Voluntourism

TREE PLANTING

RAINFOREST for WILDLIFE is the Our Malaysian effort in reforestation work on several sites located along the Kinabatangan River. With humble beginnings in August 2008, it focuses on reconnecting fragmented forest of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, establishing a continuous corridor for the diverse flora and fauna of this unique rainforest floodplain.

A majority of reforestation sites along the Kinabatangan River are ex-logging sites, former log dumping sites, abandoned or alienated land or former agriculture land such as oil palm that have been returned for reforestation. The sites that Our Team is working on are ex-logging and former log dumpsites. Manpower for the Rainforest for Wildlife project comes from paying volunteers to the Borneo Wildlife Safari/Orang-utan and Pygmy Elephant experience.

Although small in numbers, volunteers or students are present almost every month, providing the Rainforest for Wildlife Project a continuous stream of people to ensure the success of this reforestation effort.

RESULTS

The first 2 sites have recorded an impressive survival rate of more than 75%. Trees on these sites are more than 3 metres tall.

The 3rd site has just been completed and is undergoing monthly maintenance while the 4th site is still undergoing reforestation. We have planted more than 700 saplings on these 2 sites and will continue planting till it is completely reforested.

FUTURE

More riparian land is being negotiated for planting, among them more Wildlife Sanctuary land as well as Trust Land for conservation.

TREE SPECIES

Tree species selected for planting in this project are native tree species inhabiting the floodplain area. Among the main characteristics of the tree species chosen for planting are:

1) Fruit-bearing – for wildlife such as orang-utans, hornbills, macaques

2) Fast-growing/Pioneer (Native)

3) Water tolerant (Inundated/Semi-inundated) – to survive in the floodplain rainforest

Some of the tree species that were planted:

1) Bayor (Pterospernum elongatum)

2) Sepat (Mytrogyna speciosa)

3) Simpoh (Dillenia sp)

4) Binuang (Neolarmakia cadamba)

5) Laran (Anthocephalus chineensis)

6) Kerodong (Microcos crassifolia)

7) Sengkuang (Drancotomelon dao)

8) Talisai Paya (Terminalia copelandii)

9) Tarap Hutan (Atocarpus sp)

10) Kayu Malam (Diospyros sp)

11) Sentul Hutan (Sondaraicun koetgate)

12) Durian (Durio sp)

13) Pelajau (Pentaspadon motleyi)

14) Obah Jangkang (Eugenia cerassiformis)

15) Ranggu (Koordersiodendron pinnatum)