https://png.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Papua New Guinea 60 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25729/WCS-welcomes-the-recently-launched-Solwara-na-Graun-SoNG-blo-Pipol-program.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=25729 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25729&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25729/WCS-welcomes-the-recently-launched-Solwara-na-Graun-SoNG-blo-Pipol-program.aspx The SoNG (Solwara Na Graun blo Pipol – "Ocean and Land for the People") Programme was officially launched on December 4 at an event held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby. This programme constitutes France’s contribution to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Country Package for Forests, Nature, and Climate, totalling €15 million in funding so far through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD, the French Development Agency). Announced by France’s President Macron at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), this partnership supports the expansion of protected areas, promotes biodiversity-focused governance, honours local knowledge of biodiversity through research, and supports sustainable long-term financing mechanisms. SoNG is a comprehensive marine and forest conservation programme. It is jointly implemented by Expertise France and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in close partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The programme will be implemented under the guidance of the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), ensuring coherence with PNG’s national policies on biodiversity and protected areas. The programme addresses the pressures exerted on PNG’s unique ecosystems, home to 7% of the world's biodiversity, including the third largest primary forest and an epicentre of global marine biodiversity, by working closely with local communities, who govern 97% of the land under customary law. The programme takes into account the key role ecosystems play in PNG communities’ daily lives, ranging from livelihoods to culture. The programme will support Papua New Guinea’s efforts to move toward the global 30×30 objective, strengthening the protection of both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The programme is structured around four operational components designed to maximize impact on the ground. Component 1 focuses on strengthening and expanding the network of protected areas. Expected results include enhancing the effective management of existing marine protected areas over 1.7 million hectares and supporting the creation of new marine and forest community conservation areas covering potentially 2.9 million hectares of marine zones and 20,000 hectares of forest areas. Complementing these field actions, Expertise France facilitate dialogue between national and provincial authorities and local communities (Component 2), offer scholarships and support research projects focusing on traditional knowledge related to biodiversity conservation (Component 3), and reinforce the PNG Biodiversity and Climate Fund (PNG BCF) as an independent vehicle for long-term sustainable financing (Component 4). This integrated approach aims to ensure coherence between local community initiatives and national, regional and international conservation policies. The programme launch in Port-Moresby today was attended by government officials as well as development and conservation players, AFD Pacific Ocean Regional Director Safia Ibrahim and Expertise France Deputy CEO Cassilde Brenière. Partner Statements: “The SoNG programme’s launch reflects France’s determination, expressed at COP28, to work hand in hand with Papua New Guinea, a key partner in safeguarding global biodiversity and climate stability. This significant contribution to PNG’s Country Package reaffirms our commitment to forging strong, long-term partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.” Pierre Fournier, French Ambassador to PNG “The SoNG programme brings together nature conservation and communities well-being. By addressing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to protect PNG’s ocean and land, while also supporting jobs, equality, and local growth, it promotes a balanced approach to development, which is at the heart of AFD’s mission.” Safia Ibrahim, AFD Regional Director, Pacific Ocean. “Leveraging our technical cooperation expertise and established presence in PNG through projects like the European Union funded Forestry, Climate Change, and Biodiversity project (EU-FCCB), Expertise France provides the essential technical coordination to link national public policies with community-level initiatives, ensuring the long-term viability and coherence of France’s support to PNG.” Cassilde Brénière, Expertise France Deputy CEO. “Working hand-in-hand with communities, the custodians of 97% of the land, is key to success. WCS is proud to bring its 40 years of field experience in PNG to the SoNG Programme to conserve the world’s third largest rainforest and the marine epicentre of the Coral Triangle.” Jonathan Booth, WCS PNG Country Director. More on WCS PNG's work on the SoNG project with our Kavieng site office team. About Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Agence Française de Développement (AFD) helps advance France’s policy on sustainable investment and international solidarity. Through its public sector and NGO financing operations, research and publications (Éditions AFD), sustainable development training programs (AFD Group Campus) and awareness-raising activities in France, AFD finances, supports and drives the transition to a fairer, more resilient world. Alongside our partners, we provide sustainable solutions for—and with—communities. Our teams are working on over 2,700 projects in the field, in over 115 countries, including France’s overseas departments and territories, to support projects for the climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality and global health. Together with Proparco and Expertise France, AFD supports the commitment of France and the French people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working by your side, toward a world in common. afd.fr/en   About Expertise France Expertise France’s mission is to provide the very best of French technical expertise to projects where it is needed around the world. An essential agency for the co-construction of projects in the field with local players, Expertise France works in synergy with AFD, which manages public financing, and Proparco, which supports responsible private investment. As an inter-ministerial agency working to promote international technical cooperation, Expertise France plays a vital role in sustainably strengthening public policy in 147 countries and 27 territories. The second largest technical cooperation agency in Europe, it leads initiatives in key areas such as governance, security, climate, health and education, working actively with its partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Expertises in common. expertisefrance.fr/en   About WCS in PNG The Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea (WCS PNG) is dedicated to empowering local communities through ground-up, community-led environmental management and conservation initiatives. Our mission is to enable the sustainable management of customary lands, seas, and other natural resources, with focus on the high-integrity forest landscapes of the PNG Highlands and the seascapes of the Bismarck Sea, a key focal point of the Coral Triangle ecoregion. Since the late-1970s, WCS PNG has been a national leader in community-based environmental management and conservation. We currently operate directly or in partnership with other environmental organizations and government bodies across 11 of the 22 provinces in Papua New Guinea. png.wcs.org/ evaina@wcs.org Thu, 11 Dec 2025 06:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25729 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25172/Communities-in-New-Ireland-Province-PNG-Take-Ownership-in-Protecting-Blue-Carbon-Ecosystems.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=25172 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25172&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25172/Communities-in-New-Ireland-Province-PNG-Take-Ownership-in-Protecting-Blue-Carbon-Ecosystems.aspx New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea – 8 September 2025 — Four coastal communities in New Ireland Province have launched their own management plans to protect and restore seagrass beds and mangrove forests that sustain their shores, culture, and livelihoods.        