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.

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.

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/