Conference Theme: Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance

The Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference allows a diverse group of scientists, policymakers, conservation practitioners, educators, students and community members from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to converge and discuss conservation. It’s a time to connect, share and inspire, all with the common goal of caring for our natural resources.

This year, EWC Fellows Dr. Laura Brewington and Dr. Ryan Longman will present at the conference. Panel information is below. The panel numbers are appended to the names and can be cross-referenced in the conference schedule and abstract book.

More information, schedule, and registration are available on the conference website.

Panel Name: Invasive Species and Climate Change: Building a New Community of Practice (#617)

Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 1st, 11 am – 12 pm

Panelists: Dr. Laura Brewington (EWC), Jeff Burgett (USFWS), Heather Kerkering (PICASC)

Summary: Ecosystems in Pacific Islands are being transformed by two large-scale, interacting threats: invasive species and climate change. The East West Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PICASC), Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC), and the Hawaiʻi Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) are exploring the perspectives and needs related to the confluence of invasive species management and climate adaptation. Initial research indicates that invasive species managers are concerned about the impacts of climate change but are not satisfied with the knowledge or information currently available to address these threats. This forum will serve as an interactive dialogue about building a new Management Network in Pacific Islands around this issue.

The objectives are to

1. identify priority lines of research, informed by managers, to examine the interactions between invasive species and climate change;
2. develop management strategies and actions to these combined threats, and strengthen existing successful approaches;
3. create space for engagemement and communication of lessons learned;
4. facilitate a network of resource managers and researchers; and
5. promote relevant research and develop effective information-sharing strategies.

The forum will begin with overview presentations, including the results of a recent survey of invasive species managers in the region and coordination efforts thus far, followed by a facilitated discussion to explore topics highlighted by the survey and next steps. We encourage new and seasoned practitioners, managers, and researchers to participate and take advantage of this networking and information sharing opportunity.

Panel Name: Hawaiʻi Drought Knowledge Exchange (#588)

Date & Time: Thursday, September 3rd, 9:45 am – 10 am

Authors: Dr. Ryan J. Longman (EWC), Dr. Abby G. Frazier (EWC), Christian P. Giardina (USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry), Dr. Elliott Parsons (State of Hawai‘i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve), Sierra McDaniel (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park), Melissa Kunz (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, UHM), Victoria W. Keener (EWC), Laura Brewington (EWC)

Summary: Recent severe El Niño-related drought events and long-term drying trends have negatively impacted landscapes, watersheds, and near-shore areas in Hawaiʻi. Climate variability, climate change, and drought will continue to impact natural resources as future projections suggest continued drying trends in Hawaiʻi, especially in leeward areas across the State. As novel climates emerge, particularly hotter and drier conditions, it is critical that scientists produce locally-relevant, timely, and actionable science products, and that managers are able to access them. While land managers are often tasked with utilizing the “best available science”, they may be unaware of or unable to access available data products as there is no centralized, drought-focused information clearinghouse or formal mechanism to engage with scientists. Both managers and researchers have identified that a knowledge exchange process is needed for drought in Hawai‘i to allow for formal collaboration between the two groups to co-produce drought data and products. To address this need, we established a new program to pilot a focused drought knowledge exchange process between the research community and resource manager user groups, thereby expanding the utility of drought-related products for resource managers. Through collaborations with three partners, we demonstrate how managers can take a more active role in the research process and how more timely and relevant drought-related tools that can inform management planning on different time scales. This project outlines the process for increased collaboration between scientists and managers, and demonstrates the benefits of translated, customized, co-produced drought and climate data products.

This presentation recording will be made available after the presentation date. Please contact Dr. Ryan Longman for the recording.