Episode Information

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1985 to protect endangered birds and their rainforest habitat. Only about 25% of old-growth forests remain on the Big Island of Hawaii, and people like Jack Jeffrey have been working to protect and restore them. 60-70% of the plants in Hawaii are bird-dependent, either for pollination or seed dispersal. Jack says, "If we lose the birds, we lose the plants; if we lose the plants, we lose the birds." Ecosystem is important! Now, after 25 years of restoration, Hakalau Forest has been transformed. All of the bird populations at Hakalau Forest are stable or increasing. Thank you, Jack, and others like you!