Hawaii County has awarded over $1.2 million in grants to Big Island nonprofits for the stewardship of conservation land. The grants, approved by the County Council, will support various projects to maintain more than 3,400 acres of land deemed worthy of preservation by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission.
The largest grant of $398,569 was awarded to Malama o Puna to steward a 150-acre parcel known as the Waiele property in Lower Puna. The funds will be used to develop a land stewardship plan and improve security and access to the area, particularly implementing anti-pig measures due to the high population of ungulates in the region.
Another significant beneficiary was the Hawaii Environmental Restoration, which received grants totaling around $30,000 for conservation work in the same area. The Ala Kahakai Trail Association also received grants exceeding $250,000 to develop community resource management plans for two areas in Kau.
Overall, these grants will support efforts to preserve and maintain important conservation lands on the Big Island. The nonprofits receiving the funding will play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of these natural resources for future generations.
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