The communities are Lapai, Tome, and Bagatare villages in Tikana Local Level Government (LLG), and Sivasat in Kavieng Urban LLG. Supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Management of Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Pacific Island Countries (MACBLUE) project, and facilitated by the Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea (WCS PNG), the initiative started in February 2025 and culminated in the development and launching of four site-specific community-based seagrass and mangrove management plans. Locally appointed Seagrass and Mangrove Management Committees in each village will now guide the management, sustainable use, and rehabilitation of these important “blue carbon” habitats, which shield coastlines from erosion, store vast amounts of carbon from the air, and provide nurseries for fish and other marine life. The mangrove management plans were endorsed through traditional ceremonies amongst the four communities. Annisah Sapul, the WCS Kavieng Program Manager, explained that communities are more likely to take an active role in resource management when they recognise the direct benefits, particularly in terms of food security and income. WCS Kavieng Programme Manager, Annisah Sapul addressing the community during the Lapai launch on Tuesday 12, August 2025. “We are connecting the [people] back to what their ancestors used to do in terms of management. We rely a lot on our environment for our health [and] food, and therefore it’s a very important part of our way of living,” shared Sapul. She continued, stating that the ceremony signified the recognition by communities of their active roles and responsibilities in natural resource management, and the adoption of the management plans stands as a testament to their commitment to working collaboratively as community in implementing their management plans. “Local people are the stewards of these ecosystems. Our role is to listen, support, and equip them with the technical support to turn their vision into action. When communities lead the charge, conservation is not only more effective, but it also becomes part of daily life.”    Pic 1 left: Maimais (Chiefs - in red laplaps) of Sivasat community escorting the management plans that were brought to the community hall by students .  Pic 2 right: Women representative from Bagatere signing the management plan as WCS PNG's Senior Community Engagement officer, July Kuri looks on.  Papua New Guinea ranks as the country with the world's fourth-largest mangrove areas with at least 43 different species of mangrove flora, while also supporting the largest diversity of seagrass species in the Pacific. New Ireland Province is home to an estimated population of 232,000 people.           Pic 1. Mangrove management area in Lapai          Pic 2. Mangrove forest management area at Tome The development of the community-based management plans is part of the regional MACBLUE project, implemented by SPREP and funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. SPREP-MACBLUE Coordinator, Turang Teuea, shared that the people-centred approach applied during the development of the management plans centralises on community participation and local knowledge with the aim of empowering the communities to better manage and protect their seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. “It’s about enunciating their ownership of the process. When communities are part of the planning, decision-making, and implementation, they feel a stronger sense of responsibility and pride.” By committing to protect and restore their mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, the four communities are safeguarding biodiversity, helping to ensure local food security, and strengthening coastal resilience for themselves and for the future generations. ###    The Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea (WCS PNG) is dedicated to empowering local communities through ground-up, community-led environmental management and conservation initiatives. Our mission is to enable the sustainable management of customary lands, seas, and other natural resources, with focus on the high-integrity forest landscapes of the PNG Highlands and the seascapes of the Bismarck Sea, a key focal point of the Coral Triangle ecoregion. Since the late-1970s, WCS PNG has been a national leader in community-based environmental management and conservation. We currently operate directly or in partnership with other environmental organisations and government bodies across 11 of the 22 provinces in Papua New Guinea. Our mission is: empowered people with healthy forests and seas (Gutpela bus, gutpela solwara, gutpela). Visit our website www.wcspng.org for more information.   The Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (MACBLUE) project focuses on developing and strengthening institutional and individual capacities on a long-term basis to strengthen the sustainable management and conservation of mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. It works along five outputs. Overall, MACBLUE is supporting Fiji, Papua New-Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to meet their priorities in biodiversity conservation and climate protection. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through its International Climate Initiative (IKI). evaina@wcs.org Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25172 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24751/Yasina-in-Eastern-Highlands-signs-Conservation-Deed-and-launches-land-use-management-plan-to-protect-forests.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=24751 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24751&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24751/Yasina-in-Eastern-Highlands-signs-Conservation-Deed-and-launches-land-use-management-plan-to-protect-forests.aspx Figure 1: Emotional CMC members with Benson Bailam (Yasina Conservation Manager - third from right), Paul Pake (Yasina Conservation Chairman - far right), Mark David (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - third from left), Harshad Karandikar (WCS - centre) and Bennie Atigini (WCS- second from right) © WCS | Elaine Vaina. Yasina CD signing, Upper Bena, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 2025 The Yasina community in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province has taken an inspiring step towards sustainable environmental management by signing a conservation deed to formalise its recently launched land-use management plan. This milestone reflects a strong commitment to community-led stewardship of the land – and fostering a sustainable landscape where biodiversity is safeguarded, cultural traditions are respected, and community livelihoods are strengthened for generations to come. Yasina Community Conservation Area in Megabo, Upper Bena Local Level Government (LLG) in Unggai-Bena District, Eastern Highlands Province, commits to protecting and sustainably managing its land and resources – including its flora and fauna – with the signing of a conservation deed and the launch of their land use management plan in Flayafalo Hamlet, Safanota Village on Wednesday 4 June 2025 – a day prior to the World Environment Day celebrations. The name "Yasina" refers to a prized local orchid native to the area. Initially, the area was referred to as the Yasina Nature Park, reflecting the significance of this native orchid and the natural environment. Community residents were thrilled to have achieved this milestone and renamed the area Yasina Community Conservation Area.              Figure 2: (Left - Right) Pic 1: Yasina orchid growing in its natural environment, Pic 2: Yasina orchid in a flower garden (centre) supplied images: WCS © Stanley Geremba. Yasina, Upper Bena, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 2025 and  Pic 3: the Yasina orchid used to decorate the stage for the conservation deed signing. © WCS | Elaine Vaina. Yasina CD signing, Upper Bena, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 2025 The conservation deed covers five clans (the Semeya Nagai, Ekesa Gegiya, Gakuhu Nagai, Migotahi, and Gosi Nagai clans) with a combined estimated population of over 500 people and covering a total of 2,307 ha of customary land that lies in the eastern part of the Bismarck Forest Corridor. The signing signifies the clans’ commitment to protecting their natural resources and creating a thriving, sustainable environment where biodiversity is preserved, cultural traditions are respected, and community livelihoods are improved. The chairman of the Yasina Community Conservation Area, Paul Pake, said that “the signing of this conservation deed will enable the people to protect their land and resources and allow them to take ownership and responsibility of their actions towards their land and resources.”        Figure 3: Paul Pake (Yasina Conservation Chairman) giving his speech and signing the conservation deed. © WCS | Elaine Vaina. Yasina CD signing, Upper Bena, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 2025 The Community Relations Manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Papua New Guinea, Bennie Atigini, stated that “the signing of the conservation deed will help the community members in managing and protecting their land, including its flora and fauna”. He further explained that the “Yasina Land Use Management Plan serves as a strategic guide to the conservation deed and will help communities make informed decisions about how to use and manage their land and natural resources sustainably, while protecting this important ecosystem, cultural values and biodiversity. Both the deed and the plan will also help communities attract external support and partnerships for long-term environmental and social benefits. This community is the second in Eastern Highlands Province to sign a conservation deed to formalise the management of their customary land and to conserve the local environment. The rules for the management area were decided by the residents of Yasina and collectively cover three different land-use zones. Zone 1 (1, 465 ha) encompasses a restricted area where no human activities or settlements are allowed. Zone 2 (358 ha) is a buffer area where some activities can be conducted following the rules defined in the management plan. Zone 3 (484 ha) is for general use and settlement by residents. Since 2022, the development of the land-use planning process was supported by the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, funded by the European Union, and implemented in PNG by the Wildlife Conservation Society.  