WCS strengthens community conservation efforts

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has brought together nine community-based conservation organisations for the first time at Yasina, Ungai-Bena District, Eastern Highlands, to strengthen collaboration and protect biodiversity across the Bismarck Forest Corridor.

WCS Senior Community Relations Manager, Bennie Atigini says the workshop brings the inter Community Based Organisations (CBOs) representatives together to build resilience in their respective conservation areas.

“The workshop aims to strengthen networks, promote the exchange conservation knowledge and support sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resources across the Bismarck forest corridor.

“We have brought CBO leaders together to share their experiences over the past 12 months, discuss their challenges and identify ways we can collaborate as an organisation to implement conservation programmes and support livelihood activities on the ground,” Bennie said.

Bennie Atigini, WCS Community Relations Manager, facilitated the Inter-CBO Workshop at Yasina *(Supplied)*

He says the Wild-Life Conservation society is trying to create an avenue to build governance structures for CBO’s groups and understand the challenges and work together to address them in their respective CBO’s and their communities.

Mt Dorohere Conservation Area representative Stephanie Alois says the workshop has strengthened her understanding of governance and livelihood programmes to better support communities and conservation efforts.

“Conservation is a big responsibility, and everyone must play their part in protecting our forests and water sources.”

Speaking as a young conservation advocate, Stephanie is urging youths to take an active role in community development and conservation to protect their natural resources for future generations.

“My message to young people is to take part in community activities such as agriculture and conservation. We must take responsibility because we are the ones who will lead our communities in the future,” she said.

The workshop brought together six established conservation areas and three emerging sites across Madang, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu and Jiwaka provinces, all within the Bismarck Forest Corridor.