LocationsGetting involved and understanding the importance of the environment at a young age can be an important tool for conservation efforts in the country.
Caring for the environment starts at a young age
July 31, 2022
Jubilee Catholic Secondary School students visited the display booth at the recently held Protected Area forum.
Clive Hawigen | UNDP Papua New Guinea.
The Jubilee Catholic Secondary School's Environmental Club visited the display stalls at the Protect Area Forum as part of the clubs World Environment Day programme.
The students were happy to visit the stalls and were interested to find out more about conservation work in the country
Jubilee Catholic Secondary School Teacher and an environment enthusiast, Ms Kinibo Duri, said the Environment Club is to get the children involved in, and to understand the importance of, environment conservation.
“Our aim is for children to come here and get educated. There is a lot of Information out there but it needs to get to the household, communities and peers. The awareness to protect flora and fauna is not there and children can be the ones to change this,” said Ms Duri.
Jubilee Secondary School's Environment Club comprises grades 9-12.
Clive Hawigen l UNDP Papua New Guinea
The Environmental Club is a mixture of grades 9 to 12. Students join the club because they have a love for the environment and an interest to spread information on the importance of conversation.
Ms Kinimbo Duri.
Clive Hawigen l UNDP Papua New Guinea
Ms Duri said, “There’s only one earth. If you do something negative about it, we all will be affected. No one is isolated. We’re all living in this one earth. There’s no other planet like earth.”
What participants had to say at the recently held Protected Area Forum.
Tracy Bosologo – Marine Conservation Officer, Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS)
Tracy Bosologo.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
Tracy Bosologo is a Marine Conservation Officer for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) marine programme based in Kavieng, New Ireland Province.
“I believe this forum is a good avenue where all stakeholders can gather to share their conservation experiences and challenges. This is the best way forward, to bring everyone who are in the conservation space together to address and share challenges or positive outcomes and provide recommendations for the way forward.”
“In terms of capacity and implementation of conservation and environment protection, there are some barriers or challenges, this forum provides the opportunity to convey these issues and find solutions, more specifically for myself in the marine conservation space.”
“It’s also great exposure for young Papua New Guineans, who can learn from seasoned experts who have been driving conservation and biodiversity protection for many years, so that in the future we the younger generation of conservationists can carry on the same work and meet the goals of the country.”
Murraylyn Kume - Program Director AsPles Foundation
Murraylyn Kume.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
The theme of this Protected Areas forum is very appropriate, ‘Wanpla Graun Blo Yumi Olgeta.’
Basically, it conveys the message that, all the land here in Papua New Guinea essentially belongs to all of us and that it is our collective responsibility to ensure its health and well-being.
“I have travelled from the highlands to attend this forum, due to its significance towards our work, it is a beneficial occasion - to be able to get the insights and opinions of CBOs from all over the country, which can support us to develop the necessary plans and programs that will enhance our efforts to maintain protected Areas.”
“Our first program is with the Nebilyer people (Tambul-Nebilyer District). We work in conflict zones to initiate activities for the communities such as tree planting and various other programs that will bring together tribes."
“In conflict settings, and vulnerable communities, the government system needs strengthening, so through initiatives such as tree planting, we were able to bring people together, and from there develop adaptation plans that are integrated in their district plans. We provide support for the District Development Authority and the provincial government to develop climate adaptation plans for communities.”
John Lamaris – Terrestrial Conservation Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
John Lamaris.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
“Where we place our protected areas has to have significance globally and scientifically, as well as culturally – meeting the standards of a protected area whilst upholding our customs and traditions”
John Lamaris is the terrestrial conservation coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Papua New Guinea Programme.
“WCS's programme in Papua New Guinea compliments our global programme. We aim to work towards protecting wildlife and wild habitats here and across the world."
“Our aim is to empower our people with healthy seas and healthy forests, in translation - lukautim gutpla bush gutpla solwara gutpla sidaun.”
“This is a great forum, to share our experiences and take lessons from our conservation colleagues, sharing specific issues that have been encountered throughout their efforts to protect nature – and how best we can move forward to meet the global targets for Protected Areas.”
“Our focus at this forum is to try and introduce the idea that, wherever we put protected areas in Papua New Guinea, it should be guided by core scientific principles, and also include cultural and traditional values.”
“Our aim is for children to come here and get educated. There is a lot of Information out there but it needs to get to the household, communities and peers. The awareness to protect flora and fauna is not there and children can be the ones to change this,”Ms Kinimbo Duri.