WCS has assisted six communities in the PNG Highlands to prepare and sign respective conservation deeds, with the Yasina conservation deed being the most recent. The six conservation areas are: Manga tribe: Mt Goplom Conservation Area, in Kwiop, Middle Jimi LLG, Jiwaka Province, signed in August 2021. Wamiufa tribe: Mt Dorehere Conservation Area in the Upper Asaro LLG, Daulo District in Eastern Highlands Province, signed in June 2022. Inaugl tribe: Inaugl Natural Resource Management Area of the Mitnande LLG in the Kundiawa-Gembogl District, Simbu Province, signed in August 2023. Denglaku Mauglak: Mt Wilhelm Biodiversity Nature Conservation Area of the Mitnande LLG, Kundiawa-Gembogl District, Simbu Province, signed in December 2023 Kuglkane tribe: Kuglkane Protected Area Sustainable Management of the Mitnande LLG, Kundiawa District, Simbu Province, signed in October 2024. Yasina Community Conservation Area of Ward 7 in Upper Bena LLG), Ungai-Bena District, Eastern Highlands Province, signed on June 4, 2025. Keynote speaker from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Eastern Highlands Office, Mark David, when speaking at the gathering, urged the CMC members to work in collaboration with other partner organizations to allow sustainable livelihood projects to develop, and to support the management and protection of their respective conservation areas. These achievements mark a long journey with the support of several project partners and donors, including the SWM Programme.      Figure 4: CMC members (Conservation Manager, Benson Bailom) and Jessica the only female signatory of the conservation deed take their turns to sign the deed. © WCS | Elaine Vaina. Yasina CD signing, Upper Bena, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 2025 ********************************************************** The SWM Programme is a major international initiative that aims to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah and wetland ecosystems. It is being funded by the European Union with co-funding from the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the French Development Agency (AFD). Projects are being piloted and tested with governments and communities in 17 participating countries. The initiative is coordinated by a dynamic consortium of four partners, namely the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). For more information please visit: https://www.fao.org/in-action/swm-programme/en   evaina@wcs.org Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24751 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24507/Communities-in-Gembogl-receive-legal-training.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=24507 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24507&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24507/Communities-in-Gembogl-receive-legal-training.aspx WCS PNG in partnership with the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (CELCOR) conducted a community legal education (CLE) training for local law enforcers in the Mitnande Local Level Government (LLG) jurisdiction of Chimbu province, in the Highlands of PNG. More than 40 participants - including six women and 10 youths – that collectively represent local conservation management committees (CMCs), land mediators, magistrates, community police, ward councillors, and wasman (local rangers) attended the weeklong training from 31 March to 4 April in Danbagl village. Co-facilitated by CELCOR staff Vicky Amoko, Senior Litigation Lawyer and Marjorie Warisaiho, Community Legal Education and Awareness Raising (CLEAR) Coordinator, the CLE training was focused on educating participants on their constitutional rights regarding resource ownership, use, and decision-making powers, understanding the court and land mediation processes, and incorporating conservation and biodiversity laws into the LLG development plans. Among the women participants, village court magistrate Rose Umba from the Inaugl tribe in Gembogl District shared her experiences on the roles and powers of the village court system during one of the training sessions. "Mi amamas bikos insait lo wan wik mi kisim free training na kisim planti sawe lo kainkain law blo environment na legal terms weh ol lawyer save baim bikpla moni lo kisim displa save. Na tu, bipo mipla ol village court magistrate, court clerk, na peace officer save paul na mekim wok blo narapela go kam, tasol nau mipla klia stret lo wokmak blo wanwan officer". (I am happy because in one week, I received free training and learned about the different environmental laws and legal terms that would have normally cost a lot money. Previously, for us village court magistrates, court clerks and peace officers, we were unsure about our roles and powers, but with this training we are now aware of our respective roles and responsibilities). WCS PNG’s Community Engagement Officer, Michael Kigl says the communities across the Bismarck Forest Corridor (BFC) range share a common sentiment about their lack of understanding of the existence of Constitutional laws on customary rights to ownership, land use and management to protect their natural resources. “Thus, a wider legal awareness is necessary to educate community residents to not only understand their constitutional rights and responsibilities but also empower them to participate in formulating environment and biodiversity laws and seek redress for the violation of the rules and laws and infringement on their rights.” evaina@wcs.org Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24507 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21437/Papua-New-Guinea-triples-ocean-protection-announcing-two-new-Marine-Protected-Areas.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=21437 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21437&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21437/Papua-New-Guinea-triples-ocean-protection-announcing-two-new-Marine-Protected-Areas.aspx Today, Papua New Guinea has announced over 16,000 km2 of new Marine Protected Areas in Lovongai and Murat Local Level Government jurisdictions, New Ireland Province, more than tripling ocean protections across the country The process to establish the MPAs took nearly seven years, in a massive community-led process involving over 9,000 local people from more than 100 coastal communities who all helped design the new ocean protections Thanks to the government of Papua New Guinea, the two new MPAs are a major win for the country, local communities, and critically endangered sharks, rays, and turtles – a model of community and government partnership © Elodie Van Lierde | WCS PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (November 13th, 2023) – In an incredible turn of good news for our oceans, today the government of Papua New Guinea has announced over 1.5 million hectares, more than 16,000 km3, of new Marine Protected Areas. The new MPAs more than triple ocean protections in one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world, marking a major leap forward for the country and for our oceans. A project that spanned nearly seven years including extensive free, prior, and informed consent processes, the two new MPAs in Lovongai and Murat Local Level Government (LLG) jurisdictions in New Ireland Province were designed and created in a massive partnership between local communities, national government authorities, and local non-profits including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Ailan Awareness Inc, and Lolieng Sustainable Programme. More than 9,000 people from upwards of 100 different communities had a voice in the process, on everything from the boundaries of the protected areas to the governance rules for the areas, making this one of the first and most ambitious community-led Marine Protected Area wins since governments, and the global community, committed to 30x30 in 2022. “These declarations are a result of major conservation commitments from the Government of Papua New Guinea at the 5th international Our Ocean conference in Bali in 2018, where we promised to develop 7,500 km2 of MPAs in New Ireland Province,” said Kay Kalim, Director of Sustainable Environment Programs at the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority. “With this announcement, we are very grateful to the people of Murat and Lovongai LLG and the people of New Ireland Province and its government for ensuring that we delivered on this commitment.” In the coming years, Papua New Guinea’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) believes that there is a huge potential to join or extend these two MPAs to cover an ever wider area including “the Morgado Square” – an area to the north-west of New Ireland where some restrictions are already in place to manage tuna populations. Papua New Guinea is one of the last places on earth where populations of critically endangered sawfishes can still be found. The two new MPAs include the country’s first-ever rules protecting sawfish and their relatives – the critically endangered rhino rays – making them also the first MPAs in the world with specific measures designed to protect the most threatened group of sharks and rays. Additionally, the Murat MPA includes full protection for marine turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins, and (in five of the six wards) all other shark and ray species – rules and details that were agreed on across dozens of communities, languages, and cultures. “The work of [establishing the] Murat MPA was not