You Can Help!
Important Message: Like the rest of Hawaii, the Watershed Partnerships have tightened their belts to meet current economic realities, which included 40-60% budget cuts in FY10. Currently the state legislature is proposing to cut funding even further. These cuts will severely impact their ability to continue to safeguard Hawaii's forested watersheds, which provide island communities and agriculture with water, protect oceans for swimming and fishing, create opportunities for outdoor education and recreation for schools and residents, and house native habitats for native species (many of which have cultural relevance) found no where else on earth. To act now regarding proposed state funding cuts, visit Act Now Hawaii.
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There are many ways you can support either the individual Watershed Partnerships or HAWP. We want to hear from you on how we can work together to help protect these important areas so contact us today!
Keep in Touch and Updated
If you want to hear about our latest news or learn about events or opportunities to join us in initiatives, let us know and we'll add you to our watershed information network. Contact us at coordinator@hawp.org.
You can also visit individual Watershed Partnerships to identify specific partnership opportunities.
You can also visit individual Watershed Partnerships to identify specific partnership opportunities.
Financial Support
Watershed Partnerships are grant based. However, watershed management is a long-term commitment and we are working to establish long-term sustainable funding to ensure management actions continue into the future. Every dollar received is tax-deductible and a critical investment in maintaining healthy forested watersheds, which benefit us all. To donate, simply visit our 501c3 non-profit partner, Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc., and select HAWP from the drop down menu to donate directly. To learn more about other fiscal sponsorship opportunities to support these important programs, please contact coordinator@hawp.org.
Volunteering, Research, and In-kind Services
Volunteer opportunities can range from field work (e.g. outplanting native plants, pulling invasive weed species, surveys, etc.), office based work (e.g. grant writing, research, developing outreach materials, legal reviews, building databases, etc.) or something as simple as referring a friend and sharing the work of the partnerships. Additionally, individuals or organizations/companies that have technical expertise to provide in-kind services are also appreciated in the areas of fencing, invasive weed control, GIS and mapping, developing outreach and education campaigns, fund-raising, comparative legal analyses, regulatory compliance, and management related research and training.
• Click here for a list of current opportunities;
• Click here to view a less than 2 minute video to see others who have joined to help malama our watersheds (recommend viewing in full screen for sharper images and remember to turn on the sound).
• Click here for a list of current opportunities;
• Click here to view a less than 2 minute video to see others who have joined to help malama our watersheds (recommend viewing in full screen for sharper images and remember to turn on the sound).
Voice Your Support
It's important for elected officials and other decision-makers to hear from you, about your views about watershed management in our state. Whether it's about a particular bill impacting watershed health or just general support for sustaining our watersheds for future generations, they need to hear from you. To find your elected official(s) visit the following websites:
• To find out who your state legislators are visit the state capitol website or to contact all members in both the House and Senate Chambers email reps@Capitol.hawaii.gov (House) or sens@Capitol.hawaii.gov (Senate)
• To contact the governor, click here
• To find out who your county legislators are and to contact your mayor visit: the Kauai County, the Honolulu County, Maui County, and Hawaii Island County
• To find out who your federal legislators are visit: U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives
Jobs
A variety of different positions exist with the Watershed Partnerships. Positions can include coordinator, field supervisor, field technician, outreach and education specialist, administrative assistant, and others. Positions related to Watershed Partnerships can often be found at Hawaii Ecosystems at Risk , Malama Hawaii, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Conservation Alliance.
It's important for elected officials and other decision-makers to hear from you, about your views about watershed management in our state. Whether it's about a particular bill impacting watershed health or just general support for sustaining our watersheds for future generations, they need to hear from you. To find your elected official(s) visit the following websites:
• To find out who your state legislators are visit the state capitol website or to contact all members in both the House and Senate Chambers email reps@Capitol.hawaii.gov (House) or sens@Capitol.hawaii.gov (Senate)
• To contact the governor, click here
• To find out who your county legislators are and to contact your mayor visit: the Kauai County, the Honolulu County, Maui County, and Hawaii Island County
• To find out who your federal legislators are visit: U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives
Jobs
A variety of different positions exist with the Watershed Partnerships. Positions can include coordinator, field supervisor, field technician, outreach and education specialist, administrative assistant, and others. Positions related to Watershed Partnerships can often be found at Hawaii Ecosystems at Risk , Malama Hawaii, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Conservation Alliance.
Specific Initiatives
Whether it be coming out to public meetings, writing to your representatives, hosting a booth at community events, there are many initiatives related to supporting both the individual Watershed Partnerships and HAWP that you can get involved with:
• "Why is it important to protect our forested watersheds?" By answering this question, you can help us build testimonials and stories to use in outreach campaigns and initiatives. Email coordinator@hawp.org with your responses.
• "What are the top 3 things you want to know about Hawaii's forested watersheds?" HAWP is in the process of developing a web-based watershed visitor's center and we want to hear from you about topics that should be featured. Email coordinator@hawp.org with your responses.
• "What are the top 3 biggest threats to our forested watersheds and what should be done about them?" By answering this question, you will help to shape outreach materials and identify needs and actions for protecting our watersheds. Email coordinator@hawp.org with your responses.
Everyday Actions You Can Take to Malama Our Watersheds
• Learn about your own watersheds by going out with your island Watershed Partnership and learning about what they do. Visit our Watershed Partnerships page for information and contacts.
• Similarly, 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
• Support quarantine and invasive species prevention initiatives and programs. To learn about state restricted plant and animal lists and regulations, visit the State Department of Agriculture (both plant and animal regulations) and the Hawaii list of noxious weeds.
• Attend public meetings or hearings to support watershed management efforts (we can let you know about such opportunities if you join our watershed information network by contacting coordinator@hawp.org)
• 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 xeriscape plants to cut down on garden/lawn watering, and recycling the water you use for other purposes
• Share with others (e.g. friends, family, educators, legislators, etc.) why you think protecting our forested watersheds is important (see our watersheds page for reasons).
• Ask your nurseries not to sell invasive plant species or your landscaper not to use invasive plant species. Support the buying and planting of native plants. The Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii maintains a list of invasive plants to avoid and other useful guiding documents. Not sure if the plant you want to buy is invasive or not? You can find out by visiting the Hawaii Weed Risk Assessment. If you or your nursery/landscaper do not see the plant listed, you can contact the Hawaii Weed Risk Assessment by emailing hpwra@yahoo.com with either the botanical name or photo. Click here for the official state noxious weed list.
• 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 808-643-PEST (808-643-7378). A useful website that identifies top invasive species of concern can be found at www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/pests/.
• 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 808-643-DLNR (808-643-3567).
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