US DOI pledges $16 million to prevent extinction of Hawaiian forest birds

The funding will support a new Cornerstone Initiative for the Conservation of Hawaii's Forest Birds, part of the Department's Restoration and Resilience Framework. The framework is guiding $2 billion in investments in the bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Reduce Inflation Act to restore land and waters and increase climate resilience. Secretary Harland announced the historic funding during a speech at the Hawaii Conservation Conference in Honolulu.

"Hawaiian forest birds are national treasures and irreplaceable components of our natural heritage. Birds like the Sickle-billed Grenade, False-Nested Yellow Parrot, and Kau Island Woodfinch are found nowhere else in the world and have been evolved over thousands of years to adapt to the unique ecosystems and habitats of the Hawaiian Islands," said Deb Haaland. "Thanks to President Biden's 'Invest in America' agenda, we are working with the Native Hawaiian community and our partners to protect Hawaiian forest birds now and for future generations."

Historically, there have been more than 50 different species of honey reptile birds in Hawaii. That number has now dropped to just 17, as a series of threats have caused its population to plummet. Habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and diseases, such as mosquito-borne avian malaria, are huge threats affecting the birds of the Hawaiian Islands.

In December 2022, the U.S. Department of the Interior released the Hawai'i Forest Bird Extinction Strategy. The strategy provides the department's bureaus with a shared vision for an integrated approach to preventing the extinction of Hawaiian forest birds by applying science-based methods, a variety of conservation techniques, and Native Hawaiian biocultural knowledge and practices. This approach leverages resources and expertise to achieve shared goals through close coordination with federal and non-federal partners.

President Biden's Invest in America agenda provides funding, allocating substantial resources to the conservation efforts needed to save these endangered and threatened species from extinction. Without this funding, experts assess that two species could become extinct within the next year.

The Cornerstone Initiative for Hawaii Forest Bird Conservation will pursue several key goals, including:

Captive Care : Expand captive care programs and facilities to provide captive care for the most endangered birds.

Eliminating invasive mosquitoes : Avian malaria has ravaged Hawaiian forest bird populations in recent years. Implement cutting-edge strategies to control and eradicate invasive mosquitoes that transmit avian malaria,

Establishment of new bird populations through translocation : Relocating new bird populations to high-altitude refuges within the Hawaiian Islands where avian malaria has not yet occurred will help prevent bird extinctions.
Research and Monitoring : Extensive scientific research and monitoring is conducted to ensure mosquito control efforts are effective and to enhance our understanding of mosquito and forest bird biology. This knowledge will inform more effective conservation strategies.

Native Hawaiian Community Engagement : Actively engage Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and experts at every major stage of conservation action through consultation, knowledge sharing, agreements, and traditional practices. Not only does this contribute to overall forest bird recovery efforts, but it also maintains the biocultural relationship of Native Hawaiian communities with forest birds.

Article source: cleantechnica