New UH–Army agreement expands environmental stewardship efforts

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Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/6AYrKKfKih

The University of Hawai'i is expanding its environmental support services to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i (USAG-HI) through a new Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) signed September 16, at the Schofield Barracks Seed Lab. USAG-HI oversees key Army lands on O'ahu, where UH expertise helps balance training needs with protecting island resources.

"This partnership underscores the University of Hawai'i's role as a trusted partner in conservation and environmental stewardship," said Chad Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. "Through this agreement, we can apply UH expertise in environmental science and resource management to support the Army's mission, while creating new, real-world career and workforce development opportunities in environmental stewardship for our faculty, staff and students."

Building on partnerships

Since 1995, UH and USAG-HI have worked together through the Army Natural Resources Program O'ahu (ANRPO), a partnership now overseen by the UH System Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures. Through ANRPO, UH researchers support environmental stewardship, conservation and natural resources management initiatives at military installations and training grounds on O'ahu, which is vital for ensuring military readiness, while preserving Hawai'i's natural resources.

For example, USAG-HI has supported dozens of UH researchers and technicians to help protect native habitats by conducting research, control and eradication of invasive plants, rodents, slugs and other pests, while also maintaining and restoring populations of endangered plants and animals through development of monitoring, cultivation and reintroduction techniques.

"The University of Hawai'i has the experience and expertise, and also the responsibility to our island home, to help ensure the very best education, talent and research in natural research management and environmental stewardship applied to military lands in Hawai'i," said Suzanne Case, director of the UH Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures. "This expanded partnership is both an opportunity and a kuleana [responsibility] that we take seriously."

This IGSA will allow UH and USAG-HI to grow and expand its collaborative opportunities in improving environmental resilience, while growing conservation workforce capacity and impact. The agreement represents a stronger partnership model between the U.S. Department of Defense and local institutions nationwide, allowing military installations to improve their operations while caring for island resources, supporting regional economies and leveraging academic expertise.

"By tapping into UH's world-class expertise in environmental science and resource management, we enhance our operational readiness while safeguarding Hawai'i's unique ecosystems for future generations," said Col. Rachel Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i commander. "This collaboration not only bolsters the Army's ability to train and deploy forces under sustainable practices, but it also creates opportunities for workforce development, inspiring students, and researchers to become stewards of these islands. Together, we're demonstrating how we can unite to protect our environment, support our community, and build a stronger Army-right here in Hawai'i."

About UH Research

Research conducted by the University of Hawai'i (UH) impacts the quality of life in the islands and around the world. As the state's major research university, and because of Hawai'i's tremendous geographic diversity, UH plays a prominent role in the state's economic growth and development through its diverse and world-renowned research and innovation programs in astronomy, earth and ocean sciences, medicine and tropical agriculture. research.hawaii.edu

About U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i

U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii (USAG Hawaii) provides quality services, installation facilities, training and recreational centers to nearly 100,000 Soldiers, civilians and family members stationed on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Headquartered at Wheeler Army Airfield, just 20 miles from the state capital of Honolulu, USAG Hawaii enables readiness for a globally responsive Army across the Pacific. https://home.army.mil/hawaii/

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/6AYrKKfKih

VIDEO:

BROLL: (1:19)

0:00-0:43 - IGSA signing on September 16

0:43-1:19 - Schofield Barracks Seed Lab

SOUNDBITES:

Suzanne Case, UH Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director

(0:20)

"This is a great mechanism for cooperation between the U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i and the University of Hawai'i for natural resource management so that we at the university can bring all of our resources and research and education and fieldwork to support the Army's stewardship of our lands."

Col. Rachel Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i Commander

(0:16)

"The significance really is it's taking what has been such a successful relationship that's been in place for almost 30 years, and it's bringing it to the next level and formalizing the work that UH and the Army have been doing for many many years in the world of natural resources."