How to Engage Children in Conservation Efforts while Holidaying on Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii is a perfect destination for families who love nature and adventure. The island offers countless opportunities to explore and enjoy its diverse and spectacular wildlife and ecosystems, such as the active volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, the green sand beach of Papakolea, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and nene, and the World Heritage Site of Papahānaumokuākea. However, these wildlife and ecosystems are also facing serious threats from habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, and human activities. Conservation is vital to protect and restore Big Island Hawaii’s natural heritage and ensure its survival for future generations. Conservation is also a matter of respect and responsibility for the island’s lands and seas and the people who depend on them. But how can we engage children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii? Here are some ways that we can help:

• Visit conservation organizations and programs. One of the best ways to engage children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii is to visit conservation organizations and programs that work on the island. For example, you can visit the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center, which is a non-profit organization that provides care and rehabilitation for native wildlife and conducts research, education, and outreach programs³. You can also visit the Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which provides information and exhibits on the natural and cultural resources of the park and its conservation efforts¹. You can also visit the Kahaluʻu Bay Education Center, which educates visitors on proper reef etiquette and ecosystem stewardship². By visiting these conservation organizations and programs, you can learn about their missions, goals, activities, challenges, and achievements, and how you can support them.
• Participate in conservation activities and events. Another way to engage children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii is to participate in conservation activities and events that take place on the island. For example, you can participate in beach clean-ups, forest restoration, wildlife surveys, citizen science, environmental education, outreach, advocacy, fundraising, and more. You can find these conservation activities and events on Conservation Connections, which is a website that connects people who want to get involved in conservation with organizations that need their help². You can also check out the websites of conservation organizations and programs that work on Big Island Hawaii for conservation activities and events that match your interests and abilities.
• Enjoy nature responsibly and respectfully. A third way to engage children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii is to enjoy nature responsibly and respectfully. This means following some simple guidelines when visiting natural areas, such as staying on designated trails, not littering or feeding wildlife, not touching or disturbing coral reefs or other sensitive habitats, not collecting or removing any natural or cultural objects, not introducing any invasive species or pathogens, and respecting the rules and regulations of the areas you visit. By enjoying nature responsibly and respectfully, you can minimize your impact on the environment and set a good example for others.
• Share your experiences and stories with others. A fourth way to engage children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii is to share your experiences and stories with others. This means telling your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, social media followers, and anyone else who might be interested or influenced by your message about what you saw, learned, did, felt, and thought while visiting Big Island Hawaii’s natural areas and conservation organizations and programs. You can also share your knowledge, opinions, stories, photos, videos, links, hashtags, petitions, campaigns, actions, events, and anything else that can raise awareness and inspire action for conservation on Big Island Hawaii. You can also join or start a conversation about conservation with others who share your passion or curiosity for nature. By sharing your experiences and stories with others, you can help create a culture of aloha (love) for Big Island Hawaii’s lands and seas.

Big Island Hawaii’s natural heritage is a precious gift that we have inherited from our ancestors and that we have a duty to pass on to our descendants. It is also a source of wonder and joy that we can share with our children. By engaging children in conservation efforts while holidaying on Big Island Hawaii, we can help them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the island’s natural heritage, as well as a sense of stewardship and responsibility for its conservation.

Source:
(1) Our favorite charities to donate to for the Big Island. https://www.lovebigisland.com/charities/.
(2) . https://bing.com/search?q=children+conservation+Big+Island+Hawaii.
(3) Big Island Resource Conservation And Development Council. http://www.bigislandrcd.org/home.html.
(4) Hawai‘i Island students can join conservation-based … – Big Island Now. https://bigislandnow.com/2023/01/17/hawaii-island-students-can-join-conservation-based-summer-program/.
(5) 12 Epic Things to Do in Kona with Kids – The Hawaii Vacation Guide. https://thehawaiivacationguide.com/things-to-do-kona-with-kids/.