OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008

Recognizing an urgent need to increase awareness and understanding about coral reefs and other marine environments, Hawai‘i will join a worldwide campaign to educate and motivate people to take action to protect our precious living reefs. The United States Coral Reef Task Force and numerous international organizations are working together in designating 2008 as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR). IYOR aims to:

Strengthen public awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats and to mediate their impacts.
Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems.

We invite you to learn more about Hawai‘i's reefs, the IYOR - Hawai'i campaign, and the many ways in which you can help. Coral reefs provide us with the fresh fish we eat, the surf we ride and the beaches we enjoy. For more information on IYOR please check out the website at www.iyor-hawaii.org/donate/.

Ola nā papa i pūlama 'ia - Cherish the living reefs

In honor of 2008 International Year of the Reef HIMB NWHI Outreach will work with a few schools in the Kāne‘ohe Community to educate them about the research in the Monument, and careers in marine science. These lessons will be followed by an interactive art activity painting a mural commemorating our oceans and International Year of the Reef. In addition, each month HIMB will participate in at least one special community event highlighting International Year of the Reef and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands research partnership. For more information on these events or if you would like to participate please contact Carlie Wiener cwiener@hawaii.edu or
(808) 236-7496.

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