Schofield Program Keeping Hawaii Green

Volunteers from Schofield Barracks work in the field protecting Hawaii’s threatened and endangered species. U.S. Army photo.

The Army’s local “green” team joined state and national efforts to share the message during Invasive Species Awareness Week.

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii’s natural resources program manned an information booth at the state Capitol March 3 to highlight its programs and to spread the word about invasive species in Hawaii.

The program also offered several educational and volunteer events throughout the month.

As part of the Army’s conservation and training requirements, it has created a team dedicated solely to the prevention, monitoring and control of invasive species.

The staff instructs soldiers about natural resources prior to training, and implements training requirements to stop the spread of the invaders.

Other efforts include habitat surveys, plant removal, and most recently a policy to use native plants in landscaping on Army installations in Hawaii.

“Combating invasive species takes our collective efforts,” explained Michelle Mansker, the Army’s natural resources program manager on Oahu.

“We’ve had early successes, like working with the state Department of Agriculture and the Oahu Invasive Species Committee to eradicate coqui frogs near Schofield. The key is continuing to gain momentum on these joint, innovative efforts.”

The Army partners with more than 30 local, state and federal agencies for the conservation and protection of more than 100 threatened and endangered island plants and animals.

Each month, the Army conducts volunteer service trips to help remove invasive species.

To join the cause, call 656-7741 or register online at oanrp.ivolunteer.com.