Bill > SCR174

This concurrent resolution urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and other state agencies to collaborate with community groups in co-managing community forests on public lands. The resolution highlights the significance of community forests, which are areas where people live, work, and interact with trees and natural spaces. It emphasizes the multiple benefits of community forests, including health advantages (such as stress reduction and disease prevention), environmental benefits (like clean air, water, and carbon storage), and economic impacts (including increased property values and support for local businesses). The resolution notes that Governor Josh Green has proclaimed 2025 as the Year of Our Community Forests and recognizes that the state manages over 700,000 acres of public forest reserve lands. By promoting active co-stewardship between state agencies and community members, the resolution aims to improve forest management, support traditional Native Hawaiian practices, and enhance the overall quality of Hawaii's forests and communities. The resolution calls for sustained, collaborative relationships that recognize and honor community investment in forest preservation and management.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=174&year=2025