Ecosystem Restoration
Our Native Hawaiian Ecosystems Are in Peril
If you look up at the Koʻolau mountain range, it appears green and lush. Unfortunately, you are looking at a forest consisting predominantly of alien invasive species.
Alien plants compete with native plants for space and do not provide suitable habitats for native birds, bats, snails, or insects.
Forests composed of native species are better than alien-dominated ecosystems at storing carbon, preventing erosion, and maintaining our aquifers. They hold unique biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth.
For more information, please email seedbank@bishopmuseum.org.
We Can Restore Native Ecosystems! - How Can You Help?
When we restore native-plant-dominated areas, we begin to rebuild entire native biological communities. To do this, we need dedicated workers, financial and in-kind donations, and a large number of adequately sourced native plant propagules (seeds, spores, cuttings). You can help by volunteering your time or donating to support conservation work.
We must act fast before our native species become extinct and are lost forever.
Native Ecosystem Restoration Partnership
Bishop Museum partners with several organizations to restore native ecosystems. We facilitate hands-on conservation experiences for people who want to do real conservation work. Our staff scientists provide biodiversity assessments and monitoring. Our seed bank and planned greenhouse facilities provide much-needed native plant propagules to our partners.
The Seed Bank
This 40-foot container is a native seed storage facility located on the Bishop Museum’s Great Lawn. It donated in 2023 by Terraformation, a global forest restoration company based in Hawaiʻi, our seed bank includes everything needed to dry, process, and store up to five million seeds, which is enough to restore up to 5,000 acres of land every year.
Seeds and spores are strategically gathered for specific restoration projects and stored only as long as needed. They are then germinated, grown to a suitable size, and planted back into natural areas by community partners.
Image: Archyranthes mutica
Image: Bidens hillebrandiana subspecies polycephala
Image: Wikstroemia bicornuta cluster
FAQ
- The following rates and programs are valid only for schools in the Hawaiian Islands (Pre-K through 12th grade).
- For other groups, including college groups (from Hawai‘i and elsewhere), K–12 school groups from the continental US, adult groups, and others, please call Bishop Museum Visitor Experience at 808.847.8251 or email Visitor Groups.
- If you are a Hawai‘i-based, Pre-K through 12th grade school, you can make a reservation as follows:
- Fill out our online Virtual Field Trip Form
- We do not accepts phone reservations. All reservations must start with a reservation form which you can find here.
- Please have the following information ready:
- School/School Type
- Three alternate dates
- Contact Person
- Phone/Email
- Number of students
- Grade or Age
- Number of adults
- Arrival and departure time
- Once a reservation request is received, we first confirm the date of your Virtual Field Trip
- Once the date is confirmed with you, we will send an invoice.
- Once payment is received, we will send you a final confirmation with instructions for the day of your Virtual Field Trip, including the Zoom link and instructions., and your payment receipt.
- Full payment for the field trip must be made no later than three weeks before the scheduled date of the field trip.
- We encourage educators to plan trips during the fall and early into the semester for two reasons:
- A large amount of education research shows that field trips aid in motivation, memory, and generating interest in subjects and,
- Because demand is highest after Spring Break.
- At minimum, reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
- Full payment for the field trip must be made no later than 48 hours prior to the date of your Virtual Field Trip.
- Checks, school purchase orders, credit cards, and cash (must be exact as change is not given) are accepted.
- All Hawai‘i teachers may visit the Museum at no charge any day prior to your scheduled visit to become familiar with the Museum grounds and exhibits. Please contact the Bishop Museum Education Department (848.4168 or schoolgroups@bishopmuseum.org) to set up this visit.
- We strive to balance our field trip visitor experiences with those of our everyday visitors, special events, and public programs. As a result, we cannot book or change field trips within two weeks of the requested date without charging a service fee of $15.00. We may waive this fee under extenuating circumstances.
- Yes. If necessary, you can reschedule your Virtual Field Trip for a later date with at least a two–week notice.
Have questions about our Educational Tours and Activities? Call (808) 847-8251
Conservation Partners
Sponsors
Mahalo to the following organizations for their generous support!
Be a Part of Our Story
Celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific with a gift to Bishop Museum. As a partner in the Museum’s work, you can help to sustain vital collections, research, and knowledge, and inspire exploration and discovery with a tax-deductible donation.
