This project supports the recognition and strengthening of customary natural resource management systems in Melanesia, drawing on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous governance as foundations for conservation and climate resilience. Across New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, communities have protected forests and biodiversity for generations through practices such as tabu and tambu areas, yet these systems remain under‑represented in formal conservation frameworks.

The project brings together an Indigenous‑led, multidisciplinary team to document and analyse customary practices using ethical, community‑approved research methods. Standardised but culturally appropriate protocols will be developed and applied through pilot studies across the region, supported by local researchers and community partners.

Findings will be shared through regional workshops and an international symposium linked to ICCB 2025, producing accessible materials, scientific publications, and a roadmap for future collaboration. Supported by the Fonds Pacifique, the project strengthens regional cooperation, builds local research capacity, and elevates biocultural conservation in global biodiversity and climate discussions.