Nature Staff For Army Is Best Partner

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Oahu Army Natural Resource Program staffers take a break along the rim of Makua Valley while working to protect endangered species in Kahanahaiki. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.

Army conservation efforts here and across Oahu gained national exposure last month when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii with the 2008 Military Conservation Partner Award.

The honor highlights what happens behind the scenes as the 53-member Oahu Army Natural Resource Program staff works daily to keep the Island’s endangered species alive and growing.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serve appreciates the cooperative work of the staff at Schofield Barracks, including maintaining active partnerships with the service, other federal and state agencies, private organizations, landowners and the University of Hawaii,” said Rowan Gould, acting director or the USFWS who presented the award March 19 to Michelle Mansker, chief of the natural resources section, and Alvin Char, environmental division chief, at a conference in Arlington, Va.

Mansker said “threat control"is the main way to manage endangered species here. “We are out counteracting those impacts on a daily basis - rappelling off of cliffs to collect plant species, putting in fences, getting rid of hoofed mammals, banding birds, controlling rats ...Without this kind of work, there’s no way these species would survive long term.”

“This is a great honor and a great tribute to the many, many employees at the garrison who work extremely hard and are very passionate about preserving and protecting our natural resources,” added Col. Matthew Margotta, USAGHI commander.

The Army’s team covers affected areas on Mt. Kaala, the Waianae range and Makua military reservation, among others. They also assisted in protecting plants and animals threatened by the 2007 Waialua fire.