Rossie Wagi is originally from Simbu Province and was raised in Kiunga, Western Province. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, graduating in 2019. She currently serves as Impact Monitoring and Data Officer (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) at the WWF-Pacific PNG Programme Office, where her work spans biodiversity assessments, community engagement, and monitoring activities across the Pomio, Madang, and Central land and seascapes.

Rossie is pursuing a Master of Science in Research at the University of Papua New Guinea under the EU-FCCB Scholarship Programme. Her research focuses on integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into biodiversity conservation strategies in Pomio District, with the aim of developing conservation approaches that are both culturally grounded and practically sustainable.

Her work is informed by the recognition that communities hold invaluable traditional knowledge—passed down through generations—that has long been used to manage forests and natural resources. By systematically documenting and integrating this knowledge alongside scientific data, Rossie seeks to create conservation frameworks that respect local cultural values, fill data gaps in remote areas, and deliver more effective and enduring conservation outcomes.