2004 WCS-PNG Country Program
Overview
WCS is the only NGO working in Papua New Guinea that specializes in
scientific research and the training of national biologists and
conservationists. This is our special niche. To conserve
biodiversity we must know something about it; and long-lasting
conservation must come from a country's own citizens. We also do
site-based conservation and conservation awareness. We have been
working in PNG longer than any other international NGO and have
strong, well tested programs.
WCS began funding
biological researchers in PNG in 1977 when they funded David
Gillison to work with Birds of Paradise in the Crater Mountain
region. From 1987 through 1993 WCS funded Andrew Mack and Debra
Wright to research cassowary ecology at Crater.
In 1994 they
funded Debra to return for plant demography studies and from
1996 through 1999 they funded Andrew and Debra to conduct
biodiversity studies at Crater. From 1992 through 1994 WCS
funded Keyt Fisher to study cuscus and ringtails at a newly
established field site on Mt. Mekil in Sandaun Province. WCS
funded PhD research by Leo Salas and Suzette Stephens at Mekil
from 1995 through 2000 on arboreal marsupials.
WCS funded
anthropological research by Robert and Belinda Blinkoff from
1995 through 1998 to work with Mekil landowners to form a
conservation management plan. From 1994 through 1996 WCS funded
Ross Sinclair to study megapodes in the Crater WMA and funded
Gary Dodson to work on Antlered Flies in 1994 and 1996. WCS
funded David Bickford to work on frog phylogeny and reproduction
from 1996 through 1999. From 1999 through 2000 WCS funded Nancy
Irwin to study Nyctimene bats in PNG and has been funding Edwin
Scholes for studies of birds of paradise since 2000. In 1999 the
official WCS-PNG Program was formed with Andrew Mack and Debra
Wright as co-directors. In 2002 Ross Sinclair joined as
assistant director to help mentor the growing number of PNG
intern biologists on staff. The WCS Marine Program began PNG
operations in 2002
