SPREP Kikori Fishmaw Bycatch Workshop - Papua New Guinea

I had the privilege of facilitating a multi-stakeholder workshop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, bringing together representatives from the National Fisheries Authority, the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, the Gulf Provincial Government, the Kikori District Government, and Kikori communities.
Hosted by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the workshop provided a space for honest dialogue about the future of the fish maw fishery and its impact on threatened species such as dolphins, sharks, and rays.
The workshop, for the first time, provided representatives of the Kikori communities with an opportunity to engage with all levels of government in a multi-stakeholder setting and voice their concerns.
It was encouraging to see everyone working side by side to shape a shared vision for sustainable fisheries management—grounded in science and local knowledge, brought together by the Conservation Standards. Conceptual Models and Theories of Change helped to identify key work priorities and their underlying assumptions.

You can read SPREP’s full media release HERE

Keeping a plan alive - Mid-term Reviews

I’ve just returned from a workshop in the Top End to support the mid-term review of a Healthy Country Plan. These moments are always a great reminder of how important it is to pause, reflect, and assess progress together with the Indigenous Ranger Groups who care most about Country.

Mid-term reviews are not just a box-ticking exercise—they are a chance to look honestly at what’s working well, what challenges have emerged, and where we need to adjust course. They keep the plan alive and relevant, ensuring it continues to reflect community priorities and ecological realities.

In this process, we draw on the power of the Conservation Standards (CS), which provide a clear framework not only for planning, but also for adaptation and learning. Using the CS helps measure progress against agreed-upon outcomes, strengthens accountability, and informs decisions based on both evidence and cultural knowledge.

ALCA Conference 2025 - Gimuy / Cairns - Conservation Standards Workshop

🌿 I’m excited to be part of this year’s Australian Land Conservation Alliance Conference 2025 in tropical Gimuy (Cairns).

Together with Clair Dougherty (Bush Heritage Australia), I’ll be facilitating a 1-day workshop exploring how the Conservation Standards Theories of Change can help projects move from vision to real impact.

If you’re attending ALCA 2025, let’s connect — I’d love to catch up in person, network and share ideas.

Read about our training in this Bush Heritage Post HERE.

Boost Conservation Impact with Community Engagement

A lack of community ownership can be a major barrier to the success of conservation projects. That's where participatory planning approaches like Healthy Country Planning come in.

By engaging local communities from the start, Healthy Country Planning — adapted from the Conservation Standards — offers a powerful framework to link non-Indigenous conservation programs with community priorities. This collaborative approach expands a project’s impact and fosters long-lasting success.

Curious about how this could work for your conservation projects? Learn more HERE

Conservation Planning in the Dawna Tanintharyi region of Myanmar

Back from a very exciting Healthy Country Planning project in the Dawna Tanintharyi landscape of Myanmar to facilitate the development of the Kawthoolei Forest Department Strategic Conservation Management Plan

The strategic conservation plan will support the Kawthoolei Forestry Department, the Karen Wildlife Conservation Initiative and Karen communities to manage a culturally and bio diverse rich landscape strategically.