an easy task for all of us, the people of Murat, WCS, and stakeholders,” said Nickson Namalo, the Marine Environment Management Committee Chairman for the Murat Marine Protected Area. “Today shows the great achievement of everyone’s efforts, thank you everyone!” The community-led approach in designating Papua New Guinea’s new Marine Protected Areas meant that local voices had a chance to be heard in the process. This milestone shines a path that other countries can study and replicate, a way forward that ensures fishers and coastal communities are the ones leading protection of our coastal seas – which is how the most equitable, and most sustainable, ocean conservation progress is achieved. “In Papua New Guinea, 97% of the land and coastal regions are in some form of customary tenure – which means that local people have rights and a say over their lands and seas,” said Tracey Boslogo, Marine Conservation Officer for WCS Papua New Guinea. “The new marine protected areas in Lovongai and Murat LLGs were established through community input and consensus, providing a yardstick for equitable marine management in Papua New Guinea and beyond.” WCS supported this project over nearly seven years, and that work was made possible through the partnership of CEPA and the Government of Papua New Guinea, the New Ireland Provincial Government and LLGs, ward members, village courts, local organizations including Ailan Awareness Inc. and Lolieng Sustainable Programme, legal advisor Grace Dom, and all the communities of Lovongai and Murat LLGs. Funding in support of this work was provided over many years from Oceans 5, Re:wild, Blue Action Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the Shark Conservation Fund, the Disney Conservation Fund, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the WCS 30x30 Ocean Accelerator in partnership with The Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation, the WCS MPA Fund in partnership with the Waitt Foundation, and Harvey and Heidi Bookman. --Ends-- WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in 50+ countries and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. -- Media contact: Annisah Sapul, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - Papua New Guinea asapul@wcs.org Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21437 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21056/Protecting-Papua-New-Guineas-Unique-Biodiversity-Celebrating-48-Years-of-Independence.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=21056 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21056&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21056/Protecting-Papua-New-Guineas-Unique-Biodiversity-Celebrating-48-Years-of-Independence.aspx As Papua New Guinea (PNG) marks its 48th year of independence, it is anopportune moment to reflect on thenation's sovereign right to protect its exceptional biodiversity and it’s theintrinsic link between conservation of this biodiversity and national identity.  pgurdayal@wcs.org Fri, 15 Sep 2023 02:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21056 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20466/Inaugl-tribe-members-commit-to-legally-protect-more-than-12000-ha-of-high-biodiversity-forest.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=20466 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20466&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/20466/Inaugl-tribe-members-commit-to-legally-protect-more-than-12000-ha-of-high-biodiversity-forest.aspx Today, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Indigenous landowners of the Inaugl tribe have joined their neighbours in the Bismarck Forest Corridor to commit to legally protecting 12,241 hectares of forest under a conservation deed. The deed protects this high integrity forest from logging, while allowing for sustainable use of natural resources within marked zones.  pgurdayal@wcs.org Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20466 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18333/Kiwa-WISH-to-address-Water-Related-Disease-Risks-Climate-Resilience-and-Biodiversity.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=18333 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18333&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18333/Kiwa-WISH-to-address-Water-Related-Disease-Risks-Climate-Resilience-and-Biodiversity.aspx Through systems health and Nature-based Solutions approaches, the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health Plus (WISH+) project, funded under the Kiwa Initiative, will deliver co-benefits for climate resilience, biodiversity and human health and well-being in Papua New Guinea. pgurdayal@wcs.org Thu, 24 Nov 2022 00:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18333 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17739/More-traditional-clans-in-the-Bismarck-Forest-Corridor-of-Papua-New-Guinea-agree-on-legally-protecting-their-forest-lands-together.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=17739 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17739&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17739/More-traditional-clans-in-the-Bismarck-Forest-Corridor-of-Papua-New-Guinea-agree-on-legally-protecting-their-forest-lands-together.aspx Seven clans of the Wamiufa tribe, with a total estimated population of over 4000, have today (29.06.22) signed a legally binding contract to protect their forest biodiversity from growing threats of over-exploitation of their forest land and wildlife. pgurdayal@wcs.org Thu, 30 Jun 2022 01:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17739 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17274/NFI-and-WCS-conduct-the-first-filmmakers-selection-in-Mauberema-and-kick-start-the-Conservation-for-Culture-programme-in-the-Highlands-of-Papua-New-Guinea.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=17274 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17274&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17274/NFI-and-WCS-conduct-the-first-filmmakers-selection-in-Mauberema-and-kick-start-the-Conservation-for-Culture-programme-in-the-Highlands-of-Papua-New-Guinea.aspx In every household and every community in Papua New Guinea, telling stories is how one generation connects the next to the past and prepares the next for the future. host_rpaz Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17274 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17273/WCS-PNG-leads-the-first-community-ranger-training-in-Kwiop-and-builds-up-the-community-based-organisation-operational-capacity-to-protect-the-Mount-Goplom-Conservation-Area.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=17273 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17273&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17273/WCS-PNG-leads-the-first-community-ranger-training-in-Kwiop-and-builds-up-the-community-based-organisation-operational-capacity-to-protect-the-Mount-Goplom-Conservation-Area.aspx The SWM Programme is developing innovative solutions based on field projects in fifteen countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah and wetland environments. host_rpaz Fri, 25 Feb 2022 15:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17273 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16928/First-camera-trap-videos-of-Dwarf-Cassowaries-in-Mt-Goplom-Conservation-Area-along-the-Bismarck-forest-corridor-ecosystem.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=16928 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16928&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16928/First-camera-trap-videos-of-Dwarf-Cassowaries-in-Mt-Goplom-Conservation-Area-along-the-Bismarck-forest-corridor-ecosystem.aspx In June 2021, 48 camera traps were installed at Kwiop, Jiwaka Province, deep in the Papua New Guinea highlands. The aim was to monitor wildlife in the newly declared Mt. Goplom conservation area, which protects 3,500 ha of mature montane forest in the Bismarcks, the highest mountain range in the country. Two months after installation, the cameras were checked, their batteries replaced, and all memory cards changed, revealing the first glimpses of the seldom-seen wildlife at this remote site. The findings were just as wonderful as expected. The highlight, which got us most excited, came from a camera that was placed just in front of a spot that seemed to be frequently used by wild Dwarf Cassowaries (Casuarius bennetti). These are one of the flagship endemic species in Papua New Guinea, and the smallest of the three species of cassowaries in the country. Cassowaries are omnivorous but mainly feed on fruits. Their role in dispersing the seeds of native trees through their droppings is crucial for maintaining forest health. They are one of the most emblematic species in Papua New Guinea, fascinating ecologists and naturalists the world over. The cassowary site was identified by hunters in June during the first community ranger survey. This survey evaluated the skills and traditional ecological knowledge of 15 candidates selected by their clans to build the community’s capacity to survey and protect the integrity of the forest. Direct work with hunters is part of the WCS programme in PNG, with support from the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme funded by the European Union and the Lukautim Graun Programme, funded by the USAID. The SWM Programme is helping transform hunters into custodians of their natural resources in culturally and environmentally sustainable ways while preventing marginalisation of any community members. Across the