putting native ecosystems at greater risk. The event underscored the need for faster, more efficient ways to assess fence conditions and detect invasive animals across the park’s rugged, remote terrain.
This is part of NPF's latest $12 million investment to support innovation to strengthen parks, expand what is possible, and ensure these extraordinary places endure for generations.
About Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the park's interpretive, educational, and conservation efforts. We are the official philanthropic fundraising partner of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and operate under a formal philanthropic partnership agreement with the National Park Service. Through partnerships and community engagement, FHVNP works to preserve the park's natural and cultural resources for future generations.
About The National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation is a nonprofit leader and catalyst in safeguarding America's 430+ national parks and ensuring they are accessible and enjoyable — for everyone, forever. As the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, NPF works to conserve and preserve threatened wildlife and land, inspire the next generation of park stewards, tell the complete story of American history, and ensure a world-class visitor experience.