ABSTRACT Protecting people and the environment is an essential design and operational criteria for the Kutubu Petroleum Development Project to minimise the physical, social and economic impacts on the local people and their environment in Papua New Guinea. This paper describes how Kutubu was implemented, and how World Wildlife Fund is assisting the neighbouring communities to utilise their natural resources for long term benefit. The objectives and first year expectations of a three year integrated conservation and development project are identified, and the progress is summarised.