Wildlife Conservation Society PNG

What Wildlife Conservation Society PNG does

Wildlife Conservation Society PNG (WCS PNG) is the Papua New Guinea country program of the global Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in the Bronx, New York. Operating since the late-1970s, WCS PNG works with indigenous clans, tribes, and local communities across 11 of PNG's 22 provinces to deliver community-led biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and marine and forest protection in the Bismarck Forest Corridor and the Bismarck Sea seascapes of the Coral Triangle. Its core methodology involves facilitating Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes, conservation deed agreements, land-use management plans, and marine protected area establishment in partnership with PNG's Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and provincial governments.

The organization's programs span ecosystem protection (mangrove rehabilitation, blue carbon, seagrass), livelihoods (seaweed farming, pelagic fishing, food security), community engagement (ranger training, legal awareness, community legal education), and biodiversity monitoring (camera traps, species research). WCS PNG is funded entirely through grants and donations from international development agencies (AFD, EU, USAID, BMUV/IKI, Australian DFAT, UNDP, FAO, SPREP), multilateral mechanisms (Kiwa Initiative WISH+), and conservation foundations (Oceans 5, Re:wild, Blue Action Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, MacArthur, Packard, Disney Conservation Fund, and others). It does not sell products or services commercially and has approximately 7 staff based across field offices in Goroka (Eastern Highlands Province) and Kavieng (New Ireland Province), embedded in a network of indigenous community partnerships that embody the mission statement "Gutpela sindaun, gutpela solwara, gutpela bus" (Empowered people with healthy forests and seas).

Name

Wildlife Conservation Society PNG

Legal name

Wildlife Conservation Society

Website

https://png.wcs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WCS PNG is a nonprofit conservation organization and country program of Wildlife Conservation Society, operating since the late-1970s across 11 of 22 Papua New Guinea provinces. It works with indigenous communities to deliver marine protected areas, forest conservation deeds, blue carbon programs, and sustainable livelihoods in the Bismarck Forest Corridor and Bismarck Sea.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAB

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAGAA

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPADALAE

Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYEUABABAC

Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Project Development & Origination (Nature-based & Tech-based)

Keywords

• Community conservation
• Marine protected areas
• Biodiversity conservation
• Forest conservation
• Sustainable wildlife management

Headquarters

HQ city

Goroka (Highlands office)

HQ country

Papua New Guinea

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: WCS PNG operates as a nonprofit conservation organization funded through grants, donations, and programmatic funding from international development agencies, governments, foundations, and corporate donors. Key funding sources include: AFD (€15 million for SoNG programme), European Union (Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme), German Federal Ministry for Environment BMUV/IKI (MACBLUE project), Australian Government DAP/DFAT, USAID (Lukautim Graun Project), various foundations (MacArthur Foundation, Packard Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Disney Conservation Fund, etc.), and conservation funds (Oceans 5, Re:wild, Blue Action Fund, Shark Conservation Fund, etc.). No commercial revenue model.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WCS PNG delivers community-led conservation services across Papua New Guinea, facilitating conservation deeds with indigenous clans, establishing marine protected areas, and supporting sustainable wildlife management and blue carbon ecosystem protection. Its programs span the Bismarck Forest Corridor highland forests and the Bismarck Sea seascapes (Coral Triangle), implemented in partnership with local communities, PNG's Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), and international development agencies. The organization does not sell commercial products; instead, it executes grant-funded conservation programs such as the SoNG Programme, Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, MACBLUE, and Lukautim Graun Project.

