11/8/2023 – $5 MILLION IN FUNDING HEADED TO HAWAI'I TO ENHANCE FORESTS

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR DAWN CHANG CHAIRPERSON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 8, 2023 $5 MILLION IN FUNDING HEADED TO HAWAI‘I TO ENHANCE FORESTS Federal funds will support tree planting and forest management on private lands Click on photo to view video (HONOLULU) – Communities in Hawaiʻi rely on fresh water from our mauka forests to maintain homes, farms,and businesses. A new federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) will provide $5 million for forest enhancement in Hawaiʻi under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPPP). The funds are awarded to the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and will be leveraged by additional funds provided by the Hawaiʻi Legislature. The funds will support invasive weed control and restoration of native plant communities on non-industrial, privately-owned forest lands. “Our forests don’t follow landowner boundaries,” said DLNR Chairperson Dawn Chang. “Working with private landowners to improve the health of forested areas on their lands benefits us all. We are grateful to our partners at NRCS for their support in this important work.” In addition to the production of fresh water, native forests reduce the risk of flooding and erosion associated with degraded landscapes. Improved forests
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