For almost 50 years, Dick Watling has been known for his pioneering work, knowledge, leadership and publications on Pacific Islands wildlife, protected area management, forest and mangrove ecology, invasive species management, environmental education, EIA and environmental governance. During his career, Dick has produced illustrated nature books for kids, guides and scholarly works on Pacific Islands birds, palms and other wildlife.
For more than 40 years, Tusani has contributed to, and played an instrumental role in progressing the environment and conservation agenda in the Pacific. He has worked in the environment and resource management fields in Samoa and the Pacific. Through his dedication and commitment, he had successfully accomplished key notable achievements such as the establishment of the Environment and Conservation Agency of the Government of Samoa and was appointed as the first Head of the Environment Agency in 1989.
Fasan Chong aka Jean Kape is an emblematic figure in the culture and conservation of biodiversity in French Polynesia.
Sue Taei is of New Zealand and Samoan heritage and has worked to advance Pacific conservation throughout the region for over 30 years. With degrees from the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato, she has supported, designed and championed many conservation initiatives including the protection of marine mammals, turtles, birds, management of invasive species, the creation and implementation of large and small scale protected areas, and development of the Framework for the Pacific Oceanscape.
The Erakor Bridge Community is located in a peri urban area of Port Vila. Few families are landowners, the majority are original from all islands of Vanuatu. With the social diversity, and increase of population, there has been social conflicts, waste issues and the degradation of environment. Due high to unemployment, there was overfishing, pollution in the lagoon and hygiene, sanitation and health issues.
Solomon Yeo is a climate campaigner from the Solomon Islands. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics in 2019 from the University of the South Pacific. In the same year, together with his classmates, they launched a campaign to persuade Pacific leaders to advance a UN general assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion on climate change and human rights from the International Court of Justice.
The Matautu Youth Group at Lefaga, Samoa is the only community organisation around Upolu island, leading the youth with trainings/projects that promotes the healthy environment and conservation programs for sustainability, to reduce impacts of climate change. They work closely with many government ministries and partners such as the United Nations organizations in Samoa to support their initiatives and projects.
Caledoclean is an association of young Caledonians who work for the promotion of eco-citizenship through participatory ecological projects and actions. In seven years, Caledoclean has organized more than 300 cleaning operations throughout New Caledonia and collected more than 450 Tons of waste in the Caledonian environment, at least 350 Tons of which have been sorted and sent for recycling.
Timmy Sowang is from Gomdan, a small village at the heart of the tropical forest which can only be reached on foot or in a small plane in Papua New Guinea.
Henry Kaniki has been working with communities in conservation for the past ten years. He is currently studying at James Cook University for a Master of Science in Fisheries Science and Management. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Change, BSc in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific and professional leadership certificates from EAST west Center, Hawaii under the Pacific Islands Leadership program and Pacific Fisheries Leadership program under from University of Queensland.
