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Mahonia Na Dari - Guardian of the Sea Understanding and conserving the Natural Environment of Kimbe Bay and Papua New Guinea for the benefit of present and future generations
Who We AreMahonia Na Dari operates from the Walindi Nature Centre. Mahonia Na Dari is governed by a board of Directors which meets formally twice a year. Mahonia Na Dari works collaboratively with a range of partners within Papua New Guinea.
The Walindi Nature Centre was officially opened in 1996, and now plays host to three local Non Government Organizations, Mahonia Na Dari, The Nature Conservancy, and FORCERT (Forest Management and Product Certification Service), all contributing to the conservation of natural resources in the Kimbe Bay area. The Walindi Nature Centre has five offices, a library, conference room, laboratory, covered outside meeting area and a variety of sleeping/residential accommodation all set amongst colourful park-like gardens with plenty of birdlife and direct access to the marine environment. The Centre is managed by Mahonia Na Dari as a commercial enterprise to generate income to support some of the ongoing costs of community conservation work. All of the buildings are constructed in a traditional style, with walls made of woven screens and with sago palm leaf roofing (morota). Locally sourced Malas timber is used throughout, with beautiful black bean flooring.
Accommodation Self-contained bungalows and rooms are available for staff working at the centre. Any surplus to requirements are rented out to other businesses operating in the area. Additional shared or single room accommodation is available for visitors, tourists, researchers and students. There are six, three bed units with communal kitchens, bathrooms and laundry facilities. Larger groups and up to 24 schoolchildren can be accommodated in the Bikhaus (Big house) which has six rooms with four beds in each. It has shared bathrooms and a communal kitchen and laundry. All rooms are insect screened, showers have both hot and cold water and the flush toilets are connected to a septic system. Bed linen and cooking and eating utensils are provided. Food is available from a variety of markets in and around Kimbe, some 20km away for those wishing to self cater. Onsite meals can be provided by Mahonia Na Dari wih prior arrangement, or booked at the nearby Walindi Plantation Resort. Electric power at the centre is 240V, 50 Hz, provided by diesel generators between the hours of 6.00am and 11pm. No 110V outlets exist within the facility, and where necessary visitors should bring voltage transformers. Plug adaptors may be necessary as electrical plugs in Papua New Guinea conform with those in Australia and New Zealand with three prongs. A quality surge suppressor should be brought for laptop computers or other electronic devices. Access to telephone, FAX, and dial up internet is provided on a user-pays basis. Approximate costs for accommodation, catering and equipment hire are shown under Research, but this will vary depending on length of stay, agreed concessions and rates of exchange. Contact Mahonia Na Daris Administration on mnd_operation@global.net.pg for more details.
Transport in the Kimbe Bay area A tar seal road links the Walindi Nature Centre to the nearest town of Kimbe, an approximately 20 minute drive through oil palm plantation and local villages. Travel to terrestrial sites further afield or inland normally requires a 4WD. Mahonia Na Dari can provide a limited transport service into town and back and also airport drop offs and pickups. All other travel arrangements should be made independently through one of the local car hire companies. Boat access to the marine environment of Kimbe Bay can be arranged through Mahonia Na Dari, whose knowledgeable, local boatmen operate a number of small open and semi covered vessels, offering quick access to inshore and more distant sites. Fuel costs will need to be negotiated once on site, as these vary significantly from month to month.
Members of the Board of Directors of Mahonia Na Dari are: Mrs. Cecilie Benjamin, (CHAIR) (B Sc Agric) currently the Chair of the MND Board of Directors. She has worked with the Department of Agriculture in PNG for 11 years and been a consultant to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australian Aid (AusAid) and local agricultural projects in rural communities throughout PNG. Since 1983 she and her husband Max, have developed Walindi Plantation Resort into a world class scuba diving destination with emphasis on environmental preservation. She has resided in West New Britain Province since 1972. Mr. Gerard Linge holds a Masters of Law. He has served as a commercial and corporate legal officer in both the government and the private sector in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. He is currently operating a private law firm in Kimbe. Gerard is from the Talasea area nearby where Mahonia is situated and the Bakovi language is spoken. Dr. Augustine Mungkaje holds a Ph.D. (Zoology), M.Sc (Marine Biology), B.Sc (Hons) and B.Sc. He has extensive research experience and has worked for more than 23 years as a marine ecologist for both private and public institutions. Currently, Dr. Mungkaje holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Marine and Fisheries Ecology at the University of Papua New Guinea. Dr. Geoffrey Jones is a Professor in Marine Biology at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville, Australia. Geoff has conducted extensive marine research in tropical and temperate reefs in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (Kimbe Bay), looking at behaviour and life histories of reef fish and their interactions with reef communities. His recent work has focused on understanding the degree of connectivity between fish populations on reefs across Kimbe Bay, an issue that has important implications for the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas. Mr. Mike Hoare is the General Manager of New Britain Palm Oil Development. NBPOL is currently the biggest private employer in PNG. It is the oldest and most successfully operated oil palm company within PNG. NBPOL owns and operates Dami Oil Palm Research Station which is internationally recognized by scientists as one of the top oil palm research stations worldwide. Mr Hoare has resided in the WNB Province for over 20 years. Mr. Williamson Hosea is the Deputy Administrator in Policy and Research for the West New Britain Provincial Government. Born in West New Britain Province, he previously worked for the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (PNG) as an agricultural extension officer with smallholder oil palm growers. Mrs Elyne Jonda holds a diploma in secondary teaching and has 25 years of teaching experience in government schools and NGO environmental education. She has held senior positions in various institutions in Papua New Guinea and was the Country Manager of Live and Learn Environment Education focusing on environmental conservation and river and water care.
Mahonia Na Dari works collaboratively with a range of partners within Papua New Guinea. It is this sharing of skills, knowledge and interests that strengthens Mahonia Na Daris commitment to fulfil its mission statement. Mahonia would like to thank all the people and organisations who contribute to our work. If you are interested in making a donation or contribution to Mahonia's work, please contact Mahonia Na Dari. Please send email (mnd_operation@global.net.pg) to the attention of the Finance and Administration Officer, (Mr Nathan Wakou) MND for details.
Current partners includes, Walindi Plantation Resort James Cook University New Britain Palm Oil Ltd Local NGOs within the country The Nature Conservancy FORCERT Live & Learn Provincial Administrations Office of the Governor Officer of the Provincial Administrator Education Department Community Development Schools within the province Talasea LLG (Local Level Goverment) Hoskins LLG Bialla LLG Council Ward areas Talasea & Hoskins Communities in Talasea Communities in Hoskins Womens groups in the communities
Past donors ( 2008) include, Packard Foundation Canada Fund New England BioLab Foundation (NEBF) Australia Volunteer International (AVI)/ Lonely Planet (LP)
Current Donors (-2009) include, Democratic Governance Transition Phase (DGTP) New England Aquariums -Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF) Roger Roth Under Water Image (USA) New Zealand High Commission -Head of Mission Fund (HOMF) The David and Lucile Packard Foundation The Nature Conservancy Canada Fund Walindi Nature Centre
Mahonia Na Dari Inc is a PNG incorporated NGO with a Certificate of Incorporation of an Association since November 1998. The finances of MND are externally audited each year. If you are interested in making a donation or contribution to Mahonia's work, please contact Mahonia Na Dari. Please send email (mnd_operation@global.net.pg) to the attention of the Finance and Administration Officer, (Mr Nathan Wakou) MND for details.
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Last modified: 07/11/09 |
