How do urban trees impact the health of our waters, land, and communities? Which trees might be best for future climate scenarios? Which towns, neighborhoods, schools, and parks should be prioritized for tree plantings? How and where does Indigenous resource stewardship impact urban trees?
To find out, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife, has announced paid fellowships to explore role of trees in local communities in its Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program. They invite current college students and recent graduates to apply for its Hawai‘i Tree Canopy Viewer Fellowship program.
“Trees are vital infrastructure that make communities more livable, healthy, and resilient,” says David Wood of DLNR. “Specifically, tree canopy cover (the leaves, branches, and stems that provide coverage over the ground) drives ecological, economic and human health benefits including improving air and water quality, increasing property values, reducing ambient air temperatures, and reducing stress, among others. To visualize our existing tree canopy coverage across Hawaiʻi, The Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service partnered to create
Fellows will carry out projects to support urban and community forestry in Hawaiʻi. They will receive stipends of $5,000 each and work with mentors who will support their research and connect them to a network of agency and industry partners.
Read more about the program and Apply now. The deadline is THIS THURSDAY, Sept. 15.
For questions, contact Heather McMillen, at heather.l.mcmillen@hawaii.gov.