The Program The Watershed Partnerships Program provides technical and financial support for the implementation of watershed management plans developed by the Watershed Partnerships statewide. There are over 60 public and private landowners involved with close to one million acres found under these Watershed Partnerships. The Watershed Partnerships Program is funded by the Natural Area Reserve Special Fund, established by HRS §195-9. These funds come from a portion of the conveyance tax, which is levied each time real estate property is bought or sold.

What Are Watershed Partnerships?

The first Watershed Partnership was formed in 1991 on East Maui when several public and private landowners realized the benefits of working together to ensure the conservation of a shared watershed that provided billions of gallons of fresh water to the area. Today, Watershed Partnerships continue to be voluntary alliances of public and private landowners committed to the common value of protecting forested watersheds for water recharge and other ecosystem services through collaborative management. There are nine Watershed Partnerships in the State (Maui-3, Moloka`i-1, Kaua`i-1, Hawai`i-2, O`ahu-1 and Lana`i-1) involving over 45 private landowners and 24 public agencies that cover close to one million acres (a quarter of the State’s land). Not only are these areas vital recharge regions for Hawaii’s underground aquifers and a dependable source of clean water for its streams and people, they are also home to the last remaining native ecosystems in Hawai`i and house thousands of native species of animals and plants found no where else on earth. In addition to providing such services, these areas also provide an opportunity for the education of children about Hawai`i’s unique environments and conservation related jobs.

Benefits of the Watershed Partnerships for Natural Resource Management

Less than 40 percent of Hawaii’s native habitats remain today. However, much of this remaining 40 percent can be found as part of landscapes under Watershed Partnerships. Habitats found in Watershed Partnerships range from mesic koa -`ohi`a forests to cliffs, from subalpine shrublands to grasslands, from dry forests to young lava flows and tubes, and from wetland bogs to coastal systems. Virtually almost every natural community type found in Hawai`i can be found in the Watershed Partnerships. Additionally, 239 threatened and endangered plants and animals (nearly 20% of the nation’s total listed species), 499 rare plants and animals, and hundreds of other common native species can be found in partnership areas as well. Most management actions are habitat based and revolve around combating the main threats of ungulate (hooved animals such as goats, deer, sheep, pigs, etc.) and invasive species. Examples include ungulate removal, invasive species control, outplanting, and restoration. Not only do these management actions benefit native forests and watersheds, but they also benefit our coastal and coral reef areas as well by reducing erosion and sedimentation effects in streams and during heavy rains.

Watershed Partnerships are critical to protecting watersheds and their unique biodiversity across large landscapes and different ownership boundaries. The benefits of collaborative management practiced under Watershed Partnerships are many: 1) management actions address large landscapes and threats affecting multiple habitats and species; 2) they leverage limited dollars for maximum benefits and allow the pooling of resources as well as expertise to reduce redundancy efforts; 3) provide capacity building for landowners; and 4) actions conserve other ecosystem services such as water, recreation, culture, education, and jobs.[1]

FY 07 Watershed Management Grants Program Notice of Award

For more information on the Watershed Partnerships Program, please contact Lisa Ferentinos with the Division of Forestry an Wildlife at either (808) 587-0058 or Lisa.Ferentinos@hawaii.gov

To learn about how the Watershed Partnership Program is funded, click to view the NAR Special Fund Flyer.