December 2023
In support of Wise Ancestors’ goal of braiding biotechnology with Indigenous Knowledge to accelerate the conservation of Earth’s biodiversity, the team convened on the Big Island of Hawai’i to take part in several highly customized educational and outreach-focused activities with Indigenous and local Hawaiians and their respective organizations.
These were people and organizations we had previously initiated communications with over Zoom, and this trip provided the opportunity to meet in person for the first time. The Wise Ancestors team was able to see and experience firsthand traditional Hawaiian ecological practices and sacred lands, and to have in depth discussions regarding the status of biodiversity on the islands, and ways to not only help save species that are remaining, but also to promote more sustainable land management through Indigenous land ownership and Indigenous stewardship practices.
