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Hawai‘i Community College in Hilo celebrates milestone of conservation education program

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Tropical Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management students Alison Lofton and Tiala Kailianu-Carvalho transplant native Hawaiian plants for out-planting. (Photo courtesy: University of Hawai‘i)

Hawai‘i Community College’s Tropical Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management program is celebrating 25 years of training local students for careers in conservation and natural resource management across the state.

“We are the only college here in Hawai‘i that trains undergraduates for doing conservation [work] after an associate of science degree, which is really amazing,” said program director Orlo Steele.

The program on the Hilo campus blends academics with hands-on training in agroforestry, forest surveying, silviculture (the growing and cultivation of trees) and Geographic Information Systems. Students gain experience using drones and field sampling tools, and gain skills, such as compass navigation and plant identification. Hawaiian cultural knowledge is also integrated into forest management practices.

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“I’m doing an internship right now with the U.S. Forest Service, and I’m walking into it hitting the ground running,” said Michael Davis, a second-year student in the Tropical Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management program. “I know exactly what to do. There are a lot of spaces in Hawai‘i that haven’t been cared for in a long time, and it’s our responsibility to do something about it.”

The program has produced more than 120 alumni, many of whom now work with organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy. Several have pursued advanced degrees, further contributing to Hawaiʻi’s conservation efforts.

“Our graduates have a positive impact on conservation policy and decision-making in Hawaiʻi because they bring local knowledge and a deep understanding of our unique ecosystems,” Steele said. “They’re not just conservationists; they’re ambassadors for Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural heritage.”

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An associate in science conservation track, in collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Kapi‘olani Community College has been proposed. This initiative aims to help students transition into higher degree programs, expanding career opportunities in conservation and resource management across the islands.

For more information about the program, contact Steele at 808-934-2623 or email at orlo@hawaii.edu.

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