Each year at the conference, the HCA awards prizes to the top student oral and poster presenters. Monetary awards were sponsored by the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance and The Wildlife Society-Hawai'i Chapter.
The mission of TNC Hawai‘i is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. In the Hawaiian archipelago, our ecoregional goal is to bring active, protective management to representative, viable, native ecological systems and species of the Hawaiian Archipelago, and to thereby sustain the greatest possible complement of native Hawaiian biodiversity into the future. Working with partners, threats will be abated, health of terrestrial and freshwater ecological systems will be restored and maintained, and the unique biodiversity of the islands will be carried forward as an irreplaceable asset, meeting human needs and fulfilling ecosystem functions that serve all life in the islands. The Conservancy in Hawai‘i maintains a network of preserves, participates in watershed and other conservation partnerships, engages in active management of natural areas, and works to strengthen policies and capacity for conservation in Hawai‘i.
www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/hawaiiBishop Museum’s mission since founding has been to study, preserve and tell the stories of the cultures and natural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. Within this mission, serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum. The Museum gives priority generally to activities associated with the collections, and we favor activities that integrate culture and natural history (or the environment) rather than approaching them separately. Current thematic priorities are: Protecting Our Collections and Making Them More Accessible; Advancing Native Hawaiian Culture and Education; Strengthening Connections to Hawai‘i’s Schools; Conserving Cultures and the Environment in the Pacific; Opening a Science Center at Kalihi; Renovating Our Historic Buildings; and Strengthening Our Neighbor Island and Polynesian Presence.
www.bishopmuseum.orgThe mission of USDA/FS is through research, education, and demonstration, we provide scientific and technical information needed to restore, protect, and sustain forests of the Pacific for purposes of conservation and utilization. Our core focus research areas include ecological restoration at stand to watershed scales, effects of global change on wetlands, ecology and control of invasive species, and climate change impacts on Pacific island ecosystems.
www.fs.fed.us/r5The mission of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is to enrich life through discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions.
www.ntbg.orgThe goal of the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai‘i Natural Resource Program is to enable the installation to comply with the Endangered Species Act while maintaining military mission readiness. The Army in Hawai‘i has over 100 listed species on their lands; which account for one-third of the nation’s and the State’s total listed species!
www.25idl.army.mil/dpwThe mission of the Division of Aquatic Resources is to manage, conserve and restore the state’s unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations. The DAR manages the state’s aquatic resources and ecosystems through programs in commercial and recreational fisheries and resource enhancement; aquatic resources protection, habitat enhancement, and education.
hawaii.gov/dlnr/darThe mission of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is to serve as the trustee for the nation’s system of marine protected areas, to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity and cultural legacy.
sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/faqs/welcome.htmlThe Department of Agriculture’s (HDOA) mission is to develop and promote agriculture as a significant and respected driver of Hawai‘i’s economy. HDOA has many varied responsibilities including establishing and maintaining irrigation systems, managing agricultural lands, marketing and business development, preventing the entry of invasive species into the state, pest and disease control and eradication, maintaining healthy livestock industries, rabies prevention, and food safety and quality assurance programs. The Plant Pest Control and Plant Quarantine programs within the Plant Industry Division have a strong conservation focus as they are responsible for the prevention, early detection, response, eradication and control of invasive species.
hawaii.gov/hdoaThe mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. The National Wildlife Refuge System manages 22 National Wildlife Refuges and 4 Marine National Monuments in Hawai‘i and the broader Pacific encompassing 215 million acres.
www.fws.gov/pacific/refugesThe mission of the Kamehameha Schools is to fulfill Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s desire to create educational opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capability and well-being of people of Hawaiian ancestry. It is the policy of KS to manage their lands and resources to optimize the balance of educational, cultural, economic, environmental, and community returns and steward resources in an ethical, prudent and culturally appropriate manner.
www.ksbe.eduThe National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
www.nps.gov/state/hi/index.htmThe mission of UH Mānoa/CCRT is to create the premier multi-agency, trans-disciplinary research and education center in the Pacific Asia Region whose mission is to develop a new paradigm for addressing ecosystem and human health issues within a socio-ecological systems framework that includes the spiritual values of traditional cultures.
www.hawaii.edu/ccrtThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is: “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” The Service manages migratory birds and nationally significant fisheries; conserves and restores vital wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Refuge System; protects and recovers endangered species; administers a Federal Assistance program; and helps other governments with conservation efforts.
www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservicesTo ma - lama (protect) Hawai‘i’s people and environmental resources and OHA’s assets, toward ensuring the perpetuation of the culture, the enhancement of lifestyle and the protection of entitlements of Native Hawaiians, while enabling the building of a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and nation, recognized nationally and internationally.
www.oha.orgThe mission of DLNR/DOFAW is to responsibly manage and protect watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources and provide outdoor recreation and sustainable forest products opportunities, while facilitating partnerships, community involvement and education. Ma-lama ika ‘Āina
hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofawThe Natural Resources Conservation Service works in partnership with private land owners and managers to protect, enhance, and preserve soil, water, air, plant and animals using sound science and professional expertise. Through our mission of “Helping People Help the Land,” we provide technical assistance and financial incentives for the implementation of conservation systems that help us to realize our vision of “Productive Lands, Healthy Environment.”
www.nrcs.usda.govThe mission of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service in the Pacific Islands region is to achieve healthy marine ecosystems that provide for stability in fishery resources, recovery of endangered and threatened marine species, and enhanced opportunities for commercial, recreational, and cultural activities in the marine environment.
www.fpir.noaa.govThe mission of PIERC is to conduct and interpret scientific research to provide understanding and technologies needed to support and implement sound management and conservation of our Nation’s biological resources occurring in Hawai‘i and other Pacific island locations.
biology.usgs.gov/pierc
