Support the Wanang Indigenous Peoples’ Bold Stand Against Logging
Support More Work Like This Support More Work Like ThisLogging, hunting, and habitat loss threaten the exceptional biodiversity of Papua New Guinea’s lowland rainforest.
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Species at Risk
Black-spotted Cuscus (CR), Spectacled Flying Fox (EN), Papuan Eagle (VU), Southern Cassowary (LC), Lesser Bird-of-paradise (LC)
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Carbon stored
7,301,497 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
New Guinea Binatang Research Center
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31,000 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Government Designation of a Community Conservation Area (CCA)
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Project Cost: $383,870
31,000
Logging, hunting, and habitat loss threaten the exceptional biodiversity of Papua New Guinea’s lowland rainforest.
-
Species at Risk
Black-spotted Cuscus (CR), Spectacled Flying Fox (EN), Papuan Eagle (VU), Southern Cassowary (LC), Lesser Bird-of-paradise (LC)
-
Carbon stored
7,301,497 mT *
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
New Guinea Binatang Research Center
-
31,000 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Government Designation of a Community Conservation Area (CCA)
-
Project Cost: £307,098
31,000
Highlights:
- In Papua New Guinea’s highly intact rainforest, the Wanang Conservation Area shelters rare wildlife including the Endangered Spectacled Flying Fox and the Lesser Bird-of-paradise.
- Rainforest Trust and our local partner, the New Guinea Binatang Research Center, will support Indigenous Wanang clans in securing permanent protection across 31,000 acres.
- The project area holds 7.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents, which is more than one year of U.S. emissions
On the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, intact forests cover 80% of Papua New Guinea and create habitat for spectacular biodiversity. But the pressures of logging weigh heavy on this forest and its communities.
The Wanang people have stood their ground against powerful logging interests for decades, facing off against bribes and violence. These lands and waters have sustained the health, traditions, culture, and way of life of the Wanang people for thousands of years. In 2000, to protect their communities, the rainforest, and its wildlife, nine village clans formed the Wanang Conservation Area.
Today, the clans are working to secure permanent land protection through government designation of a Community Conservation Area (CCA). Rainforest Trust and our partner, the New Guinea Binatang Research Center, will support the Wanang clans in this process to protect 31,000 acres of highly intact rainforest and permanently prohibit logging concessions.
Header photo: Endangered Spectacled Flying Fox © Puffin’s Pictures
Scientists have identified
species of butterflies in the Wanang Conservation Area.
Explore the Lowland Rainforest of Papua New Guinea
Lesser Bird of Paradise, by Kurit Afshen
Wanang Forests, courtesy of New Guinea Binatang Research Center
Southern Cassowary, by Martin Pelanek
Wanang Forests, courtesy of New Guinea Binatang Research Center
Endangered Spectacled Flying Fox, courtesy of New Guinea Binatang Research Center
Wanang Forests, courtesy of New Guinea Binatang Research Center
Endangered Spectacled Flying Fox, courtesy of New Guinea Binatang Research Center
A Sanctuary for Rare Species
In its near-pristine state, the Wanang Conservation Area harbors 550 species of trees and shrubs that create habitat for exceptional wildlife. Two hundred butterfly species flit between the trees. Spectacular bird species, like the Lesser Bird-of-paradise, nest among the branches. They share the forest with wildlife on the edge of extinction, including the Endangered Spectacled Flying Fox and the Critically Endangered Black-spotted Cuscus.
Lowland rainforests are important for carbon storage. Yet this type of habitat is globally underprotected. In this project area alone, the forest holds 7.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents. That is more than one year of U.S. emissions.
Local Science for Global Benefit
Our partner has collaborated on biodiversity research with the Wanang community since 2004, building an internationally important research program that benefits the community. The Wanang people are conservation leaders in Papua New Guinea. This project centers on their experience and supports their efforts to bridge conservation with social, scientific, and economic development.
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Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.
Project Modifications
Rainforest Trust conducts extensive research and due diligence on each of the projects that we support, so that once a project is offered for public support we believe it will succeed. We work closely with our project implementers, offer support, and regularly monitor their progress. Given the nature of the work, projects may not progress exactly as intended and may be unable to meet all objectives. To respond dynamically to the needs of our project implementers and the realities of the landscapes in which they operate, Rainforest Trust expressly reserves the right to modify a project as it deems necessary, provided that donor intent is honored by ensuring that that the original project objectives are diligently pursued and that project funds continue to benefit the landscape and species identified in the project overview. Project modifications that we may need to make in certain circumstances include the specific project implementer, the size of the landscape to be protected, the type of protection to be afforded to the landscape, and the development of sustainability mechanisms.
Partnering to Save Rainforest
Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects.
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