News

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:   May 23, 2008

Waihe`e Refuge Provides the Ultimate Outdoor Classroom

WAILUKU--A year-long study project at the Maui Coastal Land Trust's (MCLT) Waihe`e Refuge culminated in a student showcase last Wednesday, May 21 at the `Iao Theater. The program featured multi-media presentations from three teams of teachers and students from Kalama and Maui Waena Intermediate Schools who participated in MCLT's Waihe`e Watershed Education Program at the 277-acre Waihe`e Refuge on Maui's northwestern shoreline.

MCLT partnered with the Alaka'ina Foundation's Maui Digital Bus to host hundreds of students from Maui Waena and Kalama Intermediate Schools at the Waihe`e Refuge through the recent school year. The program was made possible by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which funded teacher training, bus transportation, field and technical equipment and a program coordinator.

"The opportunity for multiple field trips to Waihe`e enhanced the students' perspective on the area's rich cultural history and potential for ecological restoration," said MCLT Coordinator Diana Papini Warren. "The teachers made the most of the program by working in teams and providing interdisciplinary projects for their students. They tied together lessons in science, social studies, math, and language arts."

Ellen Federoff oversaw the Maui Digital Bus which accompanied the students during field trips to the Waihe`e Refuge. "The bus provided instant on site interpretation of data the kids collect while studying ocean currents, GPS mapping, water quality, marine debris and plant restoration." said Federoff.

Established as a non-profit corporation in December 2000, The Maui Coastal Land Trust's mission is: "To preserve and protect coastal lands in Maui Nui for the benefit of the natural environment and of current and future generations." With offices in Wailuku, MCLT is Hawaii's first local fully-staffed land trust organization. For more information visit www.mauicoastallandtrust.org

Maui Waena Intermediate School students (l to r) Brittney-Jean Damo, Keala Kama and Harley Rodrigues present their findings at the Waihe`e Watershed Education Program Showcase held May 21st at the `Iao Theater. (Photo by Ray Mains)

During a field trip last October, the Waihe`e shoreline served as a science laboratory for Kelly Ledford of Maui Digital Bus and Kalama Intermediate students armed with laptops and GPS units provided by the Waihe`e Watershed Education Program (Photo by Diane Lee)

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