DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2006

DLNR Produces New Posters Featuring Native Forest,
Wetland and Open Country Birds of Hawai'i

HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has produced two new posters depicting Hawai‘i's forest birds and Hawai‘i's open country and wetland birds featuring artwork by nationally renowned wildlife artist Ram Papish.

“As part of our responsibility for stewardship of Hawai'i’s natural resources, DLNR develops and produces a variety of educational materials to help people learn about the wildlife in our islands,” said DLNR chairperson Peter Young. "Through learning, people start to care about, and become responsible to protect our natural and cultural environment," he said.

“Various DLNR divisions have worked with talented local and mainland artists over the years to create excellent and very popular posters and stamps. Most recently we featured the Hawaiian forest, reef and pelagic fish, and the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian `ahupua`a. We are proud to add these two new posters to the variety of illustrated educational materials available to anyone interested in Hawai'i’s environment.” said Young.

The colorful 24x36- inch posters are available to the public for $3 at DLNR-Forestry & Wildlife offices. Each poster features native Hawaiian birds in their habitat and natural history information about each unique species.

Teachers with a school ID may receive copies free for use in their classrooms. A companion guide to the posters was also developed to help teachers utilize them in their classrooms. Each activity in this 28 page booklet helps meet specific benchmarks of the 2005 State Content Standards for Science for grades 3-7.

The artist, who calls himself a “professional bird enthusiast,” first began illustrating as a teenager, and continued his education and work as an illustrator for years. He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in art and biology. He lives on the coast in Newport, Oregon.

Papish was particularly enthusiastic about illustrating Hawai‘i’s birds because of a personal connection to the islands. He worked several seasons as a biological field technician on Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i and Tern Islands, giving him first-hand knowledge of the native habitats and birds. His field experience has helped him to grasp the nuances of the anatomy and behavior of the species he studies.

His enthusiasm for studying a variety of avian species has taken him on field biologist positions all over the Western Hemisphere from Panama to Puerto Rico, Florida Bay to Texas, Jamaica to Hawai‘i and coastal Alaska.

DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices are located at: O‘ahu (Admin) – 1151 Punchbowl St., room 325, phone 587-0166; O'ahu Branch - 973-9781; Kauai – 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306, Lihu‘e, phone 274-3433; Maui – 54 South High St. Wailuku, phone 984-8100; Hawai'i – 19 E. Kawili St., Hilo, phone: 974-4221.

For more information or to request a copy for your classroom please call Michelle Gorham (808) 587-4169 or Jolie Wanger: (808) 587-4188.

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For more information, contact:
Clifford Inn
DLNR Education and Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (808) 587-0407