Terraformation’s Future Forests location is a 20-hectare restoration site, seed bank, and nursery. In addition to restoring the dry native forest, Terraformation also uses the site for training and community education.
Originally grazed by cattle, the site has since been taken over by an invasive species to Hawaiʻi: haole koa. Over the years, it multiplied and created monotypic stands that have blocked out the native species.
But after clearing the dense haole koa stands, Terraformation’s team discovered remnant dry-forest species that still existed on the site, including mature wiliwili trees, ʻohe makai, lama, kukui, and alaheʻe shrubs. These species have provided the seeds necessary to continue restoring the land from the original mother plants.
Terraformation's team has planted 2,500 new trees in addition to the 1,000 trees already on-site. In the coming months, Future Forests will be home to approximately 4,000 plants.
Terraformation's Future Forests location is the site of our seed bank and nursery.
Nursery
Seed Bank
Lama (Diospyros sandwicensis)
Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis)
ʻOhe makai (Polyscias [Reynoldsia] sandwicensis)
Alaheʻe (Psydrax odorata)
Aʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa)
ʻAweoweo (Chenopodium oahuense)
ʻIlima (Sida fallax)
The Terraformation seed bank can store up to 10 million seeds, enough to restore 6,000 hectares of land over 10 years. Photo: Patrick Kelley
An exterior view of the nursery at Future Forests. Photo: Patrick Kelley
Inside the nursery.
More than 90% of Hawaiʻi’s dry forests are gone. Here’s a path to restoration.
Ready to plant a forest or help one grow? Whether you’re looking to design a native forest or want to make an impact through sponsoring a project, our team can help.