Resources for further learning!

Native Plant Species:

Native Plants Hawaiʻi has a searchable database with detailed information on plants, their range, and some cultural uses. The Bishop Museum Ethnobotany Online Database is a great resource for more detailed information on cultural uses of plants including medicinal uses, ʻōlelo noeau and dyes derived from specific plants. Unsure of if a plant is native or not? Look through Starr Environmental's database of images on plants and insects to help ID and classify your species. You can search by the common/Hawaiian name, scientific name or family.

Invasive Species:

Of course the go-to website is MISC's, in order to know what our current threats are. If you need to report something suspicious you should visit 643-PEST where you can upload a photo of your possible pest and a trained eye will check it out. Plant Pono is a must to check about the potential for that plant you are about to buy and the level of risk it has in becoming invasive. It is important to clean gear between sites and islands. Learn more about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and how you can help prevent the spread of this disease.

Native Bird Species:

MFBRP has all the info you need on Maui's honeycreepers and is full of birding resources, including sound recordings! If you want to learn more about our sea birds I would check out Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project's website. Of course each of these pages has a resource page for even more learning.

Water:

There are 3 Watershed Partnership's on Maui and several throughout the State of Hawaiʻi. Go to the Hawaiian Association of Watershed Partnership's page to access them all. The County Department of Water Supply will tell you all you need to know about Maui's water systems and give you conservation ideas for your house and landscape design.

Guest Speaker Websites:

You can find the websites from MMCAT guest speakers here:

Materials to use on Tours:

At our trainings, we aim to give you materials to use on your tours to show guests information about native species, invasive species, and more. Here are some of the materials that you can use.

Action Items to Help:

Often times companies ask what they can do to help. Here are some ideas!

Prevent and/or Report invasive species.
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death awareness. Brush off dirt and seeds from outdoor gear like boots and tents. Spray with alcohol.
Decrease plastic use. Ideas include using reusable water bottles, shopping bags, utensils, napkins or using eco-friendly materials for these products.
Consider using alternative fuels, like bio-diesel, for company vehicles or using electric or hybrid vehicles. Another idea is to look into carbon offsetting programs, such as donating to organizations that plant trees.
Become a Sustainable Company through Hawaii Ecotourism Association.
Encourage donations & support for local environmental organizations. Volunteering is an opportunity to learn more, become connected, and help.
Support environmental legislation, such as plastic bans, invasive species control and prevention, predator control, climate change mitigation and more.
Use our materials to educate others so that they can care for the local environment! And keep on educating yourself!
Remember everything is connected from the mountain to the ocean. Anything that happens on the land will eventually get into the ocean. Remember proper chemical disposal (for instance oil, soaps, pesticide run off), make sure trash/recycling is put in the proper place. Use eco-friendly car washes and soaps.
Plant native and support local.
Reduce mosquito habitat by turning over wheel barrels and buckets, cleaning out gutters, and getting rid of old tires.
Spay/neuter pets and prevent them from killing wildlife. Obey leash laws and prevent animals from killing our native species.
Use reef safe sunscreen.