Protecting orangutans doesn’t start in the forest alone. It starts with the people who live alongside it.
At the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), conservation has always gone hand in hand with community. Across Central and East Kalimantan, our work extends beyond rescue and rehabilitation to support the long-term health of both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
Today, BOSF helps protect more than 1.1 million acres of rainforest, including the Mawas Conservation Area, home to over 2,500 wild orangutans. But safeguarding these landscapes requires more than patrols and protection. It requires partnership.
BOSF works closely with local and Indigenous communities to build sustainable livelihoods that reduce reliance on logging and forest clearing. This includes training in agroforestry, supporting small-scale enterprises, and creating opportunities through conservation work itself, from tree planting and nursery management to fire monitoring and forest protection.
In the Mawas region, our partnership is restoring large areas of degraded rainforest while creating stable employment and long-term skills within local communities. Together, we’ve restored hundreds of hectares of habitat, with seedlings grown and maintained in community-run nurseries. This work not only rebuilds critical ecosystems but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in protecting them.
Education is another essential part of this approach. Through programmes like Orangutan Goes to School, BOSF works with young people to build an understanding of conservation and inspire the next generation to protect their natural environment. We also run training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns to ensure communities have the knowledge and resources to manage their land sustainably.
This work is especially important in remote areas, where access to education and services can be limited. Without reliable infrastructure, delivering consistent environmental education, particularly to younger generations, remains a challenge.
But when communities are informed, connected, and supported, conservation becomes stronger and more sustainable. Forests are better protected. Wildlife is safer. And future generations are better equipped to continue this work.
What Comes Next
For Earth Day 2026, we have launched a new MATCHED DONATIONS campaign focused on one simple but powerful goal: improving access to information.
The campaign supports efforts to bring internet access to remote communities and schools near Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park. By connecting students and families to educational resources, we can help build awareness around conservation, strengthen community resilience, and support the protection of orangutans and their forest home.
It’s a practical step with long-term impact; one that directly connects people, knowledge, and conservation.
Text by: BOS-UK/USA
Will you help us rescue, rehabilitate, and release orangutans back to freedom? Thank you!
