Recipient of the 2025 Dr. Fern Duvall Conservation and Collaboration Award
Bret Nainoa Mossman, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources - Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Founder of Birds of Hawaiʻi Past Present
We are pleased to announce that Bret Nainoa Mossman, of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DOFAW), and Founder of Birds of Hawaiʻi Past Present, has been selected for the 2025 Dr. Fern Duvall Conservation and Collaboration Award.
Bret is a Native Hawaiian biologist and dedicated conservationist, known for his strong, yet humble conservation leadership and commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement. The Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (Pacific Birds) review committee agreed that these accomplishments embody what we wish to celebrate in the conservation community and reflect the spirit of this award.
“Bret brings light, rigor, and deep aloha. His embodiment of the award’s values has not only shaped ecosystems—it has held people together, made our work better, and made our community stronger.”
- Jordan Lerna, Executive Director of Nēnē Research and Conservation; Native Hawaiian Field Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective
At Honuʻapo estuary, Bret’s predator control and restoration work with the local non-profit Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo (KOOH) has provided the only pair of aeʻo (Hawaiian Stilt) on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island with a new home. Other native and migratory waterbirds such as ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot), kōloa mōhā (Northern Shoveler), koloa māpu (Northern Pintail), and greater and lesser scaup are further protected at the site. His impact continues to grow through his never-ending generosity, as he lends both his expertise and binoculars to KOOH when they host local elementary students.
Professionally, Bret serves as a Forest Bird Recovery Coordinator for DOFAW, and as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, in addition to leading, Birds of Hawaiʻi Past Present. This organization brings rare, endangered, or extinct native Hawaiian birds into the everyday life of the public through engaging stories, photos, and history. The initiative has engaged over 55,000 people and raised over $75,000 to support conservation projects.
Incredibly, this is not where his role in the community ends. Bret also lends his time to support local non-profits and mentor young biologists. He advocates for the land and his communities, and helps educate the public and local government on complex conservation issues. His commitment to Hawaiian practices and values shines through in all of these activities.
This award was started by Pacific Birds in memory of Dr. Fern Duvall to honor his incredible legacy. Fern helped shape Pacific Birds’ conservation efforts in Hawaiʻi and was a generous mentor, gentle leader, and trusted guide, particularly to young conservationists. The award recognizes the conservation efforts of individuals who embody the innovative, inclusive, humble, and collaborative spirit that Fern brought to conservation endeavors.
Please join us in congratulating Bret for this well-deserved award.
