2013 OBFS Human Diversity Award winner
Monday, August 05, 2013 08:34 PM

Congratulations to Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest! 

The USDA Forest Service (USFS) Pacific Southwest Research Station manages the HETF in Hilo, Hawaii.  Melissa Dean, HETF Coordinator, wrote

"Hawaii is a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. Two-thirds of Hawaii Island residents identify themselves as native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (12%), Asians (22%), Hispanics or Latinos (12%), and other ethnicities and mixed race individuals (30%)...[yet] the USFS employs very few professional grade scientists who are of Hawaiian or other local ethnic majority descent (Filipino, Korean, Japanese, etc.) which we hope to change by offering K-12 forest experiences that include opportunities to see natural resource managers and scientists in action, undergraduate experiences...and other local internship opportunities."

The award includes recognition on OBFS' website, an opportunity to share program information at the annual OBFS meeting in September, reimbursement for the cost of attending the meeting up to $1000, and a lovely plaque.

Thanks to all who applied and keep up the good work going on at so many field stations.

Please join us to congratulate HETF at the annual OBFS meeting in September.  

Cheers,
Stacy McNulty
OBFS Human Diversity Committee Chair


OBFS Diversity Committee:

Tom Arsuffi, Peggy Turk Boyer, Jeff Brown, Faerthen Felix, Susan Flowers, Brian Kloeppel, Nancy Lowe, Deedra McClearn, Stacy McNulty, Teresa Mourad, Amy Whipple, and Dawn Wilson