world, the best hunters make the best rangers because they understand both their natural and social environment. Skilled hunters from Kwiop, identified this prime spot to record the daily activities of the Dwarf Cassowaries. The site consists of two small ponds, each 1 m wide by 50 cm deep, where the cassowaries were suspected to come to drink, self-groom and bathe. We were not disappointed by the results! The site yielded 249 videos of wild cassowaries (3.24 hours) that came to forage, drink, wash and sit in the pond. They also checked out the camera traps! In addition to Dwarf cassowaries, the camera captured other ground-dwelling birds, including the New Guinea Scrubfowl (Megapodius decallotus) and the Red-legged Brushturkey (Talegalla jobiensis), two species of megapodes, named for their disproportionately large feet. These birds are important for local people, who collect their large, protein-rich eggs. Figure 1. Activity pattern of cassowaries throughout the day using the ponds for drinking, grooming or bathing as measured by the total (cumulative) minutes each hour of the day where cassowary activity was recorded. Sampling effort: 72 Total time observed: 194.6 min out of 248.7 minutes of videos captured in a 72 days sampling effort. Based on size estimates, we think that three individuals, one adult and two juveniles, triggered most of the videos. However, an additional analysis will be required to confirm their total number, age and sex. Female cassowaries are larger than males, and are strictly territorial, only overlapping with one or more male territories (Campbell and al., 2012)[1]. This will help us estimate how many individual animals appear in our videos. Figure 2. Photomontage, showing the size of an adult Dwarf Cassowary compared to a human 1.65m tall. In addition to playing a crucial role in maintaining forest health, cassowaries are hugely valuable in PNG highlander culture. Their feathers are used for body decoration (bilas). Live cassowaries, captured at a young age in the forest, are given as high-status bride prices. Their meat is highly esteemed for special events. Thus, for both ecological and cultural reasons, protecting cassowaries and their habitats is critical. These first videos help the community to best manage their population locally. Figure 3.  The lower two pictures show the same Cassowary, whilst the upper images depict two other individuals. This first footage of wild dwarf cassowaries in the recently formally declared community conservation area of Kwiop is a significant achievement for the SWM Programme in Papua New Guinea, and the next steps are no less exciting. As we continue to run the camera-trap survey, the plethora of data that will emerge will be fundamental to better understand the ecology, habits, and abundances of key species. These observations will help us move into a new phase of the study, in which we plan to fit several individuals with GPS tags to determine their home ranges. We are still a long way from reaching this stage, but every step we make, together with the community, gets us closer to our goal of understanding and conserving these spectacular birds.  Campbell, H. A., et al. "Prioritising the protection of habitat utilised by southern cassowaries Casuarius casuarius johnsonii." Endangered Species Research 17.1 (2012): 53-61.       Wed, 24 Nov 2021 11:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16928 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16717/The-first-Conservation-Deed-signing-in-the-highlands-paves-way-to-Community-led-protection-of-high-value-intact-forest.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=16717 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16717&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/16717/The-first-Conservation-Deed-signing-in-the-highlands-paves-way-to-Community-led-protection-of-high-value-intact-forest.aspx     Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16717 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15983/Bilas-Preservation-Reduce-Threats-to-Wildlife.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=15983 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15983&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15983/Bilas-Preservation-Reduce-Threats-to-Wildlife.aspx An interview with Azalea Anota, Program Officer at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by the National Newspaper (PNG).  From your point of view as a conservation organization, do you think there is over-hunting for traditional bilas? If so, is this a concern and, how serious is this? In PNG, hunting targets small wild animals. It is not as frequent an activity as what ‘hunting’ would be considered in Africa or South America. Over-hunting is when an animal is captured or killed in excess of its reproductive rate, which leads to the serious reduction of that species’ population or even extinction. A recent surge in the demand for bilas ownership has raised its commercial value, increasing the quantity of wildlife hunted.  In this way hunters are encouraged to hunt for wildlife to sell either dead or alive. To understand whether wildlife is over-hunted, a simple observation can be made by understanding a hunter’s effort in the forest.  For example, if a hunter or forest owner decides to catch a cuscus, but it takes him the whole week to sight one or catch one covering a great distance, then this information provides details of a hunter’s effort. This can mean the cuscus population is declining and confined to the deep forest only, so the hunter must walk several kilometers to catch one. Today, an increasingly large number of animals used for bilas are becoming hard to catch in the forest. This suggests over-hunting is becoming a looming threat for wildlife, along with climate change and land-use change. If hunting activity continues without proper awareness and regulatory approaches, Papua New Guinea’s Bilas tradition will sadly become another dead folklore. What type of animal is more at risk, with regards to hunting for traditional bilas? And is it possible to minimize the danger to these animals? If so, how? In the highlands, bird feathers and fur from tree climbing marsupials (tree kangaroos and cuscuses) are commonly used in traditional bilas. Of the various species found in the traditional ornamentation, the Vulturine parrot, Psittrichas fulgidus (IUCN: Vulnerable) and the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo, Dendrolagus goodfellowi  (IUCN: Endangered) are at high risk of extinction in the wild because of their demand. If there is no conservation effort to protect these species, they will become extinct in the wild. This means they will not be found in the wild but only in captivity (e.g. zoo). The ‘Conservation and Environment Protection Authority’ is the government regulatory body responsible for monitoring wildlife conservation and natural resource use in PNG, and for enforcing conservation policies. At the local level, there are four simple behavioral changes people can do to protect bilas wildlife: 1) Do not hunt, capture and sell Endangered (e.g. Good fellow’s tree kangaroo), Critically Endangered (e.g. Long-beaked echidna), Vulnerable ( e.g. Nuigini Harpy eagle, Vulturine parrot) and Near Threatened (e.g. Dwarf cassowary) animal species; 2) Do not hunt or capture female animals, especially marsupials with babies in their pouch; 3) Do not buy dead or live wildlife sold in towns and markets as you will only encourage hunting activities; and 4) Avoid modern hunting tools such as snares and nets, guns, slingshot and the use of dogs when hunting. These tools increase lethality because of the improved precision and minimum effort required in capturing the animal.            Azalea Anota Doing awareness of Bilas Kit in Kubam, Jimi District in Jiwaka Province.   Photo © Alex Fanaso/WCS         Do you have any statistics to show the decrease of these “at risk” animals over the years? What other activities affect the same species of animal mentioned above?  WCS has been monitoring wildlife distribution in the Bismarck Forest Corridor since 2017 and is in the process of gathering data on the population trends of animals used for bilas. However, the concern expressed by local forest owners and hunters of the difficulty in capturing and even seeing the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo in the wild is a telling sign. The Vulturine parrot is found in the lowlands restricted to 500–1800 m in elevation (Mack and Wright 1998) and the rate of exploitation of this species for bilas shows that it is unsustainable (Nugi and Whitmore, 2019). This can be compounded by the increased forest exploitation for agricultural purposes to meet the demand of the increasing human population at the expense of the species’ habitat. Forest exploitation also increases the spread of invasive species and pushes wildlife toward a survival point of no return (by affecting habitat, population/breeding, feeding and migration), beyond which, even if left alone, the population of a species will decline toward extinction. Additional natural threats to the natural wildlife, such as climate change, forest bush fires, and spread of invasive species by natural agents (wind, animals and water) only worsens the situation. What message do you wish to disseminate to the people, through the media, with regards to conservation? Our cultural diversity exists because of the wildlife diversity in our forests, land and seas. All the wildlife in our forests and land are becoming increasingly hard to access because of two main contributing factors, over-population and climate change. Wildlife needs time to repopulate, grow and rebuild the ecosystems and human activities are preventing this to occur. In order to help the forest and land rebuild itself, communities should work together to protect their forest through conservation efforts with strict and enforceable rules suited to their geography. Such conservation tools include the Conservation Deed and Natural Resource Management Plan rules. The reforestation of degraded forest with native trees to bring back the forest is the most simple and beneficial conservation effort. Some conservation rules can be developed around harvesting enough natural resource based on taking only what you need, harvesting plants not by uprooting, replacing a felled tree with a new tree, avoid hunting female marsupials with babies in their pouches, and avoid using dogs and guns when hunting.  