The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Invites the Community to Celebrate Earth Day at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) invites the community to celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Keālia Pond NWR visitor center located at Milepost 6 Maui Veterans Highway.
Since 1970, Earth Day has been observed around the globe as a day to raise environmental awareness and involve citizens and communities in creating a cleaner, healthier world. Earth Day inspired the passage of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act that today still play significant roles in protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Earth Day at Keālia Pond NWR is a free public event for visitors of all ages to enjoy and appreciate the Refuge’s resources. Local partners such as Hawai’i Audubon Society, The Digital Bus, Maui Forest Bird Recovery, ReTree, and Friends of Keālia Pond NWR will be in attendance with resource tables and hands-on activities. Attendees will be able to plant seeds, take home a native plant, and learn about the importance of restoring ‘āina from the Service’s Habitat Restoration team. The event will conclude with a staff-led sunset bird watching walk. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be provided.
No registration is required. For information about the event visit the Refuge website, email kealiapondnwr@fws.gov or call the Visitor Center at (808) 875-1582.
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every first Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Refuge is closed on federal holidays. The Keālia Coastal Boardwalk is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
Schedule of Activities
1.ReTree Meet Up Spot, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Take a stroll around our Pulelehua Trail with ReTree for their Gardening to Heal the ‘Āina talk! Learn about growing native plant gardens from the experts.
2.Keālia Pond NWR Planting, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Support your local ecosystem! Plant a seed and take home your own native plant as you learn about the importance of restoring the ‘āina from our Habitat Restoration team.
3.Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Learn about Maui’s native forest birds and the amazing work done to protect them by the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project!
4.Keālia Pond NWR Crafts, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Ever wonder which native wetland bird you would be? Now you can find out by taking our Wetland Bird Personality Test for a native bird-themed prize! You can also color a picture of the Keālia Pond mural created by the talented Leah K. Rigg.
5.Hawai‘i Audubon Society, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Talk story with Hawai‘i Audubon to learn more about their projects and native Hawaiian birds through games and crafts!
6.Friends of Keālia Pond NWR, TBD
Want to support Keālia Pond NWR? Talk to our Friends of Keālia Pond Group to see how you can get involved!
7.The Digital Bus, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Unlock your inner scientist by visiting the Digital Bus! Experiment with microscopes and water quality tools as you learn more about this awesome program for students and keiki.
