On the Hawaiian Islands, many native plants and animals have become extinct and many more are at risk. Despite large-scale efforts to protect our ecosystems, numerous rare plant populations continue to decline.
On the Hawaiian Islands, many native plants and animals have become extinct and many more are at risk. Despite large-scale efforts to protect our ecosystems, numerous rare plant populations continue to decline.
The Plant Extinction Prevention Program works to safeguard and restore more than 200 species of native plants statewide — those most at risk with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild. PEPP staff collect fruit, seeds and cuttings for long-term storage, research, propagation and return to the wild. They also combat the many plant, animal and environmental threats facing Hawaii’s rarest plants.
The Lyman Museum welcomes Joshua VanDeMark, Hawaii Island PEPP coordinator, who will share aspects of these rigorous and rewarding efforts, often undertaken in some of the island’s most rugged and remote areas. The program is being presented on two occasions: a matinee from 3-4:30 p.m. and again from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at the Lyman Museum, 276 Haili St.
The program is part of Lyman’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.