By managing the use and access to forest resources, we are encouraging our wildlife to regenerate with increased forest cover for future generations to have access to and enjoy. What program are you working on for this year?WCS has developed simple, cost effective bilas protection kits to help prolong the lifespan of bilas. These are given to communities we work with and are distributed during cultural shows in the region for protective covering. It is important for bilas owners to properly store their existing bilas to avoid the need to frequently replace damaged bilas, which leads to increased hunting.  A ‘Bilas Protection Kit’ consists of strong plastic sheets, plain butcher paper, naphthalene balls and an instruction pamphlet. In this way, WCS hopes to encourage bilas owners to properly protect their bilas an activity we will continue this year.  In line with that, the main conservation activity for WCS, is focused on working with communities in protecting their natural resources by assisting them in developing community natural resource management plans through land use planning. This is a tool used to assist natural resource owners identify and develop conservation management plans to protect their forest and natural resources. WCS facilitates this process that includes the development of rules by the community, on how to use their natural resources in a protected area, with the support from the European Union Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme and the USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program. Anything else you wish to add regarding your work or generally on conservation? The local people have very strong connections to their natural environment. Conservation in PNG is about the thriving of the local people on how and from where they source their food, medicine and traditional bilas, to name a few. Regardless of the origin of the term, in PNG, ‘Conservation’ means protecting our way of life.    Useful references: Grace Nugi & Nathan Whitmore (2019): More dead than alive: harvest for ceremonial headdresses threatens Pesquet’s Parrot in Papua New Guinea, Emu - Austral Ornithology IUCN. (2001). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ii + 30 pp. Mack, A. L., and Wright, D. D. (1998). The Vulturine Parrot, Psittrichas fulgidus, a threatened New Guinea endemic: Notes on its biology and conservation. Bird Conservation International 8, 185–194. doi:10.1017/S0959270900003257 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 04:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15983 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15083/Seaweed-Trial-Farming.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=15083 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15083&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/15083/Seaweed-Trial-Farming.aspx One way to encourage sustainable development and the management of marine and coastal resources is to introduce livelihood alternatives, allowing local residents to make an income from their customary sea space and lowering the need for fish sales. This can include the cultivation of certain seaweed species, extracts from which can be used as thickening agents for household and industrial products, ranging from cosmetics to toothpaste to beer. During late September, 2020, the WCS team returned to two communities in the Tsoi Islands in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, to revisit trial seaweed farms that had been installed the previous month with support from WCS. This visit enabled the team and community participants to attach seedlings of a brown seaweed species, known as Eucheuma cottonii, onto the seaweed farm ropes. The seaweed farm plots were 5m x 5m in size, and consisted of nylon ropes that ran parallel across the plot, spaced 50cm apart. The seaweed seedlings were tied to the ropes, with each seedling spaced 25cm apart and about 50cm to 70cm off the seafloor. The team and community residents also built two drying shelters for each community to dry their seaweed once harvested, which usually takes around 6 to 8 weeks. New Ireland Province has many small inhabited islands, with local people that rely on their reefs for food and livelihoods. If successful, the trial seaweed livelihoods project will help provide an alternative income to residents, allowing fishers to lower the demand on reef fish market sales in their customary waters. The community members of both communities were supportive of the project. Local volunteers helped the WCS team with great enthusiasm and were eager to learn about the seaweed farming. Community leaders mentioned that this is a good livelihood alternative for their island communities and if the project is successful, they will go ahead and build more farms in their area. This project is funded by Blue Action Fund. Fri, 23 Oct 2020 02:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15083 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14773/Shark-Quest-Are-the-Worlds-Most-Endangered-Rays-Living-in-New-Ireland-Province-Papua-New-Guinea.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14773 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14773&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14773/Shark-Quest-Are-the-Worlds-Most-Endangered-Rays-Living-in-New-Ireland-Province-Papua-New-Guinea.aspx Solving this biodiversity mystery could reveal one of the most important sites to conserve these “rhinos of the sea.“We saw two swimming past our canoe the other day as we came to shore!” “Yes, we saw one over towards the mangroves not so long ago…” “There was one in our net near the big river…” Scientists love having a mystery to solve and gathering clues to find out if something is real or not. Since January 2019 my organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, has been collecting evidence to confirm whether highly endangered sawfish and their relatives — the wedgefish, guitarfish and giant guitarfish (collectively and affectionately known as “rhino rays”) — live in the coastal waters of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea.   Mon, 17 Aug 2020 06:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14773 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14585/K20000-for-Wildlife-Apeal.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14585 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14585&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14585/K20000-for-Wildlife-Apeal.aspx Port Moresby Nature Park has received a generous donation of K20,000 from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), PNG through the recently launched ‘Wildlife Appeal’.WCS Country Director to Papua New Guinea, Dr. Ambroise Brenier, said: “Port Moresby Nature Park, Papua New Guinea’s highest visited single recreational facility, is doing a fantastic job in promoting and supporting the conservation of the country’s unique biodiversity.“The Wildlife Conservation Society, the longest established international conservation organisation operating in Papua New Guinea, also manages four zoos and one aquarium in New York, USA. We are thus well aware of the challenges that zoos are facing during COVID-19 pandemic and we hope that our donation can help Port Moresby Nature Park to continue its important work in wildlife conservation in Papua New Guinea.”It costs Port Moresby Nature Park K110,000 per month to look after the Park’s 550-plus native animals: from the purchasing of food to paying wildlife officer wages, to electricity powering pumps, heating and cooling life-support systems, to water for exhibit cleaning, filling ponds and wildlife drinking and to security services to keep the Park’s wildlife and property safe.These monthly expenses exclude the costs of the Park’s other vital services, including the school’s education programs, research programs, general Park maintenance and garden upkeep and provision of the Nature Park’s public events.As a registered charitable organisation, Port Moresby Nature Park derives 70 percent of its income through visitation and local business support. However, since the State of Emergency, the Park’s visitation has dropped over 75 percent and a number of PNG businesses have been unable to lend as much support.Port Moresby Nature Park’s CEO, Michelle McGeorge, said: “We are immensely grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Society for recognising the Nature Park’s commitment to the care and rehabilitation of native wildlife, many facing extinction if not orphaned, abandoned or injured.