Ryan Belcher

Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai'i, Ryan spent most of his free time outdoors. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a degree in Biology and has since been devoted to protecting and improving the habitats of threatened plant and animal species, such as Waimea Valley, Pu'uwa'awa'a to Puʻuanhulu, and Pōhakuloa. He has also served as a Soil Conservation Planner for the Soil and Water Conservation District to provide farmers and ranchers with sustainable and profitable practices. Ryan's ultimate goal is to help in discovering natural immunity to diseases in ʻōhia, support the replanting of Hawai'i's forests, and bolster the agricultural sector in the islands.