Protecting Habitat

Protection of critical habitat is essential for the conservation and recovery of Hawaii's endemic species. This includes saving habitat on land for endangered native plants and Hawaii's state bird the nene as well as securing habitat in the sea for the Hawaiian monk seal and other marine species. Such measures are especially true as habitat loss, invasives and climate change continue to threaten endangered species.

Endangered life - There are currently 329 species listed on the federal Endangered Species Act from Hawaii. This is more than any other state. Reasons for such biological destruction range from how life evolved in isolation with poor defensive resistence against invasivepredators and diseasesto living on small islands where there is nowhere else to take refuge when local habitat is destroyed. Nearly one-third of 800 bird species are endangered or in decline, according to a 2009 U.S. governmrent report. More of these birds are in Hawaii than any other state.

Daunting challenges - Though the sheer numbers appear daunting to reverse, more people are understanding the severe situation Hawaiian wildlife is facing. And recent action has taken place that directs more people and resources at solving the mass extinction underway on the Hawaiian Islands.

Recent conservation actions:

• One of the most important discoveries to improve conservation efforts are fossil findings in lava tubes. Researchers have discovered that bird species which may appear to only live on one or two islands in specific habitat have historically lived in many different habitats throughout the islands. With this data, conservationists can begin to protect not only habitat where birds and other species are found currently, but create protected corridors and preserves where these species used to live.


• In 2006, former President Bush declared the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands that house tropical fish, sea turtles and monk seals as the most environmentally protected area of ocean in the world. By making this area a national monument, the former president was directing resources to help clean up garbage and fishing gear that ensnare marine wildlife. However, the cleanup process has been slow.
  


• In 2009, the Hawaii Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program was established. The program provides resources to landowners who agree to "improve water quality and restore wildlife habitat," according to the Environmental Defense Fund. It also includes special provisions for landowners to erect fences that will help keep out invasive species.