LIHU‘E — In celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex took the lead in designing free grab-and-go “Wonderful Wildlife” learning kits that will be distributed free at five different locations for keiki and families this Saturday, Oct 9.
“These learning kits are a great way to support family learning and appreciating the wonderful wildlife we have here in Hawai‘i and in other national wildlife refuges throughout the country,” said Christa McLeod, environmental education park ranger with the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
The kits are designed for student and family learning, with activity and coloring books, various crafts, stickers and an eye mask of a woodland or sea creature, a perfect jump start to any Halloween costume.
“These are eye masks rather than a full face mask,” said Jean Souza, the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery manager at Kukui Grove Center. “We are a partner with the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex on this project that ties in with the Hi Department of Education fall break, providing keiki and families an activity for learning during the break.”
On Oct. 9, families are able to pick up the free learning kits at the following locations from 9 to 11 a.m.: Princeville Public Library, Kong Lung Center courtyard in Kilauea, Hanapepe Public Library and at the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery. Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i in KGC will also have a supply of kits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the supply is exhausted.
McLeod spearheaded a team of partners, including the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, the Friends of Kaua‘i Wildlife Refuges and the Hawai‘i State Public Library System in designing and funding the kits.
During the celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, the HSPLS is partnering with the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex in presenting a series of lunch-and-learn “Wildlife Wednesdays” — virtual, one-hour events suitable for all ages featuring various speakers from Pacific Rim Conservation, Conservation Dogs of Hawai‘i and U.S. Geological Survey researchers.
Registration is required for each of the Wildlife Wednesdays events that start today at noon when biologists with Pacific Rim Conservation speak of their work to protect endangered bird species from the threats of invasive species and climate change. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/4zxm835j.
The presenter for the Oct. 13 lunch and learn is Conservation Dogs of Hawai‘i, speaking of its work to restore and protect Hawai‘i wildlife and ecosystems with dog-handler teams. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/bk5kswv6 for the virtual event that runs from noon to 1 p.m.
The lunch and learn series wraps up on Oct. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. when USGS “‘Ope‘ape‘a The Hawaiian Hoary Bat” reveals research projects involving the elusive ‘ope‘ape‘a, the native Hawaiian hoary bat. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/rne2pwpb.
This article was updated at 8:23 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6 to correct when the learning kits would be distributed at Kukui Grove Center. The distribution will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Correction: The learning kit distribution at Kauai Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center on Saturday, Oct. 9, will be from 11 am to 1 pm.
Second correction: The learning kit distribution at Deja Vu Surf Hawaii at Kukui Grove Center is on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 1:00 pm as supplies last.