Ledcor Maui team Visits Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve

Ledcor Maui team visits

Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative

The Ledcor Maui team visited Hawaii Island and took a tour of the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative to learn about their impressive preservation efforts. The Waikōloa Dry Forest is an area of 275 acres located close to Waikōloa town about 200ʻ feet above sea level. An arid location that once was a bio-diverse dryland forest that has been overgrown with non-native and invasive species. The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative began in 2011 with a mission to protect, promote and restore a native Hawaiian dryland forest. A big part of the organization’s work is protecting existing Wiliwili trees as well as planting more Wiliwili trees in their preserve area. Since their work began, they have helped to plant over 240 Wiliwili trees.

“The grassroots efforts and hard work of this small but mighty team is apparent in their passion as well as the physical area of land and work that they have restored and continue to do so,” says Naomi Glass of Ledcor Maui. “To tackle 5 acres of land for restoration every year is a massive undertaking.”

Executive Director, Jen Lawson, toured the Ledcor Maui team through the dry forest areas and explained not only about their conservation efforts but also how community involvement is paramount to the success of the organization’s work. They host many educational workshops with kids, volunteers, groups and they have a thrift store that supports their efforts.

To learn more about this organization visit: https://www.waikoloadryforest.org/