Ulupalakua- Saturday, October 15, Sheraton Maui and Wailea Beach Marriott volunteers cleared fallen trees in the Fleming Arboretum opening up trails and clearing for new plantings in their adopted forest. Volunteers will plant their forest, returning seasonally to weed, fertilize, add new plants and apply mulch, replacing non-native plants with a complete cover of upper, middle, lower story native forest.
The Work Day was organized by Jack Stone cultural advisor for Sheraton Maui in charge of the resort’s cultural programs, and activities for guests and employees. Stone shared Hawaiian culture and music. Sheraton Maui caterers provided a generous lunch.
Arboretum Volunteer programs involve the community in preservation and restoration of Hawaii’s most valuable resource: the native forest with understory plants cooling the soil with shade, holding moisture, attracting and regenerating rain for the sustainability of life on a volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Read the Maui News Press Release here: Sheraton
The Fleming Arboretum, planted in 1950, is the first native forestation project in all Hawaii recognizing David T Fleming as Hawaii’s leader in conservation.
