Speaker: Dr. Carmella Viza
Abstract:
Wetland restoration efforts in Hawaiʻi exist at the unique interface of traditional Hawaiian practices, conservation, and agriculture. These efforts involve increasing endangered Hawaiian waterbird habitats, restoring streamflow, removing invasive vegetation, growing traditional crops such as kalo in lo‘i, maiʻa and ʻulu, and reintegrating loko iʻa back into the landscape. Reinventing a wetland landscape to simultaneously preserve biodiversity, promote food sovereignty, and embrace indigenous practices is an intersectional and sustainable path forward. This collective vision will require community involvement, complementary research efforts, and inspiring the next generation of scientists to carry the work forward. In this talk, I will share my early stages of building a water quality and ecologically driven research program in Hawaiʻi that is responsive to community needs and fueled by student learning experiences.
August 18, 2023 recording (click here)
May 6, 2022 Transcript (download here)
May 6, 2022 Recording (click here)