David Y.Ige | DLNR Press Release – SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED FOR KAULANANI FORESTRY PROGRAM

(HONOLULU) – Are you a student or recent grad interested in exploring the role of trees in our communities? The Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program invites applicants for its Tree Canopy Viewer Fellowship Program.

Trees are vital infrastructure that makes communities more livable, healthy and resilient. Specifically, the tree canopy (the leaves, branches, and stems that cover the ground) results in ecological, economic, and human health benefits, including improved air and water quality, increased property values, lower ambient air temperatures and reduced levels of human stress. To visualize the existing tree canopy cover in Hawai’i, DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the US Forest Service are partnering to create the Hawai’i Tree Canopy Viewer.

Four fellows will be selected to carry out projects using Tree Canopy Viewer data to support urban and community forestry in Hawaiʻi. Fellows can explore research questions such as: What is the impact of urban trees on the health of our water, land and our communities? Which trees might be best for future climate scenarios? Whhere are the cities, neighborhoods, schools and parks this should tree plantations be given priority? How and where does Indigenous resource stewardship impact urban trees? Each Fellow will receive a $5,000 stipend and will be supported by mentors who will guide their research and connect them with a network of agencies and industry partners. Applications must be submitted on line before September 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. (HST).

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RESOURCES

(All images/videos courtesy of DLNR)

Hawaiʻi Tree Canopy Viewer and Fellowship Information:

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/lap/kaulunani/tree-canopy-viewer-hawai

Tree Canopy Spectator Bursary Application:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/HawaiiDivisionOfForestryAndWildlife/KaulunaniUrbanCommunityForestryTreeCanopyViewerFellowshipProgram2022

For more information on the Tree Canopy Viewer Fellowship, contact Heather McMillen, Kaulunani Program Coordinator, at [email protected].

Media Contact:

Ryan Aguilar

Communications Specialist

Hawaii Department of Lands and Natural Resources

[email protected]

808-587-0396