Education Programs
Understory Alliance offers hands-on learning experiences that remind us we are nature—not separate from it. K–12 students, interns, and community members take part in meaningful work rooted in biocultural conservation, ecosystem care, and Hawaiian cultural practices. These programs build real skills and deeper connections through doing, guided by respect for place, culture, and community.
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For Schools and Homeschools (PreK-12 Classes)
Bring learning to life through hands-on, place-based education. Our programs support science, social studies, and ʻIke Hawaiʻi standards while giving students the chance to map, plan, and care for native forests and streams.
We offer excursions to our Māla Lāʻau sites and in-school programs designed to fit your class needs. Students explore conservation, ecology, and Hawaiian culture in meaningful and memorable ways.
Easy to schedule. Standards-aligned. Rooted in real-world learning.
Contact us to plan an experience your students won’t forget. -
Workshops
Our workshops are for everyone—whether you're just getting started or looking to go deeper. Learn about plants, ecosystems, and the place you call home through hands-on experiences in propagation, composting, habitat creation, and traditional practices.
Workshops are open to all and can be scheduled for private groups, schools, organizations, or community gatherings.
Build skills. Strengthen your connection to nature. Learn through doing.
Browse upcoming workshops or contact aloha@understoryalliance.org to schedule one for your group. -
Internships
Our internship program offers hands-on experience through meaningful, community-centered work. Interns support native plant care, education programs, outreach, and more—building skills, confidence, and real-world connections along the way.
Each internship is highly individualized, with flexible hours and options to join in person, virtually, or both. You don’t need to be on island to take part.
We work with school partnerships and welcome people with a wide range of interests—plants, conservation, education, design, tech, communication, and more.
Want to learn, contribute, and grow?
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Learning Through Service Certification Programs
These short, hands-on programs teach real skills through work that supports our communities. Each one runs about six weeks and ends with a certificate.
Because they’re project-based, you’ll gain both practical experience and a deeper understanding of how things work. Take one or build on them to grow your knowledge in plant nursery operations, practical botany, biocultural conservation, and more.
You’ll learn by doing—while helping restore ecosystems, strengthen food systems, and support resilience in Hawaiʻi. Small group sizes mean more support, and instructors bring years of real-world experience.