“The donation WCS has made will help us to ensure that our wildlife care can continue despite the financial strain we are currently faced with due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”McGeorge noted that other ways local residents could support the Park was by visiting, joining the Park’s membership program, eating at the Park’s café or buying something from their souvenir shop.The Nature Park is open every day with a number of additional COVID-19 safety measures in place.Story on PNG Loop. Mon, 13 Jul 2020 05:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14585 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14505/Pelagic-Fishing-Training-conducted-in-Kavieng-New-Ireland-Province.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14505 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14505&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14505/Pelagic-Fishing-Training-conducted-in-Kavieng-New-Ireland-Province.aspx With 77% of New Irelanders living in the coastal zone, fishing provides an important livelihood for both feeding families and for making money. Yet what is the best way to catch, handle and preserve fish – and how can I make the most money from the fish I catch? And how can I catch fish without harming vulnerable coral reefs? To help answer these questions, the WCS Kavieng team, with the support of Roger Mark and Emmanuel Tamba from the New Ireland Provincial Fisheries Office, travelled to 11 communities in western New Ireland Province to conduct training workshops on pelagic (open water) fishing techniques and post-harvest fish handling and processing methods. This training occurred in late-May and early June, 2020.Subsistence fishing villages hug the coast and adjacent islands of New Ireland Province, so this training was especially beneficial for local residents, who have relied on the sea for food, traditions and livelihoods for generations. However, recent population growth, better fishing methods, marine habitat destruction, and an increased demand for reef fish has led to local fish stock declines and damage to coral reefs, which the fish depend on. In order to help residents sustainably manage their seas, training workshops encouraged villagers to go fishing in the open sea, and to use fish aggregating devices (FADs), which can attract tunas, mackerels and other open water fish, and take fishing pressure off more vulnerable reef fish species.The training program began with learning how to tie daisy-line knots for catching open water fish, and was then followed by a trip to the FAD to trial out the daisy lines, and to demonstrate the use of vertical longlines. The FAD trip was followed by a practical sessions on fish gilling, gutting, cleaning, salting and smoking.The residents that took part in the workshops said they were very pleased with the training, and that they were looking forward to trying out the skills they had learned in their own villages. The activity is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Fri, 26 Jun 2020 03:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14505 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14341/LMMA-Learning-Workshop.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14341 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14341&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14341/LMMA-Learning-Workshop.aspx They say “Life is a Learning Curve”, which is a truism for coastal management: Lessons learned from former marine management areas can help with the development of new marine management zones. As such, in June 2020, eighteen community leaders from Lovongai Island and the Tigak Islands, both located in New Ireland Province, attended a 5-day learning exchange workshop with the theme “Promoting successful marine management through learning, sharing and networking in New Ireland”, which was hosted at Ranguva Solwara Skul (“Sea School”). The workshop was facilitated by WCS and Ailan Awareness, a local non-governmental organisation based in New Ireland Province, who established and is running the Ranguva Solwara Skul.For three days, invited communities could exchange their experiences regarding marine management initiatives, while also learning from Ailan Awareness and WCS at Ranguva Solwara Skul. Some of the topics covered included marine ecology, as well as the threats to marine resources and coastal management options, to help marine managers to make better local management decisions. Following the training, two days were spent at two Ailan Awareness sites – Pananarau and Parakukup, both on the west coast of New Ireland Province – where traditional management approaches have been revived. The programme encouraged participants to appreciate the role of traditions and custom in marine management, and the participants were able to share their experiences of successes and challenges with West coast communities, providing opportunities for more effective marine management. The event ended with a traditional pig cutting ceremony and with participants attaching traditional “mis” shell money to a selected tree, to signify the closure of all fishing practices in the area.The community representatives thanked Ailan Awareness and WCS for hosting this learning programme and hoped that there will be more such opportunities to motivate local communities so that they continue to safeguard their marine resources for the future generations.Thank you WCS Marine Protected Areas Fund and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for supporting this work. Fri, 19 Jun 2020 06:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14341 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14288/Launching-of-10-million-trees-planting-program.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14288 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14288&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14288/Launching-of-10-million-trees-planting-program.aspx In preparation for World Environment Day this Friday the Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Hon. Wera Mori officially launched the 10 million tree planting program in the Eastern Highlands Province on Friday, May 28. The aim of this program is to plant 1 million trees every year for 10 years to contribute to the mitigation of climate change impacts, the protection of the environment, and to improve livelihoods for local communities. At present the program is focused on the Eastern Highlands and Simbu Provinces. A number of guests attended the launch including the National Capital District Governor Hon. Powes Pakop, Unggai Bena MP Hon. Benny Allan, UNDP Resident Representative Dirk Wagener, Climate Change Development Authority Managing Director Ruel Yamuna, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority Deputy Managing Director Dilu Muguwa, Cardno Deputy Chief of Party Tom Pringel, and WCS Country Director Dr. Ambroise Brenier.  As part of the launching program the Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change and all the guests visited WCS demonstration nursery in Goroka and learned from WCS community reforestation program. This program is a partnership between WCS and four communities living along the Bismarck Range. In total, over the last three years, more than 32,000 community-grown Highlands native timber and tree crops seedlings have been produced. These have been planted over 42 hectares, which is approximately equal to the total calculated area deforested in these four communities between 2001–2013.  In addition, WCS facilitated guests from the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, Cardno, K92 Mining and the Asaro District to visit the Wamuifa community. WCS was proud to take participants to this community, which WCS has supported to develop two community nurseries. The Namta St. Benedict Primary school, Wamiufa community-based organisation (WAMU5) and local councilor, President Peter Sundu hosted the ceremony. Highlights of the event included local musicians and cultural dances, distribution of native tree seedlings and environment awareness posters by WCS, quizzes and presentation of gifts to school students by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority.   Finally, as part of this launching program, the Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Hon. Wera Mori presented K10,000 to WCS to assist our native tree community reforestation program.  WCS community reforestation program is funded by the European Union’s Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the USAID Lukautim Graun Project. Wed, 03 Jun 2020 22:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14288 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14287/WCS-Team-delivers-food-relief-to-victims.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14287 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14287&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14287/WCS-Team-delivers-food-relief-to-victims.aspx A TEAM from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCSPNG) based in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, is one of the groups that delivered some urgently needed food relief to the victims of Kegesuglo landslip.WCSPNG, in coordination with local community-based organisation (CBO) KGWan Eco-Habitat Inc, visited the community at the foot of PNG’s highest mountain Mt Wilhelm, on April 23 and delivered the food.WCSPNG assistant director John Kuange expressed his condolences to the relatives of the 10 people who died in the mudslide there on Good Friday.“This is contribution is to support the haus krai and families who lost their gardens,” he said.“WCS had engagements with the community through environment conservation with KGWan Eco-Habitat Inc.