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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:10 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2006

Volunteers needed for National Public Lands Day

Advertiser Staff

Volunteers are needed for a series of projects being held across the Islands in recognition of National Public Lands Day tomorrow.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources, along with others, including Hawai'i Army National Guard, Lyon Arboretum, Pacific Regional Visitors Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are sponsoring volunteer projects as part of the largest annual single-day volunteer restoration effort for America's public lands.

"We invite volunteers of all ages to participate in local events to help care for the natural areas that provide habitat for native wildlife, recreational outdoor opportunities, and to learn about our special environment," said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

Hawaii events planned tomorrow as part of National Public Lands Day include:

O'ahu

Kalanimoku Native Hawaiian Garden planting project: 8 a.m. to noon at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St. makai side.

Volunteers are needed to help clear an overgrown naupaka hedge, plant a native ground cover in its place, and to help apply a new level of mulch. Wear hat and covered shoes. Gloves and equipment will be provided. For information call Teka Iese at 587-4169.

Bellows Air Force Station trail clearing, clearing invasive species, trash and debris and placement of interpretive signs for World War II revetments. For information call Monica Baco, Hawaii Army National Guard, 733-4360.

Lyon Arboretum in Manoa. Removal of invasive plants from upper arboretum areas, including native Hawaiian plant section, repair and restoration of trails damaged by flooding, planting area in children's garden and cleaning and restoring botanical signage throughout gardens. For information contact Jill Laughlin, 988-0461.

Pacific Regional Visitors Center at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. Learn techniques for improving gardening skills in a hands-on course for applications to grow vegetables in pots. For information call Garland Ireland, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 438-2815.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Waiawa Unit. Removal of mangrove seedlings in the 24-acre refuge to re-establish habitat areas for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. Dress to get muddy and dirty and bring a change of clothes, brimmed hat and sunscreen. Covered shoes are required. For information call Pauline Kawamata, Hawaii Nature Center, at 955-0100.

Kaua'i

Hui o Laka, Kokee Natural History Museum, will have a volunteer work day at Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokee State Park. Volunteers will be cleaning up beneath the collection of conifer trees along the eastern edge of the meadow and also performing routine maintenance on the Nature Trail. Hui o Laka-Kokee Natural History Museum was recently awarded a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority to develop an interpretive program around these historic plantings of conifers in the Kokee area. For information call Kokee Natural History Museum