WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawai’i — The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership announced on May 15, 2024, that Hawaiʻi’s U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi (USAG Hawai’i) and Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) have been federally designated as a Sentinel Landscape location. This prestigious designation underscores the commitment to conserving natural and working lands alongside military operations. Other services and installations across Hawai’i, including Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), were also included.
"This federal recognition for the Army in Hawaii and Sentinel landscapes underscores how important our local partnerships are in the spirit of sustainable land uses while balancing the need to maintain readiness for our Soldiers in the Pacific theater," said Col. Steve McGunegle, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. "In the end, this is testimony to the U.S. Army here setting a high standard for conservation, public access, and resiliency in the face of climate change," said McGunegle.
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of the Interior (DOI), and aims to enhance sustainable land and water management practices and mitigate climate change impacts around military installations. The Hawaiʻi Sentinel Landscape spans over two million acres across Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island, incorporating vital conservation, agricultural, and DOD mission lands.
DOD lands are only part of the Sentinel Landscape designation; our installations are part of the Sentinel Landscape footprint. The areas designated surrounding DOD lands were included due to their importance to the DOD mission.
Brendan Owens, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This designation allows us to expand and diversify our partnerships, enhancing the resilience of military installations and supporting local communities.”
Randy Moore, USDA Forest Service Chief, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the shared stewardship ethos. “We are committed to sustainable land use practices that benefit both military readiness and conservation efforts,” he said.
In Hawaiʻi, the rapid pace of urban and residential development poses significant threats to agricultural lands, native forests, and critical habitats, as well as military training and operations. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and prolonged droughts impacting freshwater resources and increasing wildfire risks.
The Hawaiʻi Sentinel Landscape designation enables over 20 federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to collaborate on landscape-scale solutions. These efforts aim to safeguard national defense, enhance installation and community resilience, and promote the conservation of natural and cultural resources. This collaborative initiative will support the sustainable use of lands in Hawaiʻi, ensuring the continued viability of military operations while promoting environmental stewardship and resilience.
Contact: Sentinel Landscapes Partnership,
[https://sentinellandscapes.org/landscapes/hawai-i/]
Source: Sentinel Landscapes Partnership announcement [https://sentinellandscapes.org/media/2ltntwsv/hawai-i-landscape-profile.pdf ]
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