Seacology supporters raise thousands to protect Borneo river
With the support of our dedicated community of donors, we’ve reached our fundraising goal for our new project on Tayan Island in Indonesian Borneo! Thanks in large part to the donations from several members of our board, plus a generous contribution from the Nu Skin Force For Good Foundation, in the past month we’ve reached our $25,000 crowdfunding goal.
Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, home to huge numbers of unique plant and animal species in its old-growth rainforests, remote mountains, and winding rivers. The Kapuas River is the longest river in Indonesia, serving as an important wildlife habitat as well as a connector and resource for the people who live along it. Unfortunately, destructive practices such as mining and illegal fishing fill the waterways with pollution and jeopardize the island’s fragile ecosystems.
The Kapuas River is the longest of Borneo's rivers. It provides vital resources to local communities but is severely impacted by pollution.
The area is inhabited by many threatened and endangered species, including slow lorises.
Dozens of community members on Tayan Island, located within the Kapuas River, have stepped up to fight these threats themselves. This indigenous-led, grassroots effort is leading patrols of the river to combat pollution and illegal fishing practices; replanting native trees; and improving food security for the local community. Thanks to the generous support of the Seacology community, we’ll be able to fully fund this important project!
“Hopefully this program will continue and we will be successful in […] maintaining the sustainability of the Kapuas River long term,” said Rizal Gustira, coordinator of SuKa Tayan, one of our partner organizations for this project. The Institute for Research and Development of Forest Products Technology is also helping to coordinate and implement this project.
A new guard post under construction will help the community fight illegal, destructive fishing practices.
The community is planting native trees to reforest the riverbanks.