The Nature Conservancy recently announced that Emily Fielding has been selected as Hawaii's marine conservation director.
In a news release, Fielding said, “I am honored and privileged to lead this important work. The passion and commitment of our team, partners, kūpuna and community inspires me every day. Together we can restore Hawaii’s makai resources and effectively manage them on behalf of present and future generations.”
Ulalia Woodside Lee, executive director of The Nature Conservancy Hawaii and Palmyra, had kind words about Fielding.
“For the past 15 years, Emily has helped advance robust, locally-led conservation across Maui Nui," Lee said. "I’m thrilled she will now apply her passion and experience to work on behalf of makai resources and address climate challenges across the state.”
The Nature Conservancy was founded in 1964, with a mission to conserve and protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. This nonprofit environmental organization has made major strides in their conservation efforts, establishing more than 100 marine conservation projects in more than 70 countries since then.
In addition, its team of scientists and researchers has protected more than 125 million acres of land around the world. The Nature Conservancy’s vast network of experts reaches all corners of the globe, gathering data to inform its initiatives and research.
Fielding, considered a renowned and passionate conservation leader, has been working to build collaborative efforts in Maui Nui for more than a year as the conservation director of The Nature Conservancy. Under her guidance, several major initiatives have been established in order to promote effective co-management of the area's natural resources.
For example, the Maui Nui Makai Network is an organization dedicated to increasing local access to coastal resources and promoting sustainable fisheries management. Similarly, the Opihi Partnership works toward protecting this species of limpet by providing education and monitoring opportunities with local communities.
Hui O Ka Wai Ola focuses on restoring watersheds with traditional Native Hawaiian practices, while Maui Hikina Huliamahi works toward restoring coastal ecosystems along the East Coast.
Before joining The Nature Conservancy, Fielding had a distinguished career in coral reef conservation and management planning. She was responsible for developing the management plan for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Her efforts earned her recognition from the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which praised her help in creating and strengthening community involvement in the preservation of coral reefs.
Fielding will partner with a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, community groups, non-governmental organizations and universities, to use a combination of traditional knowledge and modern scientific methods to safeguard coastal ecosystems against the impacts of climate change.
By doing so, they will work together to rebuild coral reefs and other vulnerable areas along the coastline, while also helping to protect human communities that depend on these resources for their livelihoods.
Coral reefs are some of the most important, diverse and beautiful ecosystems on the planet, but they are in danger of disappearing. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences warned that if we don't take action now, coral reefs could stop growing within a decade.
The bright and vibrant coral beds in Hawaii are particularly at risk due to their popularity as a tourist destination, drawing large numbers of people to their shores annually, The Nature Conservancy said.