Future Foresters is a hands-on, outdoor, after-school program for fourth and fifth-grade students that takes place each week in the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve. The program combines science, culture, service, and stewardship and cultivates a deep connection between the students and the endangered ecosystem in their backyards.
Future Foresters is one of our longest standing programs at WDFI, and providing this opportunity for children to engage with nature has become one of our most joyful and meaningful endeavors. We hope that you'll agree that this is an important program and show your support by contributing to the Future Foresters.
Future Foresters include lessons in ecology, watershed function, natural history, Hawaiian history and culture and we encourage environmental awareness, careful observation, teamwork, and introspection. This year’s Future Foresters learned to identify native and non-native plant species as well as some of the birds and insects that frequent the preserve. They designed and conducted experiments, took scientific measurements and recorded monitoring data. They learned to make kapa and natural dyes, practiced basic wilderness safety and first aid, and propagated thousands of native seeds in our nursery. They learned to navigate independently through the preserve with a map and compass, explored caves, went on field trips, and hiked to the summit of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa as a group on our annual camp trip. The Future Foresters also took care of a one-acre restoration area within the preserve where they pulled weeds, planted trees, collected seeds, monitored growth and gathered together in an outdoor classroom area that they built under a wiliwili tree.kapa and natural dyes, practiced basic wilderness safety and first aid, and propagated thousands of native seeds in our nursery. They learned to navigate independently through the preserve with a map and compass, explored caves, went on field trips, and hiked to the summit of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa as a group on our annual camp trip. The Future Foresters also took care of a one-acre restoration area within the preserve where they pulled weeds, planted trees, collected seeds, monitored growth and gathered together in an outdoor classroom area that they built under a wiliwili tree.
At our last meeting of the year, we asked the Future Foresters to assess the program; to tell us what they learned, what they enjoyed and what they think we can do to make the program better. Two things were almost unanimous:
About half of our group is in fifth grade and all of those moving on to sixth grade at Waikoloa Middle School have expressed that they would like to come back next year. Sixth grade is an important transition in the development of these kids and we want Future Foresters to continue to be a meaningful part of their lives.
We’re committed to continuing to provide a consistent, fun, safe, after-school activity that takes kids outside to explore nature, provides real-world context to the lessons they learn in school and supports a positive social network. Please help us fund this important program by selecting one of the gift options listed on this page or by making a tax-deductible donation of any amount online. We also accept checks made out to Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative sent to our mailing address PO Box 384087 Waikoloa, HI 96738.
Gifts from you, and our community of supporters like you, are essential to our success preserving and restoring forest and providing educational programming for kids and adults. We sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to your continued friendship. Mahalo.
The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN # 45-2589264
Your donation is tax deductible.
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