Between 31 October to 22 November 2002, The Nature Conservancy's Indonesia Program organized a rapid ecological assessment of the Raja Ampat Islands, with help from some of the world's top scientists (see: team members). These webpages contain information and discoveries from the expedition, and allow you to follow the team as it explores this paradise on earth. Select "logbook" to read the exciting notes from the expedition members.

The Raja Ampat Islands, located west of Papua, Indonesia, are at the center of the world's bull's eye for coral biodiversity, and there are more than 1,100 fish species in the seas around Raja Ampat, many previously unknown. Recently, Dr. Gerald Allen, a renowned expert on coral reef fishes, broke the world record twice for the number of species seen in a one-hour dive - 281 on one dive and 283 on another. He registered 950 species overall during a three-week expedition in March and April 2001. On the land, these islands also contain many endemic plants and animals, most of which still remain to be studied.