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R. Flint Hughes

Pacific Southwest Research Station

My favorite science experience was working with local villagers in the rain forests of southern Mexico. I was working to understand how deforestation and land use were changing those forests and all the incredible insects, birds, and other animals living within them. During this time, I had the opportunity to see and learn about the beautiful, large trees and associated plants of those forests. I saw and heard howler monkeys, toucans, and multicolored snakes that made those forests their home. I also saw first-hand how the people living in and around such ecosystems–the people who became my friends–profoundly affect the ecosystems in order to exist themselves. Working with the villagers affected me deeply. It was a real-world example of the common conflict between the livelihoods of people and the preservation of valuable tropical forests that are in danger of being lost forever. That experience fueled my motivation and desire to understand and protect native forests in Hawai‘i and elsewhere in the world.

One of my favorite science experiences was undoubtedly working on the very research described in the article, “The Plot Thickens,” in the amazing rain forests of American Samoa, with our friend and professional colleague, Mr. Tavita Pemerika Togia, a native American Samoan. One of the powerful aspects of this research was the way in which the research involved the community of American Samoa. The local community, led by Mr. Togia, was involved in the planning, execution, and dissemination of science. The results of our research and community involvement contributed in ways that provided educational and employment opportunities for the youth of American Samoa. Our research also created broad-based, community-supported efforts to eliminate the presence of the highly competitive invasive tree, Falcataria moluccana (i.e., tamaligi) from the native forests of American Samoa.