PMC Volunteer Recognized

Chief Lancaster recently presented Kristen Coelho with a plaque in recognition of the 535 hours she has volunteered so far this fiscal year at the NRCS Hoolehua Plant Materials Center (PMC) located on the island of Molokai.

She assists the PMC staff with experimental test plot installation and data collection, propagation of plant propagules, test plot maintenance, irrigation repair, weed control, crop harvesting,  seed cleaning, and facility and vehicle maintenance.  She is well versed in the operation of tractors, combines, balers, rakes, mowers, disks, chemical boom sprayers, loaders, and various seed cleaning machines at the center and is steadily gaining knowledge of conservation plants as they relate to the protection and enhancement of the resource base.  She has been involved in plant identification of both native and non-native plants for conservation efforts throughout the Pacific Island Area.

She has also assisted in the propagation, harvesting and maintenance of native Hawaiian plants to re-establish native plant population on Kahoolawe island that has been severely eroded from decades of overgrazing by livestock and use as a test range by the U.S. Navy.

Kristen Coelho was born and raised on the island of Molokai.  She attended Molokai High School and upon graduating, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed in Washington State.  She retuned to Molokai in 2006 and began volunteering for NRCS in November of that year.
Your contact is Jolene Lau NRCS public affairs specialist, at 808-541-2600, ext. 135.