Product overview

WCS Papua New Guinea is a conservation organization focused on community-led environmental management and conservation initiatives. Their programs cover wild places (Manus Island, New Ireland, Bismarck Forest Corridor), wildlife protection, ecosystem protection, community engagement, livelihoods, sustainable natural resource management, and climate change initiatives. They do not offer commercial software products or technology services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SoNG (Solwara Na Graun blo Pipol) Programme Comprehensive marine and forest conservation programme funded with €15 million from AFD, jointly implemented by Expertise France and WCS under CEPA guidance. Supports expansion of protected areas, biodiversity governance, traditional knowledge research, and sustainable long-term financing mechanisms in PNG.
• Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme Major international initiative across 17 countries developing innovative solutions for conservation and sustainable use of wildlife. In PNG, SWM is implemented by WCS and supports six Highland communities in preparing and signing conservation deeds, co-funded by FFEM and AFD.
• MACBLUE (Management of Blue Carbon Ecosystems) Project Blue carbon ecosystem management project funded by German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) through IKI, supporting Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. In PNG, MACBLUE supports four coastal communities in New Ireland Province in developing seagrass and mangrove management plans, implemented through SPREP.
• Lukautim Graun Project (LGP) USAID-funded project supporting WCS PNG community conservation activities including community nursery development, conservation area establishment, and conservation-linked micro-enterprise development for women. LGP translates to 'Protect the Environment' in Tok Pisin.
• WISH+ (Watershed Interventions for Systems Health Plus) Project Project funded by the Kiwa Initiative delivering co-benefits for climate resilience, biodiversity, and human health in PNG. Part of the broader Kiwa Initiative spanning 17 Pacific Island countries with €80 million mobilised since 2020 and 127,250+ direct beneficiaries.
• Conservation Deed Facilitation Service Core service facilitating the negotiation, drafting, and signing of conservation deeds between indigenous communities and government authorities. Enables communities to legally protect customary lands and includes Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes, community consensus building, and land-use management planning. Supports PNG's legal framework under Conservation Deeds and the Protected Areas Act.
• Marine Protected Area (MPA) Establishment Service Service facilitating the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in PNG's coastal waters through multi-year community engagement processes. Includes community consultations, marine spatial planning, and government coordination. Facilitated establishment of over 16,000 km² of new MPAs in Lovongai and Murat LLGs, New Ireland Province, more than tripling ocean protections across the country.
• Sustainable Livelihoods Programme Programme supporting sustainable livelihood alternatives for coastal and highland communities through seaweed farming, pelagic fishing training, food security initiatives, and conservation-linked micro-enterprise development (particularly for women).
• Bismarck Forest Corridor Conservation Programme Flagship highland forest conservation programme covering the Bismarck Forest Corridor. Includes six established conservation areas (Mt Goplom Conservation Area, Mt Dorehere, Inaugl Natural Resource Management Area, Mt Wilhelm Biodiversity Nature Conservation Area, Kuglkane Protected Area, Yasina Community Conservation Area) and ongoing monitoring of bilas wildlife species including cassowaries and echidnas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 16,000 km² of new Marine Protected Areas established in New Ireland Province (November 2023)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Expertise FranceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Expertise France jointly implements the SoNG programme with WCS, providing technical coordination to link national public policies with community-level initiatives. With established presence in PNG through the EU-FCCB project, Expertise France ensures long-term viability and coherence of France's support to PNG.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025TNC is a close partner in the SoNG programme, working alongside Expertise France and WCS in the comprehensive marine and forest conservation initiative. TNC brings global conservation expertise to the partnership supporting PNG's 30×30 objective.
• Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPA is PNG's government authority providing guidance for the SoNG programme, ensuring coherence with PNG's national policies on biodiversity and protected areas. WCS PNG programs operate under CEPA guidance and alignment with national conservation policies.
• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPREP implements the Management of Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Pacific Island Countries (MACBLUE) project, funded by German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) through IKI. WCS PNG is facilitated by SPREP to support four coastal communities in New Ireland Province in developing seagrass and mangrove management plans.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO serves as the consortium coordinator for the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme. FAO's Eastern Highlands Office participates in conservation deed signings and urges communities to develop sustainable livelihood projects. FAO coordinates a four-partner consortium: FAO, CIFOR-ICRAF, CIRAD, and WCS.
• Ailan Awareness Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAilan Awareness Inc. is a local NGO based in New Ireland Province that co-implemented the establishment of the Lovongai and Murat Marine Protected Areas with WCS PNG. They established and run Ranguva Solwara Skul ('Sea School') for marine management training and learning exchanges.
• Lolieng Sustainable ProgrammesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit organization co-implementing the establishment of new Marine Protected Areas in Lovongai and Murat LLGs, New Ireland Province, in partnership with WCS PNG and CEPA.
• Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (CELCOR)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCELCOR co-facilitated community legal education (CLE) training with WCS PNG for local law enforcers in Chimbu Province (Gembogl), covering constitutional rights, court processes, land mediation, and conservation laws.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): One of the largest global conservation NGOs with significant PNG and Pacific programs in forests, marine, and species conservation. Competes directly with WCS PNG for bilateral funding, foundation grants, and community-based conservation engagements in the same geographies.
• Conservation International: Large global conservation NGO with extensive Asia-Pacific operations, including biodiversity, marine, and forest conservation programs. Competes with WCS PNG for institutional donor funding and operates similar community-based conservation models across the Coral Triangle.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (Global): The parent organization of WCS PNG, headquartered in the Bronx, NY. Operates global conservation programs in 60+ countries including extensive Asia-Pacific and Coral Triangle presence — providing funding, scientific, and technical support to WCS PNG while being the institutional vehicle for the PNG country program's funding flows.

Direct peers

• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP): Pacific regional intergovernmental organization that funds and implements blue carbon and biodiversity programs in PNG (e.g., MACBLUE) — directly partnering with and overlapping with WCS PNG's programmatic footprint across multiple provinces.
• BirdLife International: Global conservation NGO with active PNG partner organizations (e.g., Birds New Guinea) focused on forest, island, and species conservation. Comparable programmatic model and shares donor funding pools with WCS PNG.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation nonprofit with an active Pacific/PNG presence through SoNG partnership with WCS PNG. Operates similar community-led marine and forest conservation models and competes for the same bilateral and foundation funding pools.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): International conservation NGO with established Asia-Pacific operations focused on threatened species and habitats. Comparable scale and approach to WCS PNG, with overlapping donor base and similar community partnership methodologies.

Emerging players

• Expertise France: French public agency jointly implementing the SoNG programme with WCS PNG — a co-implementer rather than competitor, but a peer in that it now operates directly in community-led conservation delivery in PNG with French-government backing.

Regional players

• Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (CELCOR): PNG-based environmental law NGO that co-facilitates community legal education with WCS PNG in Chimbu Province. Operates in the same geographies and on overlapping conservation deed and community rights themes but focuses on legal advocacy rather than field conservation delivery.
• Ailan Awareness Inc. Local New Ireland Province NGO that co-implemented the Lovongai and Murat Marine Protected Areas with WCS PNG. Runs Ranguva Solwara Skul ('Sea School') and is a direct on-the-ground peer in marine conservation community engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wcspng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wildlife Conservation Society PNG