Wanang is a small village (population ~200) near the Ramu River in Papua New Guinea, surrounded by vast lowland rainforests. The village life combines traditional practice of shifting agriculture and the use of the rainforest for building materials, medicinal plants and hunting with the elements of modern life, including mobile phones and education in the Wanang Conservation School.

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Almost two decades ago, when the entire area of Lower Ramu was designated as a logging concession, nine village clans formed Wanang Conservation Area and declared their forests off-limits for logging. Wanang Conservation is a 10,000 ha village-based protected area of pristine lowland rainforest with more than 550 species of trees and shrubs, and 143 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and thousands of other plant and animal species.

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Wanang community welcomes all visitors including tourists and researchers. We have facilities for you to stay and trained staff to look after you when you are enjoying village life or your rainforest adventure. 

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Wanang Conservation Area hosts a 50ha ForestGEO Dynamics Plot where over 280,000 trees have been mapped and identified, making it truly an extraordinary research location. The plot is located a short distance from the Swire Research Station, a fully equipped field research station capable of hosting large scientific or conservation expeditions.