We Fund: Refuge Programs
An important aspect of our mission is to provide funding to underwrite the costs of capital projects, supplies, programs and other activities of our three national wildlife refuges.
National Wildlife Refuges are funded through allocations from the Department of Interior. Each year, there are needs not covered within their budget. As the dedicated nonprofit Friends Group that supports the work of Kīlauea Point NWR, Hanalei NWR and Hulēʻia NWR, we serve as a gateway to help channel the goodwill of our community members and friends to the areas in need by our Refuge partners.
Some of the costs we have underwritten include restoration of the water infrastructure system at Hanalei NWR, binoculars for biologists, invasive animal traps, training and support for FWS volunteers, avian botulism detector dog supplies and training, educational signage, support for public events, wildlife viewer repairs, native plants for wildlife habitat restoration, supplies for the native plant nursery, materials and supplies for the Environmental Education program, Lighthouse restoration and maintenance, and much more.
Avian Botulism mitigation
As one aspect of our work to support the programs and needs of our Refuges partners, we are honored to provide annual support to Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi. They develop and provide trained scent detection dogs and human handlers that work together to help identify sick and deceased birds afflicted with avian botulism. The efficacy of their work greatly reduces the overall staffing needs to mitigate the impacts of avian botulism. Mahalo nui loa to our friends at Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi and to the team members who generously donate their time and expertise to help save our wildlife!
Volunteer Debra Gochros with Xena and Luna
We are only able to fulfill our mission thanks to the generosity of our generous donors and members, and with the proceeds of sales from our Nature Store. Mahalo nui loa!
