The Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), has announced the support for three-year projects with U.S. Forest Service funding from the IRA.
Dr. Heather McMillen, Hawai‘i’s Urban Forester and Kaulunani Program Coordinator, expressed her excitement about the grant recipients, stating: “These projects demonstrate the depth and range of urban and community forestry work happening in Hawaiʻi, as well as the vital role trees play in promoting public health, connection to place, and restoring land to ʻāina.”
Koki Atcheson, Kaulunani IRA Community Partnerships Coordinator, highlighted the significance of urban and community forestry projects, saying: “Urban and community forestry projects are unique in their ability to offer simultaneous benefits to ecological, social, and food systems among many others. These awards are evidence of organizations’ thorough preparation and effort to deepen relationships with nā kumu lāʻau (trees) and by doing so, shape a more resilient future for Hawaiʻi.”
The projects receiving grant support showcase the commitment to enhancing the environment and community well-being in Hawaiʻi through forestry initiatives.