Good news for green travelers: The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is giving Hawaii nearly $2.5 million in grants to buy thousands of acres on Hawaii Island to protect endangered species.
Half of the money will reportedly pay for the purchase of more than 3,000 acres on the island's southern coast covering more than a mile of coastline. The area is important habitat for the hawksbill turtle and Hawaiian monk seal, both endangered species.
The other half will fund the purchase of nearly 4,500 acres on the northern side of Mauna Kea volcano. The land lies within critical habitat for the endangered palila bird.
The state is also looking to restore mamane tree forest on the land.
Photo courtesy of the HTA and Kirk Lee Aeder