Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project

The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project is driven by science and dedicated to the conservation of Hawaii’s native forest ecosystems.

Formed in 1997, our mission is: to develop and implement techniques that recover Maui’s endangered birds and to restore their habitats through research, development, and application of conservation techniques.

• We employ conventional mist-netting, banding, and survey techniques to monitor wild forest bird populations.
  
• We study breeding success in the wild and monitor bird food resources and prevalence of avian diseases.
  
• We develop and apply novel recovery initiatives for species of concern.
  
• We aim to effectively manage and reduce the impact of non-native invasive species.
  
• We conduct research to investigate the effectiveness of our control methods and formulate this knowledge into long-term management strategies.
  

In addition to research, we are actively trying to educate the public on endemic forest birds and their conservation on Maui. For more information on our upcoming educational and fund-raising events, please see our events menu.

MFBRP was created by: the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Our efforts are funded and guided by these agencies to accomplish state and federal recovery actions. Guidance also is sought from partners including but not limited to the East Maui Watershed Partnership, Haleakala National Park, Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, The American Bird Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, The Zoological Society of San Diego, and West Maui Watershed Partnership.

MFBRP operates as a part of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.