Community engagement and collaboration

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Pacific Islands

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program assists private landowners to voluntarily establish, restore, or enhance native species habitat. Landowners typically work with a partner organization as well as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologist on the project.

Projects can include but are not limited to, fence construction, invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species
control, out-planting of native plants, and restoration of ecosystem elements such as hydrology as in the case of wetlands and stream corridors.

Is my project eligible for Partners?

Private and county land, as well as Department of Hawaiian Homelands are all eligible.

Projects are prioritized based on their benefit in: establishing native habitat, supporting endangered, threatened, candidates or species proposed for listing, responding to the needs of declining migratory birds and/or fish species, and projects that buffer National Wildlife Refuges and other protected areas.

Learn more about the Partners Implementation Plan.

Project Budget

Projects $25,000 or under are preferred, however waivers are available. Ideal projects are 1-3 years and focus on achieving parts of a larger project scope (such as fencing and weed control). Landowners who receive funding enter into a ten year cooperative agreement to maintain the habitat.

Where We Work

The Partners Program can work in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.

Past Projects

ʻElepaio — Oʻahu

In 2012, a private landowner partnered with Pacific Rim Conservation and utilized $13,000 of Partner funds to install traps around Oʻahu ʻelepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) nesting locations.

The Oʻahu ʻelepaio currently occupies less than 25% of its 1975 range and has declined in abundance by about 50% since the 1990s.

Keālia Beach — Maui

On Maui, Alexander and Baldwin worked with the Keālia National Wildlife Refuge and was awarded $50,000 from the Partners Program to install fences and barriers to prevent sea turtles from crossing the highway. This improved 4.5 acres of habitat for the endangered Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) or ‘ea in Hawaiian.

Nuʻu Pond — Hawaiʻi

The Partners Program contributed $8,000 to Kaupō Ranch, who coordinated with the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife to restore a wetland. 2.5 acres of wetland were improved by constructing cattle fencing, invasive plant removal, and native plant establishment for the endangered Hawaiian stilt or aeʻo (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) and Hawaiian coot or ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Fulica americana alai).

Library

PIFWO Partners Handout.pdf

Interested in being a partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Learn all about our Partners Program and how you can get your projects funded!

Partners Implementation Plan 2022-2026 (508 Compliant).pdf

Welcome to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2022-2026 Implementation Plan for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program in the Pacific Region (Region). The PFW Program undertakes a national planning effort every five years, and this is the fourth generation, reflecting the knowledge and...

Facilities

An ʻakikiki sits on a branch. It is bending over, giving an upside-down look.
Welcome to the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office! We are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ecological services program. Here we work closely with partners to conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats throughout Pacific Islands. The areas we help to protect include the...

News

Laysan albatross flying above Kahuku Golf Course
The golf industry is getting greener and improving its environmental game with bird-friendly best practices.  A growing number of clubs have converted out of play rough into protected areas where little to no maintenance occurs and wildlife are free to live undisturbed. Others are taking on new...

Contact

Programs

Partners for Fish and Wildlife: Nevada Coordinator Susan Abele Meets with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Member to Conduct a Site Visit at Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land. Since 1987, we have helped more than 30,000 landowners to complete more than 50,...