Nominations for invasive species prevention award now open
Nominations for the Malama i ka Aina Award are now being accepted to honor invasive species prevention efforts within Maui County.
Nominators are asked to explain how the nominee;s activities or decisions have addressed the threat of pests on Maui through their industry.
Past Malama i ka Aina Award recipients were recognized for meaningful efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species, including incorporating codes of conduct in business practices, educating the public and clients about invasive species and encouraging the use of native species in landscape design.
The nomination form can be found at www.mauiinvasive.org/MIKA and is due by Oct. 15. Self-nominations are welcome.
The Malama i ka Aina Award has been presented annually since 2003 to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and/or wholesale nurseries and garden shops) or commercial/agricultural property in recognition of their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.
The winner will be announced at the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Hawaiian Tree Giveaway, a multiday event from Nov. 2-6 that includes tree and plant care lectures and webinars, a local nursery open house and a giveaway of more than 1,000 Hawaiian trees.
The winner will receive a plaque, a glass sculpture of a native species by artist Jupiter Nielsen, a one-year free membership with the Maui Association
of Landscape Professionals and local media recognition.
The County of Maui, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals and the Maui Invasive Species Committee sponsor and present the award.
Questions about the award and nomination form may be directed to MISC Public Relations and Education Specialist Serena Fukushima at 3442756 or miscpr@hawaii.edu.
For more information on the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Hawaiian Tree Giveaway, visit www.arbordayexpo.com.