The Pacific Southwest Research Station in Hilo, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry & Region 5 State & Private Forestry in Hilo

2011 Education and Outreach Partners and Programs


The education and outreach opportunities described here highlight that HETF scientists and other Institute of Pacific Island Forestry (IPIF) staff work broadly with other agencies, universities and public and charter schools. IPIF supports partner programs by coordinating, hosting and/or leading field or service learning trips, mentoring students and interns, providing camping supplies, personnel or travel support, and sharing scientific expertise with educators.

IPIF partners and programs are highlighted below:

More Kids in the Woods - Starts with a Seed Program
The USFS and other community partners are working together to develop a program aimed at boosting outdoor experience and environmental literacy for K-12 students on east Hawaii Island. Students will take field trips to experience Hawaiian forests, grow native plants, help restore native bird habitats and learn about Hawaii's rich ecology and culture through traditional storytelling. To facilitate these experiences, greenhouses located at two public charter schools, Ke ana la'ahana and Kanu oka aina, will also be refurbished or constructed, providing a working classroom for the students and a source of native planting materials for all students' service projects.

Murals: "Forest, Ocean, Climate and Us" (FOCUS, Wyland Foundation)
Kids visited and painted four Big Island ecosystem murals under the guidance of local educational programs and IPIF scientists.

1. Ohi'a forest (plus snow and lava): Tracy Johnson and the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences
2. Dry forests: Susan Cordell and Ho'ola Ka Makana'a
3. Lava tubes: Katie Friday and Kaumana after-school program
4. Freshwater streams and gobies: Rich MacKenzie, Ayron Strauch and the East Hawaii Cultural Center


AmeriCorps and Youth Conservation Corps Program
2010-2011 AmeriCorps interns James Akau and Leila Kekuewa are working with three schools on the East side of Hawaii, Ka'umeke Ka'eo, Ke ana la'ahana and Laupahoehoe High and Elementary (K-12), to integrate ongoing science and restoration projects into the schools' curriculum. This scope of this program stretches across many of our partner programs. James and Leila are also gaining research experience by supporting a half dozen research projects. Americorps/Youth Conservation Corps Hana Hou volunteers Nathanael Friday and Isaac Ito also supported summer research projects.

PIPES Program
The University of Hawaii at Hilo "Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science" (PIPES) serves as a matchmaker for student applicants, projects and funding. This year 10 Forest Service scientists are mentored 8 PIPES participants. The Forest Service is considered exemplary among PIPES's partners for its outstanding mentors and long standing support.

For more information about education on the HETF, please contact:

Melissa Dean, HETF Coordinator
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
Pacific Southwest Research Station
USDA Forest Service
60 Nowelo Street
Hilo, HI 96720
email: Hawaii_Experimental_Tropical_Forest@fs.fed.us
Phone: 808-933-8121 ext. 151

HETF acts in partnership with the following organizations:

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
USDA Forest Service