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Dr Sangion Tiu

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Research Conservation Foundation (PNG) manages one of the largest Wild Life Management areas, found in Eastern Highlands province, the Crater Mountain Wild Life Management Area.

Papua New Guinea is one of the last frontiers and has large amounts of its forest and vegetation still intact with unique native flora and fauna, clearing of forest and vegetation for infrastructure and development, coupled with an increase in population has put our unique flora and fauna at risk of being over-exploited.

Environment Conservation is everyone’s choice, and those that continue to uphold conservation, find it rewarding in preserving PNGs remaining plants and animals deep in the jungles of rural Papua New Guinea.

RCF PNG Director Dr Sangion Tiu and her team are based in Goroka town, since 1993. RCF PNG have overseen and facilitated in managing the Crater Mountain Wild Life Management Area and with the help of international organizations like the GEF Small Grants, they continue the good work of conservation.

Director of Research and Conservation Foundation (PNG) Dr. Sangion Tui

While development is inevitable and is certainly part of a developing nation, managing land to cater for conservation and other activities is a must.

The crater mountain area remains protected, and species of plants and animals thrive in their eco-system with some thought to have been extinct, have found refuge in the mountains.

Conservation allows for the study of our flora and fauna and continued research helps us establish a fair understanding of the species that are endemic to Papua New Guinea.

Dr Sangion Tiu says there are policies in place by Government to support conservation.

https://youtu.be/IXoGb3Dxukc

Related: https://insidepng.com/research-and-conservation-of-pngs-biodiversity/

Nestled in the heart of Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province is the Research and Conservation Foundation (RCF). It was established in 1986 first as a facility to manage the Crater Mountain Wildlife area, the second largest conservation area in PNG bordering Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Gulf provinces. It is second to the Tonda Wildlife Management Area in Western province.

The Crater Wildlife Management Area was created in 1992 and through donor funding, the operations of RCF was moved to Goroka from Port Moresby. Enabling work to progress with locals especially those interested in conservation work.

An RCF officer holding a rare Bird of Paradise Species, one of many found in the Crater Mountains Conservation Area.

For over 20 years the Foundation has been collaborating with educational institutions providing learning and research aimed at protecting unique species such as the Bird of Paradise as well as several species of mammals and birds in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.

Research and Conservation Foundation currently has two main programs, the National Resources Management Program and the Conservation Education Program. 

RCF’s passionate environment educator is Dr Sangion Tiu.  As a secondary school teacher back in 2000, she joined RCF to help set up the Resource Centre and create educational programs. Dr Tiu is the Director of RCF together with a dedicated team of 20 staff they manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization. As an NGO, Research Conservation Foundation relies on donor funding however it also has a guest house and conference facilities to help sustain its operations.  Local and international scientists as well as tourists are regular visitors where information on PNG’s biodiversity can be sourced.

RCF Director Doctor Sangion Tiu at work in her office.

In partnership with Balob Teachers College, Simbu Teachers College and the University of Goroka, RCF is able to take the message of conservation from the field into the classrooms. This week in Goroka, RCF together with Conservation Forum of PNG and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program hosted SGP grantees from the Highlands region.  The participants received training on management and leadership, project designing, proposal writing and effective communication strategies.

RCF is a current recipient of the Small Grants Program, implementing a project and assessing the effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Crater Mountain Wildlife area.  

Related: https://insidepng.com/transforming-papua-new-guinea-into-a-force-of-nature/

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