Stream Biodiversity and Restoration
Join the effort! To educate the public about Hawai‘i’s native unique freshwater species and the effect of human influence on their populations, a collaborative effort was established between the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Center for Conservation Research and Training (UH-CCRT) and ‘Iolani School. Together, classroom curriculum and field protocols were developed for use in K-12 public and private schools in the Honolulu area, emphasizing environmental awareness through four sequential freshwater stream and watershed lessons (Figure 1).
Please visit our interactive ArcGIS Story Map to learn more about native and invasive stream animals and our stream restoration project in the Ala Wai Watershed!
One of the biggest lessons Uncle Cory teaches students is that aquarium fish do not belong in Hawaii’s streams. It is EASY to NOT release imported animals into the wild, and the “mini Uncle Cory” video above shows what not to do!
With special thanks to the Sullivan Family Foundation, ABC stores, EE Ford Foundation, Kokame Family, 'Iolani School, Hawai‘i Fish Habitat Partnership, and the NFWF Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program for supporting this work.