One Pleasant Day in Sebangau National Park Peat-swamp Forest

Last December, our BNF education volunteers got an opportunity to visit Camp Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest (LAHG), a special zone within Sebangau National Park. A total of 7 volunteers joined that day. Some of them had already visited this area before, while for others, it was their first time so they were very excited.

In the camp, volunteers conducted a lot of activities guided by BNF field staff, who are experts in their fields. They started the day learning how to use a compass and GPS, two of the main research tools that must always be brought into the forest. Next, they were ready to do the most awaited activity, the forest walk. To make it more exciting, the staff put 4 glasses in the forest so volunteers could implement the skills they had learnt, using a compass and GPS to look for the coordinates of the glasses.

BNF’s Volunteer learned from our experts to use field tools and the camera traps
Photo by Ina Kristina | BNF | UPT LLG CIMTROP

During the activity, volunteers also enjoyed the scenery of the peat swamp forest and the biodiversity within it. They were very curious about what they saw in the forest, including several unusual objects that turned out to be the other research tools, leaf net traps and butterfly traps. Then, the highlight was that they saw an Orangutan in the wild, eating on the top of the tree. They asked many questions to the staff who were always happy to answer.

After that, they headed back to the camp and learnt about the animals that live in Sebangau National Park, using another research tool, the camera trap. They saw the pictures and videos of animals in Sebangau National Park from camera traps which included the Orangutan, Clouded Leopard, Macaque, Sun Bear, and many more. The activity ended with a discussion about their feelings as a BNF education volunteer and their input to make the program better.

Here are the volunteers’ testimonies about their field trip to Camp Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest (LAHG) – CIMTROP, a special zone within the Sebangau National Park:

SilviaOn Sunday, we visited Camp LAHG. The one-day activities we did there were very memorable and useful. I got a lot of experience, such as reading a map, learning to use a compass and GPS which we used to find the hidden glasses with the coordinates as a challenge from field staff. During the forest walk, we saw leaf net traps and butterfly traps set in the forest as research tools. Another interesting activity was when the field staff gave us an opportunity to look closely at orangutan behaviour. Even though the orangutan was eating fruits on the tree, we didn’t feel disappointed. I will never forget the experience and knowledge that I got from one day trip to Sebangau National Park peat-swamp forest. It has motivated us to keep protecting and preserving forests in Indonesia.
SindyI was happy I could spend a day in Camp LAHG with other education volunteers. The food was delicious, the air of the forest was clean, and the game was fun. There are many toilets so we don’t need to wait for a long time. The BNF facilitators are friendly and fun. And I got to see an orangutan in the wild for the first time, it was a great experience.
RayThis was my second time going to Sebangau National Park peat-swamp forest with different experiences, friends, and knowledge about forests. This trip was an unforgettable experience for me because not everyone can get a chance to come to this forest. Thank you to BNF, especially the education team for giving me an opportunity to become a volunteer. I hope the good experience and knowledge that I got, I can share with other people so they can protect the forest as whole life.
EffanGoing back to nature is the best choice to understand how magnificent the work of God is. This is what I felt when I was in Camp LAHG and explored the forest with other BNF education volunteers. Do action, miracles happen.
AgrinaBeing happy is simple. When your passion is fulfilled for adventure and explore nature. I was grateful to have another opportunity to visit LAHG. I am always spoiled by the distinctive view of peat swamp forest and the charm of biodiversity that exists in this area. It makes me more in love and eager to protect and preserve nature. I was lucky to get a special moment seeing a wonderful endemic of Borneo, the Orangutan in their habitat directly. The existence of Orangutan is an indicator species which is an important sign of a healthy forest. Preserving the habitat of Orangutan means saving the various nature functions and human from ecological disasters. Go green. Go sustainable! Keep the conservation.
NovanI was interested to join Education Volunteer Program 2019 because this program goes to the community directly, especially young kids in Elementary to Junior High School. I hope they can protect the environment around them, not throw garbage anywhere, and protect Sebangau Forest and River. During the forest walk, there was a lot of fun and laughter among volunteers. This became a place for us to get closer and know each other. We went back to the city with experiences that others might not get. Thank you BNF Education Volunteer Team. Thank you, BNF.
SusvaI felt at home. Found a lot of enjoyable things, experience, happiness, cooperation, and knowledge. Everyone was very friendly. It was incredible.

This year, we already had a schedule to recruit new education volunteers, especially students in the universities in Palangkaraya to join in BNF education programs. We want them to have experiences with nature as well as being actively involved in environmental conservation. However, because of Covid – 19 pandemic, we have to postpone this volunteer activity. We hope that the condition can be better so we can start the activity immediately.

Written by Ina Kristina (BNF’s Education Staff)