In 2018, Borneo Nature Foundation was awarded a grant from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to prevent dry-season fires in critical orangutan habitat by restoring degraded areas of Sebangau National Park Peat-swamp Forest, and supporting community patrol and firefighting teams.
We are very pleased to announce that this support for BNF’s conservation efforts has been extended for another 2 years through Leonardo DiCaprio’s new organization ‘Earth Alliance’.
Photo: Suzanne Turnock | Borneo Nature Foundation
Earth Alliance convenes the communicating power of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation with the talent and capacities of Emerson Collective and Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC). Earth Alliance is co-chaired by environmental activist and Academy Award®-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, businesswoman and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, and investor and philanthropist Brian Sheth.
This also marks a new partnership between BNF and GWC as the grant will be administered by GWC on behalf of Earth Alliance. GWC conserves the diversity of life on Earth by safeguarding wildlands, protecting wildlife and supporting guardians. GWC’s impact is maximised by scientific research, biodiversity exploration, habitat conservation, protected area management, wildlife crime prevention, endangered species recovery, and conservation leadership cultivation.
Developing strong partnerships to implement global conservation is crucial. Through our alliances with leading conservation organisations, we are bringing together resources, experience and skills to increase our conservation impact and protect more rainforest and wildlife, whilst empowering local communities to protect their natural heritage.
Photo by Erik Frank | BNF | UPT LLG CIMTROP
The extended funding is essential to protect the Sebangau National Park Peat-swamp Forest. Although habitat restoration initiatives are underway, the impact of these projects may not be seen for a long time. Projects, like reforestation, can take decades to achieve success and for habitats to return back to their original state. In the meantime, conditions for forest fires remain high and an effective emergency firefighting response is urgently needed on-the-ground to ensure the Sebangau National Park Peat-swamp Forest remains a stronghold for the Critically Endangered orangutan and other iconic species of Borneo.
Thank you to Earth Alliance and Global Wildlife Conservation for their ongoing support to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Borneo.
