Volunteers Sought to Help Restore Habitat in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with the Kure Atoll Conservancy, is seeking habitat restoration volunteers to work at the Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Hōlanikū, or Kure Atoll, is a part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and is located 1,400 miles northwest of Oʻahu.

Hōlanikū provides important habitat for wildlife, including the endangered Laysan duck and Hawaiian monk seal. Eighteen species of seabirds nest on Hōlanikū including the black-footed albatross and Christmas shearwater.

“Over the last 20 years DLNR has been working to transform Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary from a tangled mess of weeds to a resilient functioning ecosystem that supports over one million nesting seabirds, hundreds of shorebirds and 80 endangered Laysan ducks,” Kure Atoll Conservancy Executive Director Cynthia Vanderlip said. “This work was done by many hands who worked year-round to remove the most destructive weeds and plant native Hawaiian plants. These natives prevent erosion and increase the nesting success of seabirds.”

Volunteers selected will work in a field camp from October 2022 through April 2023. Although the program objectives are diverse, the majority of the time is dedicated to invasive plant removal. Volunteers also will be trained in safe animal handling and participate in beach cleanups to remove wildlife entanglement and ingestion hazards.

To apply to participate in the field camp, click here.

For more information about the Kure Atoll Conservancy, go to http://www.kureatollconservancy.org/.