HAWAII ISLAND – The Hawaii Wildlife Fund, a volunteer-powered non-profit dedicated to conservation of native wildlife, is celebrating 20 years of community education, activism and conservation work.

Hawaii Wildlife Fund was founded March 16, 1996, and was initially focused on the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle. Today, the organization’s work includes outreach education and community-based conservation efforts.

“We bring a variety of experiences together to serve a common goal,” said co-founder Bill Gilmartin in a media release. “Although we are a small organization, we combine our like-minded passions and great things happen. Please join us to celebrate two decades of conservation work and community outreach.”

On the Hawaii Wildlife Fund website, a new video kicks off the 20th anniversary, showing students from Hawaii and California working together during a field trip. The video features an effort to address the environmental effects of Styrofoam.

The non-profit also launched its first-ever crowd funding campaign. HWF says the goal of Protecting Maui’s Green Sea Turtles is $20,000. The campaign runs through May 7, 2016.

courtesy Hawaii Wildlife Fund

Hawai`i Island Events
• March 18 – Kāwā Estuary Restoration Workday (Ka’ū)
• April 30 – 7th annual Manukā Natural Area Reserve coastal cleanup (South Kona)
• May TBA – 20th anniversary celebration (Ka’ū)
• June 8 – Healthy Planet, Healthy Ocean at Hapuna State Park (South Kohala)
• July 9 – Kamilo community coastal cleanup (Ka’ū)
• Sept 24 – International Coastal Cleanup Day (Kamilo)
• Oct TBA – 20th anniversary fundraiser (Hilo)