The state wildlife grant coordination project will provide staff to ensure that the state meets its responsibilities for participation in the state wildlife grant program, including implementing the…

The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources received a $941,105 formula grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the State Wildlife Grants Program (CFDA 15.634) for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award funds administrative and coordination staff to ensure Hawaii's compliance with State Wildlife Grant Program participation requirements, including implementation of the State's 2015 Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), project planning, record-keeping, reporting, field staff supervision, and overall program coordination. The funded coordination function is foundational to advancing all six priority conservation objectives outlined in Hawaii's SWAP: maintaining and restoring native species and habitats; combating invasive species through prevention, early detection and rapid response, and control measures; developing conservation information management programs; strengthening partnerships and cooperative efforts; expanding wildlife education and outreach; and supporting policy changes and enhanced funding for native species protection.

Two sub-awards totaling an undisclosed amount were issued to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to support specialized conservation implementation activities within the program framework. The University of Hawaii will conduct Makamakaole Seabird Monitoring and Protection efforts (sub-award dated November 15, 2025) and Kauai Endangered Seabird Conservation Research and Management activities (sub-award dated October 15, 2025). These sub-awards leverage the university's specialized expertise in environmental research and conservation to directly implement conservation actions aligned with Hawaii's identified species of greatest conservation need and wildlife action plan priorities.

The state wildlife grant coordination project will provide staff to ensure that the state meets its responsibilities for participation in the state wildlife grant program, including implementing the state wildlife action plan (swap) that was revised in 2015, project planning, record keeping, reporting, supervision of field staff, and coordination of SWG program activities. This project will contribute to or implement all of the priority conservation objectives (pcos) outlined in the state of hawaiis 2015 state wildlife action plan (page ES-3): maintain, protect, manage, and restore native species and habitats in sufficient quantity and quality to allow native species to thrive. Combat invasive species through a three-tiered approach combining prevention and interdiction, early detection and rapid response, and ongoing control or eradication. Develop and implement programs to obtain, manage, and disseminate information needed to guide conservation management and recovery programs. Strengthen existing and create new partnerships and cooperative efforts. Expand and strengthen outreach and education to improve understanding of our native wildlife resources among the people of hawaii. Support policy changes aimed at improving and protecting native species and habitats. Enhance funding opportunities to implement needed conservation actions.