HAWAII RARE INSECTS ANNOUNCEMENT (fwd)

[Scott Miller]

For Release: August 15, 1995
Contact: John Mosesso (202) 482-3842
or Trudy Harlow (202) 482-3048

National Biological Service, Bishop Museum to Computerize
Hawaii Rare Insect Data

    National Biological Service Director Ron Pulliam today announced a
collaborative project with the Bishop Museum to computerize specimen data for
Hawaiian rare or declining insect species.
    The project is one of 21 chosen competitively nationwide from more than 400
candidates to receive funds in 1995 as part of the NBS Species at Risk
Initiative.  The project will compile and computerize specimen information and
complete the compilation of published information on 274 Hawaii insects
presently residing in Bishop Museum databases and collections.   The
information will be uploaded to both gopher and web servers, making it
available on the Internet.
    "Hawaii has more endangered and threatened species than any other state.
This information is critical to fully understanding the species and their
habitat needs in order to keep them from being formally designated as
endangered species," Dr. Pulliam said.  "The NBS is committed to helping the
State of Hawaii meet its goals by providing sound, credible scientific
information to those who make decisions," he added.  "This kind of partnership
will provide managers, researchers and individuals concerned with Hawaiian
Category 2 Candidate insects with concise, comprehensive basic information on
each of the species."
    In addition to providing technical assistance, NBS will provide  $58,075
for the project through the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Bishop
Museum's Hawaii Biological Survey, established in 1992 by the Hawaii State
Legislature, is an ongoing natural history inventory of the Hawaiian
archipelago.
    The National Biological Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior
works with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies
needed to support the sound management and conservation of the nation's
biological resources.
    The NBS Species at Risk Initiative was established to develop scientific
information on the status and trends of declining species and ecosystems.  The
initiative provides opportunities and funding for scientists, conservationists,
and land managers to participate with the NBS to produce information to assist
in the stabilization of declining populations.   NBS Western Regional Director
Dennis Fenn noted that the projects selected provide immediate benefits to
state and federal resource managers, local land managers and others, in the
form of new and more complete information on species of concern and the
stresses facing them.  "The biological information developed will lead to
better understanding of sensitive habitats, how populations can be stabilized,
and what management actions might be appropriate to prevent further decline,"
he added.
    All information is shared with the public and appropriate state and federal
land and resource management agencies.  About $1 million in funds were
available this year and should be available annually.

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Note: A Fact Sheet on the Project is Available from John Mosesso.