Division of Forestry and Wildlife

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

For Immediate News Release February 12, 2016     

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DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE AGAIN
RECEIVES MAJOR FEDERAL GRANT
2^nd Year in a Row for Watershed Protection

(HONOLULU) – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the State of Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources is the recipient of more than $485,000 as part of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  The program’s focus is on public-private partnerships that enable private companies, land owners, local communities and other non-government partners to deliver innovative watershed-scale projects to keep lands resilient, improve water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, and to promote economic growth in a variety of industries. This award is the second year of the RCPP, and the second year Hawaii’s DLNR has received funding for watershed forest protection.

Suzanne Case, DLNR Chair said, “The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has been extraordinary at leveraging funds provided by the state legislature for watershed protection to receive additional Federal funding. We are grateful to the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) for multiplying our investment in watershed protection. As climate change accelerates and rainfall decreases in our islands, this work is increasingly critical as our forests absorb mist and rain to supply our fresh water. When we protect our forests, we also are protecting our native plants, birds, and other wildlife. As Hawaii hosts the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September, increased funds for our innovative conservation partnerships can demonstrate Hawaii’s leadership internationally.”

Bruce Petersen, Director for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pacific Islands Area said, “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with DLNR to protect our watershed forests by planting native trees and controlling invasive species. These simple actions dramatically reduce erosion on our beaches and the deposit of sedimentation on our coral reefs – truly affecting our islands mauka to makai.”  

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Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Senior Communications Manager
Office of the Chairperson-Communications Office
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0407

[email protected]