Workshop’s focus on conservation, restoration of private lands

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is offering a free workshop on conservation and restoration of private lands.

“Landowner Assistance: Environmental Conservation and Restoration” will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Kapa‘a’s Aloha Beach Hotel.

Workshop topics will include how to restore private land to native forest, how to improve native wildlife habitat on private land, and how to address problems with invasive species on private land.

“DLNR believes there is a critical need to engage Hawai‘i’s private landowners as partners in the conservation and restoration of habitat for our native plants and animals,” Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson, said. “We are working to establish state, federal, and private partnerships to more effectively conserve and protect our native ecosystems and watersheds.”

The workshop is a collaborative effort between multiple state and federal agencies to inform private landowners about several programs that can provide funding and technical assistance relating to land conservation and restoration.

Participating agency staff will assist private landowners with various conservation concerns such as restoration planning, out-planting and evaluation as well as invasive species concerns and controls.

Representatives from DLNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service and the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council will be present to provide information and answer questions.

A separate workshop on conservation easements and land acquisitions will be held at a later date.

Persons requiring special accommodations are asked to call at least four days before the meeting. Space is limited. Deadline for registration is Wednesday.