Field Study Programs: Seasonal Wetlands & the Watershed
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Come Prepared! Make use of our Trip Preparation Materials to introduce the Wild Hawai'i concepts, plants & animals, and sites to your students before your trip.

Kealia Pond is different from most places in Maui. We lead students through their discovery of what makes this Wetlands-to-Beach sanctuary special and critical to the watershed. Our program focuses on coastal birds, endangered species (e.g. turtles), and other unique animals that use the sanctuary. Students have fun and get their hands dirty in the Feature Creature Scavenger Hunt or Water Quality Testing, as well as assisting in Kealia's stewardship projects to protect the coastal habitat from human impact.

By the end of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the unique role Kealia Pond plays in Maui's watershed
• Identify 3 key functions Kealia Pond fulfills
• Identify 3 birds and 3 plants found at Kealia Pond
• Explain 2 unique features of the wetland and 2 relationships that occur in the ecosystem

8:30 at school meeting place

• Introductions and briefing
• Outfit everyone at the school
• Develop rules of conduct for the day with students

9:15 Arrive at Kealia Pond
During the drive:

• What habitat are we visiting today?
• Why is it different from most places on Maui?
• Where do you think the water in Kealia comes from?

9:30 Introduction to the National Wildlife Refuge
Kealia's staff member greets our students and explains what a refuge is, why it's special, and what role the staff plays at this site. Wild Hawai'i guides review Wetland Ecology:

• Function of wetland in the watershed
• Location/Ideal environment
• What feeds the wetland (where does the water come from? What else comes in from those feeders?)?
• The battle between native vs. non-native/introduced species

10:15 Feature Creature Scavenger Hunt

• Students look at photos, talk about the Wetlands ecosystem: Native, introduced, endangered, nesting, and migratory plants, birds, fish, invertebrates, and predators.
• In similar groups, students make their way around the ponds, mapping sightings of the refuge's inhabitants
• They return to Base Camp to talk about their observations

11:30 LUNCH!

12:00 Stewardship/Restoration Project: Clearing out non-native plants

1:30 Leave for school or meeting place

2:00 Arrive back at school or meeting place

Trip Preparation Materials
Kealia Pond

Teachers' Packet Intro
Kealia Pond Program Packet
Program Day Plan
Pre & Post Trip Quizzes
Pre & Post Trip Activities
Wetlands Overview - EC.org
EPA Wetlands Education Report
EPA Wetlands Overview Brochure
Wetland Creatures
Wetland Glossary
Endangered Species Guide
Endangered Species Glossary
Wetland Reading List
Teachers' Resources: Endangered Species
What You Can Do: Endangered Species
US Fish & Wildlife Service's Endangered Species Curriculum

Water is Precious
Living Streams in Balance
The Blue-Green Bridge: Connecting Oceans & Streams
Journeys to the Sea

DOC Files require Microsoft Word.
PDF Files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Contact Wild Hawai'i:
Wild Hawai'i Learning Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 1378
Kihei, Hawai'i 96753
Office: 808-874-1256
Fax: 808-875-7536
info@wildhawaii.net