Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF)

Orangutan Outreach is proud to support the Borneo Nature Foundation. BNF works to protect some of the most important areas of tropical rainforest in the world, and to safeguard the wildlife, environment and indigenous culture on Borneo. BNF works in Barito Ulu, the Rungan Landscape, and the Sebangau Landscape. The peat swamps of Sebangau National Park are home to the world's largest protected orangutan population. Orangutan Outreach focuses our support of BNF in this important area.

Reforestation Program

Reforesting burnt and logged areas of the Sebangau National Park is an essential to protecting the home of the Bornean orangutan. Planting trees expands orangutan habitat, prevents soil erosion and reduces the risk of fire. It also engages local communities in conservation and contributes to the global fight to stop climate change.

BNF’s Community Nurseries focus on empowering local people to restore their forests while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and improving economic prospects. BNF provides training, resources, and ongoing support to communities who build and manage the nurseries on their own land. BNF then buys back the seedlings when they are ready to plant, providing additional income for families. Community nursery members are involved in all stages of the process, from growing to replanting. This initiative has served to engage local communities in rainforest conservation, increase awareness and encourage individual responsibility for reforestation of local habitats and preservation of natural heritage.

Learn about BNF’s reforestation efforts supported by Orangutan Outreach here.

Research

Since 1999, OuTrop (Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project), BNF's flagship program, has been working in Sebangau National Park to monitor the behavioral ecology of the forest's flagship species, carry out biodiversity and forestry research, and work to develop conservation solutions. The base for this work is the Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest (LAHG), a special zone within Sebangau National Park. The former logging camp has been converted into a permanent research station, and has become a Centre of Excellence for Research, Conservation and Education. Research activities in the LAHG include: in-depth studies of Sebangau’s primates, understanding Borneo’s elusive wild cats; biodiversity and ecological monitoring; and studies of the impacts and effectiveness of habitat restoration activities.

BNF’s long-term ecological monitoring helps us understand what wildlife needs to thrive in their habitat. The research team is able to identify the threats to forest ecosystems, assess the effects of disturbance on both wildlife and habitat, and continuously evaluate the impacts of conservation initiatives. BNF works with a wide range of local partners. Together, these organizations survey biodiversity, make recommendations on forest management, support conservation efforts and advise on national and international strategies to protect the natural habitats and wildlife of the island of Borneo.

Learn how Orangutan Outreach is helping to keep the Sebangau research station up and running here. (link coming soon!)

Gracia and the Kids

Gracia, pictured at right, is an adult female orangutan living in Sebangau National Park and BNF has been monitoring her for many years. Gracia is the matriarch of a special family which includes her daughters Georgia and Gretel, her son Gara, and her grandson Gus. Gracia’s home range is next to the river and was partly burnt in the forest fires of 2015. It will now be difficult for her younger offspring to set up their own home ranges as the habitat is shrinking. The G Family, as they are lovingly called, faces many challenges in the wild. The good news is BNF’s long-term research has shown that the orangutan population can stabilize and recover with the implementation of habitat protection, anti-logging and hunting patrols, and restoration projects.

BNF’s long-term research into the behavioral ecology of orangutans allows the team to identify changes in behavior in response to threats such as logging and fire. Gracia and her family have provided invaluable information through the years. Orangutan surveys have established the presence of globally important populations and defined priority habitat for protection. Would you like to follow the adventures of the G Family while also helping BNF? You can support the vital work of Borneo Nature Foundation by symbolically adopting Gracia and the kids here.

Orangutans in Borneo Need Your Help!

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How will your contribution help the BNF team?

$10 is a daily wage for a volunteer fire-fighter to tackle dry-season peat fires

$25 will fund a team of two community patrol team members to patrol the Sebangau river and forest for a day in order to prevent illegal logging

$50 pays for the seed collection, germination, growth and re-planting of 10 tropical hardwood saplings into our reforestation area.

$100 will build a dam to block the ex-logging canals in the Sebangau National Park, needed to keep the peat wet and thus prevent possible fire and forest collapse.

$150 will fund BNF's monthly monitoring surveys of the orangutan population.

$500 will equip one fire-fighting team with hoses, nozzles and safety equipment.

$1000 will buy a new boat for the patrol team (or buy a computer and furniture for the patrol team headquarters).

$2500 will fund the full seven-member community patrol team for one month, including supplies and fuel.

Borneo Nature Foundation is registered as a charity in the UK (charity no 1194359). Orangutan Outreach accepts tax-deductible donations for BNF in the US. Please contact us to make a donation or learn more.