WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS. Image:

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1 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS Image:

2 FORESTS IN HAWAI I Hawai i s forests have evolved over millions of years to contain some of the worlds most unique species. But the history of our forests was not always a happy one. In the 1800s, hooved animals brought to the islands from other parts of the world were allowed to roam free in the forest, devastating hundreds of thousands of acres of forested lands in Hawai i. 1 Hooved animals, known as ungulates, dig, root and graze in forests, destroying native plants and habitat. Photo Credit: West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership

3 FOREST RESERVES In 1903, the territorial government created the Hawai i Forest Reserve System, which now helps the state to manage and protect nearly 700,000 acres of forested lands. 1 Hawaii's native forests are among the Earth s biological treasures, sheltering more than 10,000 unique species. These forests supply our state with fresh water, protect our world-class beaches from destructive run-off and sediment, and are a vital link to the survival of Hawaiian cultural practices. - The Last Stand: The Vanishing Hawaiian Forest Hooved animals, known as ungulates, dig, root and graze in forests, destroying native plants and habitat. Photo Credit: West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership

4 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS Watershed Partnerships are another way that Hawai i is protecting its native forested areas. Watershed Partnerships are voluntary alliances of both public and private landowners committed to the common value of protecting forested watersheds for water recharge, conservation, and other ecosystem services through collaborative management 1. Photo Credit: There is also the Hawai i Association of Watershed Partnerships (HAWP) which works to increase the effective management and protection of mauka (upper elevation) watershed areas.

5 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS The first Watershed Partnership began in East Maui in Today, there are eleven statewide on five major islands -Kaua i, O ahu (2), Lāna i, Moloka i, Maui (3), and Hawai i (3). Together, these partnerships involve over 71 private landowners and public agencies that cover over 2.2 million acres of land in the state. There is no model like it in the state with respect to watershed management breadth, scope, and efficacy 1. Map Credit:

6 WATERSHED PARTNERSHIPS Over one million acres of critical forestlands are under the different Watershed Partnerships. 1 These areas provide billions of gallons of water to various communities on each island. Photo Credit: Watershed Partnerships work to target the main threats of: 1 Feral ungulates (hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, deer) which destroy forest vegetation leaving grounds bare and soils exposed Invasive weed species which can take over a native forest and impact its efficacy in water collection Wildfires among various other threats

7 WHY WATERSHEDS MATTER At no cost to us, forested watersheds 1 : Recharge our water supply, help with droughts, mitigate flooding by slowing down the water and they provide clean water to communities, agriculture and business Protect oceans for swimming and fishing by controlling erosion and run-off as the roots of trees and other vegetation help to hold soils to keep them from flowing down coral reefs, fisheries, and swimming areas Provide habitat for Hawaii s unique plants and animals that can be found no where else in the world Supply culturally important plants and animals to continue traditions such as hula, storytelling, and medicine Serve as recreational and educational places for communities and schools Protect public health by providing clean water and air Supports the economy through providing watershed management related jobs, opportunities for businesses for needed supplies and materials, and eco-tourism Photo Credit:

8 WHY WATERSHEDS MATTER A University of Hawai i study estimates the Ko olau Mountains on O ahu alone provide watershed services worth up to $14 billion 1. Consider the cost of replicating any of these essential services through technology or engineering to understand how important our forested watersheds are important to both Hawaii s economy and its communities 1.

9 HOW CAN YOU HELP? Here are some everyday actions you can take to Malama our Watersheds 1 Learn about your own watersheds by going out with your island Watershed Partnership and learning about what they do. Visit to find out where your nearest watershed partnership is! Take a hike in your watershed by enjoying one of the state s many hiking trails. Information can be found at the Na Ala Hele website. Or learn about the native habitats and species found in our watersheds by visiting the Hawaii Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for island descriptions and individual species fact sheets. If you are planning to hike in forested areas, prevent the spread of weeds by checking your hiking boots, clothes, and gear to make sure you aren t carrying weed seed hitchhikers. Maintain fences to keep farm and pet animals out of forests Conserve water resources by monitoring your water use and cutting back by taking shorter showers, not letting water served at restaurants go to waste by refilling your cup and not drinking it, planting drought tolerant plants to cut down on garden/lawn watering, and recycling the water you use for other purposes

10 HOW CAN YOU HELP? More everyday actions you can take to Malama our Watersheds 1 Share with others (e.g. friends, family, educators, legislators, etc.) why you think protecting our forested watersheds is important. Ask your nurseries not to sell invasive plant species and purchase and plant native plants. If you see something (e.g. animals, insects, plants, etc.) that looks like it doesn t belong and is not native to Hawaii, call it in at PEST ( ). A useful website that identifies top invasive species of concern can be found at If you see someone or something that might be negatively impacting forested watershed areas or rare species on state lands or state protected species, contact the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement hotline at DLNR ( ). Photo Credit: Eric Tessmer

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