Ala Mahamoe Cultural Garden Volunteer Workday

FOR MORE DETAILS & TO SIGN UP VISIT: http://bit.ly/AlaMahamoe_3-30-19

Deadline to sign up is March 27th!!

 

The Ala Mahamoe Cultural Forest Project seeks to restore the dryland forest to a more native-dominated system to increase water recharge capacity in this high-priority watershed area. The project will provide opportunities for students and community members to be involved in land stewardship and conservation work through the establishment of a community-supported garden with native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced cultural plants.

Ala Mahamoe was once abundant in native Hawaiian vegetation and was utilized by cultural practioners for lā‘au lapa‘au (Hawaiian herbal medicine). Decades of degradation caused by cattle ranching have led to the dominance of non-native vegetation such as guinea grass, koa haole, kiawe, silk oak, and other alien species.

Ala Mahamoe is owned by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources and is found within the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve. Initiated by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the Ala Mahamoe Cultural Forest Project continues as a collaboration with the Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership. Made possible by funding from the State of Hawaii Water Security Advisory Group and the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

What to Expect:
We will be removing invasive plants including koa haole and guinea grass, outplant native Hawaiian plants and culturally-useful Polynesian-introduced plants and placing down mulch and weed mat. The area we are working in is typically hot and dry, with high sun exposure. Terrain is uneven in some places and work will be done on easy-to-moderate slopes.

March 30th Work Plan (tentative)
– 8:30am: Meet at Ala Mahamoe gate, all waivers signed and collected
– 8:40am: Introductions, Work Plan, Pass out Tools and Gloves, Safety Briefing
– 9:00 am: Work (rest/snack/water break when needed)
– 11:45am: Walk to Scenic Area up the Road, Watershed Discussion
– 12pm: Walk back to Bottom Gate, Mahalos and done!

*SIGN UP IS REQUIRED, PLEASE SIGN UP ONLINE AT THE LINK POSTED ABOVE*