Volunteers Sought for Stewardship at the Summit September through December 2015

Volunteer stewards of the Hawaiian rainforest

NPS Photo/J.Ferracane

News Release Date: September 9, 2015 Help protect the native Hawaiian rainforest at the summit of Kīlauea by volunteering for “Stewardship at the Summit” programs in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, now through December 2015.

Stewardship at the Summit begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. The dates from September through December are: Sept. 18 and Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day); October 2, 17, 23 and 30; November 6, 13, 21, and 28; and December 4, 9, 18, and 26. 

Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native species from growing. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 9 a.m. on any of the above dates. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply.

Volunteers have dedicated more than 5,000 hours of their time, and have restored more than 25 acres of native rainforest within the national park, since 2012. Countless Himalayan ginger, faya, strawberry guava, and other invasive, non-native plants that threaten the native understory near the summit of Kīlauea volcano have been removed. In their place, once-shaded ‘ama‘u and hāpu‘u tree ferns have re-emerged, and pa‘iniu, kāwa‘u, and other important native plants are returning to the stewardship plots. 

-NPS