PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
Amphibian Ark
Asian Species Action Partnership
Asian Species Action Partnership
The Amphibian Ark (AArk) was started in
2006 in an effort to unite and support ex-situ amphibian conservation projects that align with the goals of the IUCN Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. The AArk is comprised of three main partners: the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Gr
The Amphibian Ark (AArk) was started in
2006 in an effort to unite and support ex-situ amphibian conservation projects that align with the goals of the IUCN Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. The AArk is comprised of three main partners: the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist
Group (ASG).
Project Palaka has been awarded a Seed Grant by the AArk, and the organization continues to be supportive as we navigate these uncertain times. Project Palaka would not be where it is today without the support of Amphibian Ark, and we are extremely appreciative. The AArk has also been crucial in helping Project Palaka find the resources and expertise we need to reach our conservation goals.
Find out more at: www.amphibianark.org
Asian Species Action Partnership
Asian Species Action Partnership
Asian Species Action Partnership
The Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) focuses on conservation efforts for freshwater and land vertebrate species throughout Southeast Asia. This area of the world has one of the highest rates of land vertebrate extinction, and ASAP works with conservation partners throughout the
region to implement effective, science-based conservat
The Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) focuses on conservation efforts for freshwater and land vertebrate species throughout Southeast Asia. This area of the world has one of the highest rates of land vertebrate extinction, and ASAP works with conservation partners throughout the
region to implement effective, science-based conservation activities for Southeast Asian
species that have been designated as Critically-Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
In June of 2020, Project Palaka was made an ASAP partner and awarded a Rapid Action Fund grant. In addition to funding, ASAP has been instrumental in providing Project Palaka with information and guidance as we seek to develop a long-term plan for our project. We appreciate their continued interest in ensuring that Project Palaka is a success!
Find out more at: www.speciesonthebrink.org
Mandai Nature
Asian Species Action Partnership
Synchronicity Earth
Mandai Nature manages four Singaporean zoological institutions- Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo. These parks and reserves receive over 4.6 million visitors annually. However, Mandai Nature is also active in conservation efforts throughout Southeast Asia. Currently, Mandai Nature is supporting 54 projects in
Mandai Nature manages four Singaporean zoological institutions- Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo. These parks and reserves receive over 4.6 million visitors annually. However, Mandai Nature is also active in conservation efforts throughout Southeast Asia. Currently, Mandai Nature is supporting 54 projects in the region.
In September of 2020, Project Palaka was awarded support from Mandai Nature. Additionally, Mandai Nature staff have made their experience and expertise available to Project Palaka, offering us advice, guidance, and capacity-building opportunities whenever needed. We are grateful for Mandai Nature's continued support of Project Palaka!
Find our more at: https://www.wrs.com.sg/en.html
Synchronicity Earth
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
Synchronicity Earth
Based in the UK, Synchronicity Earth (SE) has a mission to “address overlooked and underfunded conservation challenges for globally threatened species and ecosystems.” Synchronicity Earth supports projects around the world, including Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe. Refreshingly, one of SE’s stated values
on their webs
Based in the UK, Synchronicity Earth (SE) has a mission to “address overlooked and underfunded conservation challenges for globally threatened species and ecosystems.” Synchronicity Earth supports projects around the world, including Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe. Refreshingly, one of SE’s stated values
on their website is “optimism”- conservation challenges are daunting, and often depressing.
But SE believes it is possible to acknowledge the seriousness of environmental challenges while still maintaining the mindset that conservation efforts can be (and indeed, have been) successful.
As with our other partners, Synchronicity Earth seeks to support conservation actions that are based on science and rigorous research. Synchronicity Earth has also awarded a grant to Project Palaka, and is also providing Project Palaka with advice and insight as we develop our
long-term plan.
Find out more at: www.synchronicityearth.org
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland is the alma mater of PI Norman Greenhawk, who is also currently a research scholar at the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College (CES). The CES provides students with a myriad of opportunities, including the “Chesapeake Semester”, habitat restoration projects, a geospatial lab,
Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland is the alma mater of PI Norman Greenhawk, who is also currently a research scholar at the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College (CES). The CES provides students with a myriad of opportunities, including the “Chesapeake Semester”, habitat restoration projects, a geospatial lab, and a bird observatory. In October of 2019, the CES opened the Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall. The building has achieved the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification, a step above LEED certification.
One requirement for the LBC certification is that a building produce at least 105% of its own energy requirements- energy neutral isn’t enough, it must be a net producer.
The CES has been supportive of Project Palaka from the start, providing advice, exposure, use of facilities, and the expertise of the Center's experts. We are thankful for CES’s continued interest in seeing Project Palaka succeed.
