Be an Eco-Adventure Volunteer!

A great way to have fun and do good while exploring the Big Island’s wild places is to volunteer for conservation work. You can sign on for an afternoon or for multi-day trips to help with a variety of projects such as trail building and maintenance, planting native plants, controlling invasive species or clearing coastlines of marine debris. Some agencies to contact:

Hawaii Forest & Trail invites guests along for volun-tourism. (800) 464-1993, (808) 331-8505, www.hawaii-forest.com.

The Volcano Art Center holds Forest Work Days the third Sunday of every month. No experience or tools are required to participate. Volunteers are asked to bring rain gear in case of wet weather. To register or obtain further information call VAC at 967-8222, or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org

The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii is committed to preserving our plants and animals by protecting the island’s lands and waters. (808) 885-1786, www.nature.org.

The Sierra Club protects and restores Hawaii’s native habitats, prevents the introduction and spread of alien species, and cleans up coastal pollution. (808) 965-5460, www.hi.sierraclub.org/Hawaii/mokuloa.html..

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service protects birds and fish, documents cultural and natural resources, and assists with research. (800) 344-WILD (9453), www.fws.gov/volunteers..

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects and preserves all the natural and cultural resources within its boundries. (808)985-6166, www.nps.gov/havo/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm