TKCP awarded grant in UK’s Darwin Initiative Awards

British Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Julian Murray met with Ms. Modi Pontio, Executive Director of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Programme, and TKCP officials. (Image: Supplied)

The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program [TKCP] are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the UK Government as part of their Darwin Initiative Awards.

The UK Government award will support the TKCP in their work to protect the forests and biodiversity in PNG, including the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo, and to assist over 50 remote villages in the 162,000-hectare YUS Conservation Area.

Through partnerships with YUS communities, TKCP promotes wildlife conservation, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, education, one health, and solar-powered lighting.

The YUS landscape spans across four Local Level Governments involving 18 Wards across Morobe and Madang.

TKCP Executive Director Modi Pontio says a key focus of the Darwin Initiative grant will be to strengthen the capability of customary landowner groups, government, and nongovernmental stakeholders in the effective management of the YUS Conservation Area.

“Over the next two years, this project will equip the YUS Conservation Area’s Ward and Local Level Governments with the knowledge and skills to create their respective Development Plans through a consultative process informed by a diverse range of community leaders,” says Ms Pontio.

“Through this grant, TKCP will provide sustained training, mentorship, and guidance for Ward Councilors, Ward Development Committees, Local Level Government, and Community-Based Organizations in the
YUS Conservation Area.

“By targeting the capacity of customary landowners, leaders, and their local elected representatives, this project will enhance the protected area’s management effectiveness via increased government contribution and accountability.

“TKCP is collaborating with PNG’s Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs [DPLGA] and others to refine and clarify the YUS Conservation Area’s integrated planning framework for
conservation and development.

“We are grateful for the UK’s support in this initiative, which will help TKCP continue to protect the rich biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage of the Huon Peninsula,” she says.

British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Anne Macro, says the UK government is excited to see the Darwin Initiative return to PNG.

“The Darwin Initiative grants assist low and middle-income countries to conserve their unique biodiversity, reduce poverty and address climate change. Since 2022, Darwin Initiative projects have enabled countries to manage 591,000 hectares of habitat more sustainably, and 130,000 people to improve their resilience to natural disasters and climate change.”

The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program’s mission is to foster wildlife and habitat conservation and support local community livelihoods in Papua New Guinea through global partnerships, habitat protection, and scientific research.

Founded in 1996 as an international wildlife conservation program of the United States based Woodland Park Zoological Society to protect the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo and its cloud forest habitat, TKCP has grown to become a leading and influential endeavor promoting a holistic, one-health [benefitting wildlife, people, and the environment] approach to community-based natural resource management and wildlife conservation.