Celebrate Something We All Share: Our Public Lands!
On September 28, 2019, join hundreds of thousands of people at sites throughout the nation and take part in National Public Lands Day (NPLD). NPLD is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands.
We will spend a day in the forest doing invasive weed control to prepare a place for the Kahanhaiki Ko’oko’olau Seed Orchard! This “seed orchard” in the Wai’anae Mountains of O’ahu will serve as a resource for harvesting seeds from native ko’oko’olau (Bidens torta) plants for future restoration efforts. Once the seeds are ripe, staff will make collections and cultivate the ko’oko’olau in the Army’s plant nurseries. When the plants are ready, natural resources staff and volunteers will outplant the ko’oko’olau into the wild to improve habitat for endangered plants and animals.
PROJECT: We will remove invasive weeds such as strawberry guava and Koster’s curse using small hand tools (e.g., hand saws, pruners). We will apply a caution-labeled herbicide (Garlon4) to the cut stumps and stems of invasive weeds.
After the service portion of the day, we will take time to hike throughout the Kahanahaiki area, enjoying views of Pahole, Makua, and ‘Ohikilolo. Staff will provide natural resource and cultural history information on the area as we hike along the trail.
HIKING TIME: 2.5 to 3.5 hours (round trip)
DIFFICULTY: Moderate; some elevation gain. Some steep drop-offs along the trail.
WHAT TO BRING: Long pants, long sleeve shirt and shoes with good traction. Please review the suggested packing list.
All weeding tools and gloves will be provided.
TENTATIVE AGENDA:
- Meet at Army natural resources baseyard
- Drive to trailhead (~1 hour)
- Unload vehicles; safety briefing (~15 minutes)
- Hike to project site (~15 minutes)
- Project demonstration (~15 minutes)
- Weed control (~2 hours)
- Lunch (1/2 hour)
- Hike to Makua overlook (~1.25 hours)
- Hike back to vehicles (~1 hour)
- Load up trucks (~15 minutes)
- Return drive to Army Natural Resources baseyard (~1 hour)
- Clean up gear; pau (~15 minutes)
Contact outreach@oanrp.com to register for the event or sign up online at www.oanrp.ivolunteer.com.
We are also hosting another NPLD event on Thursday, September 26 at our Schofield Barracks Nursery.
Volunteer Opportunities 