“It is only proper to step in and assist in such times to demonstrate how much WCS values its working relationship with communities all across the country.”Kuange also warned that landslides were bound to occur again and it was proper for the community to plan ahead to stabilse the area through a reforestation programme.Tragedy struck the Kegesuglo community and destroyed Gove village.The landslide, killed 10 and left many homeless and their food gardens destroyed. Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14287 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14227/WCS-PNG-visit-new-project-site.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14227 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14227&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14227/WCS-PNG-visit-new-project-site.aspx The WCS Highlands team recently visited a new project site in Mauberema, located in Sinesine Yongumugl District, Chimbu Province. The team arrived to a warm welcome from the executives and members of the Mauberema Ecotourism & Conservation Project (MENCERTC) community-based organization (CBO). MENCERTC was established in 2017 and has been working to conserve Mauberema’s wildlife and support Mauberema community’s development aspirations. WCS has been impressed with this CBO’s hard work and commitment to conservation of a critical biodiversity habitat. Therefore, after previous community meetings and discussions, WCS is now supporting the CBO and the community through funding from the USAID Lukautim Graun Project (LGP), which translates to ‘Protect the Environment’.  During the visit, WCS provided awareness on COVID-19 safety measures and then discussed the MENCERTC’s current projects to identify ways to strengthen their on-going work and support new activities as part of the USAID LGP. MENCERTC is currently providing awareness to their community on conservation, maintaining a community native tree nursery and working to establish a community conservation area. These are key activities which WCS has expertise in and will help strengthen over the coming five years under the LGP. The proposed community conservation area will protect at least 2,500 hectares of amazing montane forest area which contains a number of attractions such as waterfalls, a deep sapphire lake and limestone caves. The area, not far from the Okuk Highway, boasts many of the wildlife species for which the Highlands region is famed. This includes species at risk of extinction such as the New Guinea Harpy-Eagle, Dwarf Cassowary and New Guinea Pademelon. During the trip, WCS worked with a local wildlife expert to develop a list of birds and mammals in the area which will be updated following future wildlife monitoring by MENCERTC and WCS. MENCERTC also expressed their wish to undertake proper GIS mapping and land use planning with WCS assistance.  Women’s group representatives received their own special meetings to discuss the roles that women can plan in USAID LGP work. One aspect of this was the proper preservation of traditional costumes which are a main reason for the collection of feathers, fur and other materials from threatened or endangered species. Proper storage and conservation of traditional costumes extends their life and reduces pressure on these species.  The WCS team also discussed opportunities for ecotourism linked conservation activities, and particularly conservation-linked micro-enterprise development for women. The WCS team hopes to increase economic opportunities and women’s empowerment with the support of CARE International and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), which are partners under LGP through funding from the US White House Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.  MENCERTC is jointly supported by WCS through USAID LGP, Partners with Melanesians, the National Agricultural Research Institute, the University of Goroka and the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre. We look forward to collaborating with them to support the community’s conservation goals and to contribute to the broader landscape conservation goals in the Bismarck Forest Corridor. Thu, 21 May 2020 06:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14227 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14070/Risks-in-road-expansion-plan.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14070 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14070&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14070/Risks-in-road-expansion-plan.aspx THE Government of Papua New Guinea outlined an ambitious plan to nearly double the size of the national road network under the Medium-Term Development Plan 2018-2022 with aims of spurring economic growth and social service delivery.However, in a recently published joint analysis of these plans in the international scientific journal Plos One, researchers from James Cook University, the University of Papua New Guinea and the Wildlife Conservation Society PNG found the plan has not adequately considered the environmental and socio-economic impacts of these proposed roads.Instead, they note that a massive expansion of the road network could lead to a lose-lose situation where road expansion results in logging companies rapidly deforesting the country causing substantial biodiversity and carbon stock loss while reducing the long-term ability of rural communities to sustain their livelihoods.Meanwhile, ongoing high maintenance costs of the proposed roads mean many would become rapidly unusable, as is currently the case for nearly two-thirds of national roads.In the study, the scientists assessed the road building plans using fine-scale biophysical and environmental data. They identified numerous environmental and socioeconomic risks associated with these projects.Dr Mason Campbell, one of the leading researchers on the project noted “the current plans would result in significant forest loss, dissection of critical biodiversity habitats, and loss of forest connectivity across large expanses of the country”.If this were to occur he says there would be “severe biodiversity impacts along with loss of services to communities”.Many planned roads would, for instance, traverse rainforests and carbon-rich peatlands, creating new deforestation hotspots via rapid expansion of logging, mining, and oil-palm plantations. This outcome would contradict Papua New Guinea’s international commitments to promote low-carbon development and forest conservation for climate-change mitigation. admin_jpalmer Wed, 22 Apr 2020 04:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14070 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14060/Papua-New-Guinea-Forest-Nursery-Program-Supports-Livelihoods-and-Wildlife.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14060 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14060&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14060/Papua-New-Guinea-Forest-Nursery-Program-Supports-Livelihoods-and-Wildlife.aspx The Highlands of Papua New Guinea are one of the most biologically rich regions on earth. The magnificent forests of the region have supported the culture and livelihoods of communities for millennia and are famed around the world for iconic species such as birds-of-paradise and tree kangaroos.However, as the population rapidly grows and communities seek to increase cash incomes, the region’s incredible biodiversity is declining. Iconic species such as the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo and Pesquet’s parrot are now at risk of extinction. Forest areas are being degraded and removed entirely — both for timber and so that local people can extend garden areas adjacent to their villages.In an effort to protect the region’s biodiversity, WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) is working to support communities committed to sustainably managing their forests and wildlife while also strengthening the sustainability of community livelihoods. Tue, 21 Apr 2020 05:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14060 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14059/Manus-Islands-Great-Central-Forest-Under-Threat.aspx#Comments 0 https://png.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6265&ModuleID=12159&ArticleID=14059 https://png.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14059&PortalID=124&TabID=6265 https://png.wcs.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14059/Manus-Islands-Great-Central-Forest-Under-Threat.aspx For many years, biologists and conservationists across the globe have recognized Papua New Guinea as one of the world’s greatest hotspots for biodiversity. Some 300 kilometers north of New Guinea’s mainland is the island of Manus. Its Great Central Forest covers approximately 70,000 hectares of the largest, remnant patch of intact forest in the Admiralty Islands.The forest boasts many species found nowhere else, including the Admiralty cuscus, the Superb Pita, and the Manus melomys. Scientists still routinely uncover new forest creatures. Recent discoveries include four species of frog (yet to be described), a giant gecko (Gehyra rohan) and a very large rat (Rattus detentus).Maintaining the integrity of the Great Central Forest also benefits local people, who rely on it for as housing materials, medicine, drinkable water, and food. One of the most important native species for these communities is the Admiralty cuscus (Spilocuscus kraemeri), a furry, nocturnal cat-sized marsupial that serves as a major source of dietary protein. Tue, 21 Apr 2020 01:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14059