There are many ways to help dryland forest communities. Foremost is not giving up — no matter how little remains. You can start by sharing knowledge and a sense of caring, so that others become aware of these precious lands.
Add your name to a volunteer list at one of the sites below. Most run regular public days.
Several sites host schools, scout troops, civic clubs and businesses for educational and service days.
Landscaping tools, fencing material, gloves, benches, shade canopies, GPS units — sites need all of it.
These are the dry forest sites that regularly host volunteers and are accessible to the public. All are on Hawaiʻi Island — a statewide picture, covering dry forest work on Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu, is the next step for this page.
A 13-acre garden in historic Kealakekua ahupuaʻa holding over 200 native plant species, many rare or endangered. Its mission supports Hawaiian cultural traditions of land use and plants. The Friends of the Garden hold volunteer days, usually Saturday mornings.
The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with Hui Aloha Kīholo, is restoring Kīholo Fishpond, including revegetation of the coastal dryland forest around it. Monthly volunteer workdays.
A voluntary coalition of private landowners and public land managers restoring and protecting the native forested watersheds of Kohala Mountain — both wet and dry forest. The Kohala Center stewards the area through its Kohala Stewardship Program and runs stewardship days.
Two restoration areas on Mauna Kea — Puʻu Mali (5,140 acres, north slope) and Kaʻohe (1,400 acres, west slope) — restoring māmane forest to mitigate habitat loss for the endangered palila. State land formerly leased for cattle ranching, managed by DOFAW and PCSU.
Roughly 37,600 acres of public land managed by DOFAW, holding some of the best remaining dry forest remnants and under active restoration. One to two volunteer days a month including an ʻOhana Day for families, and it accommodates large groups — schools, scout troops, civic clubs, businesses.
A non-profit managing a 275-acre dry forest preserve and restoration project. Its outreach includes the Future Foresters programme for school children, plus visitor and volunteer programmes. Volunteer days generally fall on the second and fourth Saturdays, October through April.
If you are a student interested in internships and field learning, two long-running programmes place people into conservation work across the islands.
Mahalo nui for your help.