The pacific cooperative studies unit with the university of hawaii will proactively improve the ability for oahu national wildlife refuge complex to respond to wildfire and invasive species risks…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $250,000.05 Cooperative Agreement to the University of Hawaii under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654). The project will improve the ability of the Oahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex to respond to wildfire and invasive species risks, and assist with habitat restoration. Key activities include collecting, propagating, and outplanting native plants, removing invasive plants, controlling small predators, monitoring fence integrity and ungulate presence, and fostering public awareness. This project will reduce the threat of wildfire and the spread of invasive plant and mammalian predator species, thereby protecting and restoring habitat for endangered, threatened, and other rare flora and fauna. The project period runs from September 1, 2024 to July 1, 2029.

The pacific cooperative studies unit with the university of hawaii will proactively improve the ability for oahu national wildlife refuge complex to respond to wildfire and invasive species risks and assist with habitat restoration by increasing on-site capacity. Activities to be performed include: collecting, processing and storing native seeds propagating and outplanting native plants removing invasive plants controlling small predators monitoring the integrity of ungulate exclusion fencing monitoring for ungulate presence and fostering public awareness and stewardship of hawaiis native species and watersheds. As a result of this project, the threat of wildfire to the area and the spread of high impact invasive plant and mammalian predator species into pristine native habitat will be reduced. This project will benefit the american people by protecting and restoring habitat for endangered, threatened, and other rare flora and fauna.