On behalf of Laukahi: the Hawai‘i Plant Conservation Network, we want to invite you to review and utilize the Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation (Strategy). Building on the legacy of so many dedicated professionals in locating, describing, protecting and conserving the Hawaiian flora over the past several decades, Laukahi – translated as “single leaf” in the Hawaiian language - is a recently formalized effort to collaboratively implement the Strategy to protect Hawai‘i’s native flora. Mahalo to the Hau’oli Mau Loa Foundation and the Atherton Family Foundation, who have provided support for planning and implementing this work.
The Strategy promotes terrestrial pant conservation in Hawai‘i, to preserve its unique flora and its essential role in ecosystem function and services. It draws on the five objectives identified in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), developed by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Under these objectives, the Strategy identifies 20 specific targets, some of which are identical to GSPC targets and others are adapted for Hawai‘i’s specific conservation goals. In order to make progress toward these targets, the Strategy will be implemented in three phases. Phase 1 aims to strengthen capacity of ex situ and in situ efforts and has two primary conservation goals: 1) building capacity at ex situ facilities and 2) increasing the value and size of ex situ collections through increased collecting from wild populations so that genetic diversity is well-represented. Phase 2 will expand preservation and restoration of in situ plant communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Phase 3 aims to further strengthen connections between people and our environment – to continue raising awareness of Hawai‘i’s exceptional biodiversity and expand outward from the conservation community to engage more people in the protection and preservation of our native plants and habitats.
The Strategy also calls for the development of Laukahi to strengthen collaboration among groups working to conserve Hawaiian plants. It aims to serve the ongoing efforts of conservation projects and initiatives undertaken by a multitude of individuals, institutions and organizations. Some of the benefits of establishing a network include: a) increased information exchange and efficiency of conducting in situ actions among conservation organizations (by increased awareness of all activities), b) the ability to monitor the success of our collective conservation efforts through data sharing designed to protect sensitive data, and c) the ability to attract new funding sources that value the shared goals among partnering organizations. The Laukahi Network invites all programs involved with conservation efforts in habitat protection and rare plant recovery in Hawai‘i to join in this collaborative effort to implement the Strategy. Laukahi operates under guidance from the Advisory Council and initially, a full-time Network Coordinator to lead the planning, project coordination, and collaborative work of the emerging network. Obtaining funding and support for increasing staffing to execute the work outlined in the Strategy is an immediate priority.
Please review and utilize the documents. These documents are to be a tool to support outreach, awareness and fundraising efforts by those already working toward the outlined goals, as well as to demonstrate the need for Laukahi. They are meant to be referenced when describing each partners’ commitment to the overall goals of the Strategy and their individual roles within it. We invite suggestions on how these documents can: a) be improved in the future to help focus ongoing efforts toward shared goals for securing local and global biodiversity, b) be referenced in justifying and reporting on individual efforts and c) inspire collaborative projects. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information, questions, and to provide feedback and comments.
Mahalo,
Laukahi Advisory Council
| Laukahi_flyer.pdf |
