WORKSHOP SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS WETLAND MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY OF ENDANGERED WATERBIRDS

HONOLULU, September 30, 2011 -- The 2011 Hawaiian Wetlands and Waterbird Workshop is scheduled for October 4-6th at the Koolau Golf Club in Kaneohe. Geared for managers, researchers, and conservationists, this training opportunity will emphasize on-the-ground solutions to challenges of wetland management.

"We are proud to sponsor this event because our core mission is to help people help the land," said Angel Figueroa, Director of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands Area.

NRCS has provided funding help restore habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds on Hawaii. One of the field trips associated with the workshop will visit Kawainui Marsh, where NRCS has funded a portion of the wetland restoration work happening there through the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning to private landowners. In addition, NRCS administers several cost-share programs authorized through the Farm Bill to help producers with their conservation needs. For example, the Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in this program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.

Along with NRCS, sponsors for this workshop include the Hawaii Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Pacific Coast Joint Venture and its state arm, the Hawaii Wetland Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Training topics will cover wetland and waterbird research updates, waterbird and habitat monitoring, restoration and management techniques, community involvement in restoration and management, avian botulism response, and predator control.

To learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs available through the Farm Bill, please visit www.pia.nrcs.usda.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/nrcs_pia. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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