Learn more at: https://www.washcoll.edu/learn-by-doing/ces/index.php
Stiftung Artenschutz
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
The Center for Environment and Society at Washington College
Stiftung Artenschutz is a collaborative initiative comprised of members from various German, Austrian, and Swiss zoos and nature conservation organizations. The organization, “stands for an integrative approach to nature conservation that focuses on involving the local population in the decision-making processes, planning and protected a
Stiftung Artenschutz is a collaborative initiative comprised of members from various German, Austrian, and Swiss zoos and nature conservation organizations. The organization, “stands for an integrative approach to nature conservation that focuses on involving the local population in the decision-making processes, planning and protected area management.” They are working with closely with the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ) in Berlin to enact the “’One Plan Approach to Conservation’, that aims to unite ex situ and in situ conservation efforts”, something that is especially needed in amphibian ex situ conservation efforts, and which Project Palaka also seeks to address.
As Stiftung Artenschutz brings together the talents of various zoological organizations, we are excited to partner with them and look forward to a collaboration that results in Project Palaka implementing the highest ex situ standards for the amphibians in our care.
Lear more about Stiftung Artenschutz here: https://www.stiftung-artenschutz.de/en_US/foundation/who-are-we/mething exciting your business offers? Say it here.
Who We Are - Project Palaka
Norman Greenhawk
President & Director, Project Palaka
Norman has 20 years of experience in environmental science, herpetology, tropical forest ecology, and conservation. He earned his undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Chesapeake Bay Regional Studies from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and his master’s degree in environmental science from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
In 2013, he was awarded the Earthwatch Neville Shulman Award for Emerging Environmental Leaders. This award made it possible for him to work in Panama, Belize, Honduras, and Bolivia to obtain experience training in both in-situ and ex-situ conservation techniques for many groups of reptiles and amphibians- Anura, Chelonia, Serpentes, Lacertilia, and Crocodilia. He also traveled on his own accord to the Smithsonian Institute’s Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project (PARC) to obtain training in the ex-situ care of amphibians.
In 2015, Norman was awarded a Fulbright Student Award, which took him to the Philippines for the first time. He enacted Project Palaka, the only first (and only) ex-situ conservation project for Philippine amphibians. Norman designed every aspect of the ex-situ setup, and the success of this early project led to Project Palaka working with Platymantis insulatus, the only species of amphibian in the Philippines that has been designated as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN. Norman has also been designated as a Fulbright Specialist until 2024, a Research Scholar at Washington College, and a 2021 National Geographic Explorer.
Abdullaziz Sam Arcillo
Assistant Director & Vice-President of Research, Project Palaka
Sam has been with Project Palaka since October 2021, starting as a student research assistant, then becoming an in-country partner, before finally being invited to sit on the Board of Directors. Sam will take over as Director after Norman’s departure from the Philippines in March 2024.
Sam is a brilliant young scientist; by June 2024, he aims to complete his dual master’s degree in Wildlife Studies and Genetics. He is developing a process to identify genetic markers in Platymantis insulatus to allow us to identify potentially genetically distinct sub-populations. He has previous management/directorship experience through his positions as a Pollen Technologist and Scientific Research Analyst. In both of those roles, he was responsible for designing research experiments and training/managing other staff members.
As a Research Assistant at Project Palaka, Sam was a “self-starter”, and within months of joining the project, his talents for management were on full display. Most recently, during Project Palaka’s relocation from Los Banos to the Ocean Adventure facility in Subic Bay, Sam has stepped forward and voluntarily taken on more responsibility, meeting with OA staff members to formulate weekly work schedules, address concerns, and coordinate with WIN/OA staff.
Jazz Torres Ong
Vice-President of Education and Community Outreach, Project Palaka
Jazz is the founder and CEO of Wildlife Matters, a Philippine nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of endemic Philippine fauna and the education of the public about wildlife issues. Jazz currently works at the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. She is a natural “show woman”, and was the perfect choice to head up efforts to reinvigorate our lagging educational outreach goals. Jazz is experienced with all types of herpetofauna, and is not only skilled in safely handling large and venomous snakes, but runs a certification program through Wildlife Matters to train others in snake handling. Jazz is currently enrolled in a Master's program in Wildlife Studies.
John David Pilapil
Chairman of the Board, Project Palaka
David is in the process of obtaining his PhD from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. One of his research interests is disease processes, and he recently published a paper on the continued circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. David is new to the world of nonprofits, has proven to be an attentive and dedicated Chairman of the Board. He and Sam are in regular communication to develop future research plans for Project Palaka. David hopes to develop research projects focuses on amphibian diseases, and the threat they pose to conservation efforts.