Help us to restore a critical peat-swamp forest ecosystem in Borneo, home to the world's largest protected population of Bornean orangutans. We aim to reforest and re-wet fire-vulnerable burned areas of forest, sequestering carbon to lead the fight against climate change and protecting a vast biodiversity-rich rainforest.

Much of Borneo's peat-swamp forests have been drained and degraded by human activity, which causes the peat to dry out and become highly flammable. In 2015, forest fires erupted near our long-term research camp and burned for weeks on end. Vast areas of forest and their biodiversity were lost, the health impacts for local people were huge, and extensive peat carbon stores were released into the global atmosphere. See the problem first-hand here:

For us, we knew we had to step up and do more to prevent these devastating fires. After extensive research and small-scale reforestation efforts, in 2018, we started our community nursery project. We give young seedlings to community groups to grow on their land, train them to be expert nursery managers, give them resources to manage their seedlings, and then buy them back when they are ready to plant. This way, the community gain additional income and are involved in all stages of the process, motivating them to protect their trees. We also work with local women's groups to make organic polybags which has improved planting success and reduced plastic usage.

Our innovative reforestation project was chosen as one of the winners of the Uplink 1t.org Trillion Trees Challenge at the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Summit, and we were honoured to be voted the winner of the People's Choice Award.

For just £2 we can grow a seedling of a native tree species in one of the community nurseries bordering the Sebangau National Park, then plant, monitor and protect it to make sure it has the best chance of surviving to maturity, eventually re-establishing a flourishing forest. We work tirelessly to protect these planted trees and remaining forest areas by supporting community firefighting teams who tackle raging fires fearlessly, and by building dams to re-wet the peat preventing future fire risk. By working closely with communities, local people can directly contribute to the protection and restoration of their forests whilst learning new skills and gaining an income. Every donation will help us plant more trees to restore vital peatland forests and empower local people, creating a better future for endangered wildlife, indigenous communities and the global climate.

Where your donation goes:

Growing, planting and monitoring trees in our community nurseries and reforestation areas.

Funding community firefighters and the essential equipment they need to tackle peat-forest fires that rage in the dry season.

Building dams to block drainage channels, re-wetting the peat to prevent habitat degradation and reduce fire risk.

Find out more on our website and stay in touch by emailing info@borneonature.org.