Educators, artists come together for Hawaii Conservation Conference

Conservation scientists, managers, and educators will join together at the Hawaii Convention Center for the 2011 Hawaii Conservation Conference from Tuesday, August 2 to Thursday, August 4.

This year’s theme, “Island Ecosystems: The Year of the Forest,” aligns with the United Nations International Year of Forests, which focuses on strengthening the sustainable conservation and development of all types of forests for the benefit of future generations. 

Each year at the conference, the Hawaii Conservation Alliance (HCA) offers a free public “Open House” to give the public an opportunity to meet representatives of HCA’s 19 member organizations and learn about the work they do to conserve Hawaii’s rich natural and cultural heritage from ridge to reef to open ocean. 

This year, the HCA Open House will take place on Wednesday, August 3 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Conference attendees and members of the public are invited to view conference exhibits, poster presentations, and enjoy the 2011 Conservation through Art exhibit on display in the conference exhibit hall from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join educators and natural resources managers for a free session on “Teaching and Learning about the Hawaiian Forest: An Environmental Education Exchange on One of the World’s Greatest Classrooms,” from 3:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Immediately after, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., The Hawaii Environmental Education Alliance (HEEA) will distribute free environmental education resources to teachers and educators. Eddie and Myrna Kamae and Punahou School’s Luke Center for Public Service will be giving out free lesson plans. Educators and natural resources managers will have an opportunity to network, talk story with the panelists, pick up posters, lesson plans and grant ideas from HEEA and more. Teachers who attend the Listen to the Forest film screening will receive a free DVD.

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance (HCA) Open House will include:

·      Viewing of conference exhibits, poster presentations, and the Conservation through Art exhibit including a selection of images from Susan Middleton’s and David Liittschwager’s book and exhibition “Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World’s Most Remote Island Sanctuary,” marine debris art “The Lighter Side of the Albatross” by Susan Scott, marine debris art “Sharkastics” by Cheryl King, and FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate and Us) project murals created by youth, local artists, and conservationists.

·      “Art, Science, and Biodiversity,” presented by photographer, author, and conservationist Susan Middleton.

·      Screening of the 1993 documentary Listen to the Forest with Eddie and Myrna Kamae.

·      Premiere of a new Happy Face Spider song by Jeff Cicatko and his son Jonah, followed by an ukulele performance by Eddie Kamae.

·      Free educational materials, Big Island Candies shortbread cookies, popcorn, and iced tea.

For more information, visit hawaiiconservation.org/2011hcc.