USA, Hawaii, Upper Limahuli Valley, Kauai - November 2002
Installation of goat and pig exclosure fence
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Approximately 90 percent of all plant species native to Hawaii are found nowhere else in the world, and one-third are considered likely to be threatened with extinction within the next 10 years. Principal threats to Hawaii's native species are feral pigs and goats, and exotic plants, both of which disturb native communities. The National Tropical Botanical Garden's Limahuli Garden and Preserve is a 900-acre steep, forested valley of great biological and cultural importance. The upper valley has recently experienced an unprecedented influx of feral pigs, resulting in severe and extensive damage. A fence spanning approximately 3.5 miles of rugged ridge-top terrain will enclose approximately 400 acres of intact, highly diverse Hawaiian forest. Seacology is assisting in the initial phase of the fencing project by providing support for helicopter transportation of work crews and materials into this primitive area.*
UPDATE July 2004 - Crews were able to cut trails and perform reconnaissance in the extremely rugged terrain to be fenced off. A GIS map of the area was created and a fencing contractor was able to fly in to obtain firm cost estimates to construct an ungulate proof fence for the 400-acre Upper Limahuli Preserve. As a result of this work, the NTBG was able to submit a proposal to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to construct the fence.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
