Together, we create and deliver projects that empower local people to take an active, positive and impactful role in the conservation of their own natural resources. Through our holistic approach of protection and restoration, we are building a brighter future for Sumatra’s forests, its wildlife and its people.
In 2001, SOS co-founded the OIC, a grassroots organisation staffed by passionate and dedicated Indonesian conservationists. At the heart of OIC’s approach are the communities who live adjacent to the last standing orangutan habitat in Sumatra. Their work is driven by local needs, and our shared vision is to empower the people of Sumatra to become guardians of their forests. OIC manages a range of community-led sustainable livelihoods programmes, successful forest restoration sites (with over 1.5 million trees planted to date), orangutan rescue and forest patrols. The Founder of OIC, Panut Hadisiswoyo, has received a number of awards for his work, including the Whitley Award in 2015, and a National Geographic award in 2016.
HAkA is working in Sumatra’s Aceh province, tackling the threats to the Leuser Ecosystem from the policy level all the way to the frontline. HAkA’s legal advocacy and campaign work is contributing to public awareness and policy change, including the cancellation of 26 oil palm concessions and historic legal action against forest destruction for oil palm. They have saved critical expanses of peat swamps, begun restoration of critical watersheds and created a strong momentum for the revision of provincial spatial plans to incorporate the long-term protection of Leuser. HAkA Chairperson, Farwiza, won a 2016 Whitley Award for her service to conservation in Indonesia.
FKL conducts law enforcement operations, human-wildlife conflict mitigation and is currently operating 15 anti-poaching teams across the Leuser Ecosystem. FKL’s Field Operations Manager, Rudi Putra, won a 2014 Goldman Environmental Prize.
Together, HAkA and FKL are undertaking the restoration of forest cleared illegally for oil palm plantations in the Leuser Ecosystem, and establishing two mega-fauna sanctuaries to safeguard vital habitat for Sumatra’s iconic wildlife.
SOS is a member of GRASP, a United Nations initiative committed to ensuring the long-term survival of Great Apes and their habitats in Africa and Asia.
Nature for Change works to provide environmental and conservation education to communities living in the buffer zone around the Leuser Ecosystem, with the aim of empowering people to engage in conservation and contribute to a sustainable economy.
With activities including polyculture and green corridor programmes, conservation camps for children and training on non-timber forest products, Nature for Change is building a strong foundation for communities to protect and benefit from natural resources in North Sumatra.
Zac Mills
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