The Torricelli Mountain Ranges are the home to a critically endangered species of tree kangaroo the Tenkile (Dendrolagus scottae). This animal is found nowhere else and its population is approximately 200. It is one of the most threatened animals in the world. It is likely that without programs such as this one that the Tenkile could become extinct within the next ten years. The villages that have Tenkile on their land have signed a hunting moratorium, agreeing not to hunt it. This is the first step. The next step is to educate the people about their resources and encourage them to protect their endemic species and unique habitat

The Tenkile Conservation Alliance, together with the landowners, are working towards establishing the Torricelli Mountain Range as a Conservation Area with the landowners. A Conservation Area is legally protected land under the Conservation Act of the Papua New Guinea Government. If successful this Conservation Area will be the first protected area in Sandaun Province.

Two training programs will be conducted to accommodate the local resource owners at the village level and the local teaching communities. Participants will be involved in a training program that offers practical solutions to local conservation issues, a resource manual will be produced and skills transferred via training. This manual aims to provide people with the capacity to manage their resources sustainably.

Currently the local people do not have the capacity to manage their resources and as a result species are becoming locally extinct and endangered. This is due to an increase in human population and over hunting, changing cultures and a reduction of habitat from increased gardening. These issues and more will be addressed in the training programs of this project.