Building Partnerships and Biodiversity in the Cook Islands
Associate Professor Troy Gaston and Dr Alex Callen from the School of Environmental and Life Sciences last month travelled to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands as part of the Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas: Catchment Audit Activities project.
The visit formed part of the University’s ongoing collaboration with the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) initiative.
The pair conducted catchment fieldwork with NES staff and met with local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism, Muri Environment Care, and the Korero O Te Orau Environmental Education Centre. As experts in ecology and restoration, they also shared insights on establishing “tiny forests” - compact, high-density native plantings to support biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
The visit reflects the Colleges commitment to impactful international collaboration and the real-world application of environmental science to support communities across the Pacific.
Read more about the project here:
- University of Newcastle returns for third catchment audit visit
- Rarotonga catchment audits to strengthen NES’s data collection
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.