Flocking together to keep the heritage in this World Heritage Site on the Big Island

You won’t see any wild turkeys trotting around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The gobblers — not native to the islands; they were the first bird species introduced to Hawaiʻi, brought to the Big Island in 1788 from China — instead prefer the dry, higher elevations of Waimea, Waikōloa and the Kohala Coast.

Kalij pheasants, however, are seen footing it around the park.

Many visitors mistake the pheasants, another bird species not native to the islands, for nēnē, the native Hawaiian geese and Hawaiʻi state bird.

Kalij pheasants were introduced in the 1960s to Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch about the same time their Thanksgiving Day cousins were becoming more widespread on the island, both as game birds.

With no major predators on the island, the pheasants bred and spread, until today when they are often seen in the national park and jutting along its trails.

“Unfortunately, kalij also spread the seeds of invasive non-native plants,” said a park social media post on Thanksgiving Day.

It does not target its pheasant residents for eviction, as they are protected within its borders, but Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park kicks out every invasive plant that grows from the seeds they spread and any others it can find.

Whether it’s Koster’s curse, faya, Himalayan raspberry, its neighbor Himalayan ginger or the many others that try to establish roots inside the Big Island World Heritage Site, park staff and an army of volunteers working with them seek out non-native flora on a regular basis to ensure native Hawaiian plants don’t get pushed out and can thrive.

The park’s socia media post thanked staff members working on Thanksgiving Day — yes, the park was open — and expressed gratitude especially for the team that works behind the scenes protecting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from those invasive, non-native introduced plant pests.

“A big mahalo to the volunteers, Guardians of the Trail, our park staff and cooperating partners who keep the heritage in your World Heritage Site!” the post exclaimed.

The team can always use a few more hands, too. Lucky there’s an easy weekly way to get involved.

Anyone interested in helping clear Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park of invasive plants can volunteer as part of the park’s Stewardship at the Summit Rainforest Restoration program on most Saturdays throughout the year.

Just meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at 8:45 a.m. — this month the dates are Dec. 7, 14 and 21 — at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Even keiki can participate, but kids younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with written consent.

Be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. You should also bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided.

Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for more information.

“Mahalo to everyone who works so hard to keep Hawaiʻi looking amazing,” a commenter replied to the park’s post on Instagram. “I can’t imagine how much time and effort that takes.”

Shirley Schaden wished the park and its staff a happy Thanksgiving in her comment on the park’s Facebook version of the post before adding her thanks for the work staff, volunteers and their partners do to protect and preserve the park.

“Mahalo for the beautiful park you keep for all of us to enjoy,” said Schaden.

To learn about all of the park’s volunteer opportunities and other events, visit the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park website and follow it on Facebook, Instagram, X and Flickr.