CONTACT US

 

We always enjoy hearing from people who share our interest in tree kangaroos and wildlife conservation. If you have a question, comment, or concern, please contact us.



U.S. Office

Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98103
USA
T: +1 (206) 548-2623
F: +1 (206) 547-6962
E: Lisa Dabek, Program Director
Trevor Holbrook, Program Manager



Papua New Guinea Office

5th Street Professionals Building
P.O. Box 360, Lae
Morobe Province, 411
Papua New Guinea
T: +675-472-7226
E: Modi Pontio, Associate Director

STAFF

 

Lisa Dabek, Ph.D.

Program Director and Senior Conservation Scientist, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Originally from New York City, Lisa started studying Matschie’s tree kangaroos in 1987 as part of her graduate studies at the University of Washington. She originally studied the behavioral development, mother-young interactions, and then reproductive biology and behavior of female captive tree kangaroos at Woodland Park Zoo and the Smithsonian Institution National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center. Two key people at these institutions that introduced her to the world of tree kangaroos were Judie Steenberg and Larry Collins.

Lisa brought the zoo-based knowledge of Matschie’s tree kangaroos to Papua New Guinea where no previous work had been done on this endangered species. She started the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in 1996 in collaboration with the people of YUS and is considered a leading expert on tree kangaroos.

Trevor Holbrook

Program Manager, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Trevor joined the TKCP team in 2014. Trevor holds a BA in Business Administration from Western Washington University and an MA in International Relations from Webster University in Bangkok, Thailand, and spent several years managing long-term community development programs throughout Southeast Asia. Trevor brings his knowledge of strategic planning, organizational development, and program management to support the continued success of TKCP.

Modi Pontio

Associate Director, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Dono Ogate

Conservation Officer, Uruwa Zone, Yus LLG, Papua New Guinea
A YUS landowner from Towet and long-time believer in conservation, Dono joined TKCP in 2010. Dono has been a driver of YUS Conservation Coffee, promoting quality control measures and coordinating farm-level activities to ensure the coffee successfully reaches shelves in the US.

Namo Yaoro

Conservation Officer, Yopno Zone, Yus LLG, Papua New Guinea
Namo has been a founding supporter of TKCP since its inception. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Namo has provided insight into community perspectives and culturally appropriate conservation measures. He also serves as a key link to partnerships with the Yus Local Level Government, serving as an elected Ward Councillor for Keweng Parish.

Steven Fononge

Conservation Officer, Som Zone, Yus LLG, Papua New Guinea
Steven provides conservation awareness, community coordination, and support for monitoring activities across the Som Zone. Steven is a YUS landowner from Mumanrang.

Matthew Tombe

Conservation Officer, Yopno Zone, YUS LLG, Papua New Guinea
A YUS landowner from Isan village, Matthew has worked as a mapping officer with TKCP since 2009. Matthew completed his high school education and has amassed years of technical experience in GPS technology, mapping, and conservation. Matthew works with landowners to identify and map YUS Conservation Area boundaries in both the Yopno and Som Zones.

Nadine Paira

Administrative Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Nadine joined the TKCP team as the Administrative Coordinator in 2017. Originally from Madang, she brings experience in research, human resources, and administration. Nadine brings valuable experience in supporting the well-being of staff and international volunteers. She has experience supporting major grant-funded programs including several AUSAID projects and a UNICEF-funded research project on Early Childhood Education.

Esther Nokolu

Community Development & Resilience Manager, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Ebo Thomas

Protected Area Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Danny Nane

Community Conservation Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Dillian Nason

Research & Monitoring Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Sharon Erick

Community Livelihoods Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Monica Muye

Education & Leadership Coordinator, Lae, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

James Jio

Conservation Officer, Uruwa Zone, YUS LLG, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Sanangke Yape

Mapping Officer, YUS LLG, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!

Stanley Gesang

Mapping Officer, YUS LLG, Papua New Guinea
Profile information coming soon!