North Sumatra – Indonesia
Leuser Ecosystem
The Leuser Ecosystem rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot and a major carbon sink threatened by deforestation.
This program follows a community-led conservation approach to restore and protect degraded land in the Buffer Zone of the Gunung Leuser National Park.
Leuser Ecosystem
The Leuser Ecosystem rainforest is the last place on Earth where critically endangered rhinos, tigers, elephants and orangutans still co-exist in the wild. This ecosystem plays a crucial role in the regulation of the global climate and the regional water cycle. The livelihoods, food and water supply of approximately five million people rely on the Leuser Ecosystem.
The expansion of oil palm monocultures, infrastructure developments, logging and poaching are severely threatening this unique and fundamental ecosystem. Deforestation contributes to climate change, degrades the soil, and stresses fresh water sources.
The forest becomes more vulnerable to floods, fires and extreme heat, affecting all biodiversity and millions of people. The discontinuities created by deforestation disrupt wildlife’s habitats and behaviours, affecting biodiversity. As habitats deteriorate, human-wildlife conflict increases.
The colonial legacy has separated the local communities from their ancestral lands, excluded them from protecting their home ecosystems, and contributed to cultural and ancestral knowledge loss.
Community-led Conservation
This program is in partnership with the women-led local conservation NGO, Nuraga Bhumi. Following a community-led approach, we are supporting our local partner’s conservation strategies and long-term view.
The program is centred around the reforestation of degraded land in the Buffer Zone of the Gunung Leuser National Park. It entails buying land back, which ensures the land will be restored and will never be commercially exploited.
Reforestation is done with native species, following agroforestry principles, including edible trees. This creates safe corridors for wildlife to roam and find food, avoiding human-wildlife conflict, which often happens in the Buffer Zone. In addition, the women patrol the land, protecting it from poaching and illegal logging.
The program encompasses supporting the conservation school for children run by our local partner. This promotes the education and leadership of younger generations.
Women Leadership & Gender Justice
Conservation in Sumatra is a male dominated sector. Our local partner offers a safe space for women, gender-diverse and children to exert their birth right to care for their home forest. Their approach is inclusive. They collaborate with neighbour farmers, local men-led conservation groups, and the local community at large. This contributes to harmony and respect.
The women are at the frontline, leading and participating at every step, earning a salary, and strengthening their support network.
This program mitigates climate change and protects biodiversity, while contributing to gender justice, children’s education and the land back movement.
Leuser Ecosystem Sumatra women-led conservation community-led conservation reforestation. Leuser Ecosystem Sumatra women-led conservation community-led conservation.