WHAT CAN YOU DO

 

The health of our soil, water and natural resources depends on how we steward and care for them.

 

Soil

 

Waterways / Watersheds

 

Waterway areas are critical areas for conservation. In the Western United States, these areas (all defined by the presence of water) compose just 2 percent of the landscape; yet more than 80 percent of all wildlife species depend on the habitat that these areas provide (Hanson 1995). Not only that, water resources are critical for many human uses as well, such as drinking water, irrigation, and recreation. They certainly contribute to the aesthetic beauty of Hawai'i also!

 

A watershed is a catch basin for rainfall, fog, mist, and dew that produces clean water. The watersheds in North and South Kona begin in the higher elevation forested mauka regions and end makai, at the shoreline. The water drains from the watersheds to the sea by streams and flood ways or seeps through soils and lava rock to the freshwater aquifers.

 

Native & Forest Lands

 

South Kona is fortunate to still have Native Forest lands, but to maintain forest health, mitigate disease, and manage for preferred tree species… forests require management.

 

The Kona Soil and Water Conservation District partners with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to support forest health practices in South Kona District.

 

Contact us today for more information!

 

Pollinators

 

Approximately 1/3 of the food that we eat depends on pollination by insects.  However, as humans have converted native landscapes and utilized an increasing amount of pesticides on croplands, important pollinator species have been impacted (both native species and managed honey bees).

 

You can promote pollinators species (bees, butterflies, beetles and flies) in your yard by providing forage – flowering species that produce pollen throughout the growing season – as well as providing undisturbed soil (for nesting sites), cover, and reducing pesticide use.

 

The Kona Soil and Water Conservation District is working with local landowners to promote pollinator habitat.