Green pasture below rugged mountain

The Nature Conservancy — Wetlands Restoration for Ecosystem and Community Resilience in He’eia O’ahu

To restore function in a degraded but historically, culturally, and ecologically important watershed on O‘ahu’s Eastern Coast, The Nature Conservancy worked closely with local partners and used an adaptive management approach to ensure successful wetland restoration.
Lessons Learned
  • Conduct ongoing monitoring: Crafting a well-defined and cost-effective monitoring protocol from the project's inception enables project teams to promptly assess the effects of their actions and address unexpected changes or obstacles efficiently.
  • Build relationships with local partners and technical experts: Leveraging opportunities to gather insights from those familiar with the project site can aid in problem-solving and adaptive planning. Local partnerships can also mobilize vital volunteer support.
  • Lean on community strengths: Deferring to community partners with expertise where you need assistance fosters valuable community relationships while easing workload, and freeing up time and capacity for other project demands.
Equity Insights

This project acknowledged the cultural and ecological significance of the restoration site, addressing past damage and promoting equitable climate resilience. From the outset, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) partnered with local organizations to correct historical power imbalances. Through community partnerships, diverse perspectives were incorporated, empowering the community to contribute to the restoration plans.  TNC leveraged community expertise for technical aspects, strengthening relationships and ensuring long-term effectiveness and sustainability of the restored site. Throughout its efforts, TNC discovered significant volunteer support, which underscored community backing for the project. It also highlighted the abundant co-benefits of community partnerships, elevated community voices, and employed a community-centered approach for restoration efforts. As the project progresses, it remains adaptable. TNC personnel are collaborating with additional partners and revisiting their organizational composition to meet evolving community and site needs.


Follow the link below to access this case study published by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation:

Case Study: The Nature Conservancy – Wetlands Restoration for Ecosystem and Community Resilience in He’eia O’ahu »


Relevant Options

This selection of resilience actions from our Options Database is specifically tailored to address the hazards and assets identified in this case study. To explore other resilience actions that may be applicable to your community, visit the complete Options Database.

Story Credit

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, https://www.nfwf.org/

Banner Image Credit

Splash screen from NFWF Case Study

Last modified
4 June 2024 - 12:14pm