Sumatra has lost almost half its forest cover in the past 25 years, with devastating consequences for biodiversity. Hundreds of hectares of the Gunung Leuser National Park, the last stronghold for the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, have been illegally converted into oil palm plantations and other agricultural developments. Around four million people in Sumatra also rely on this precious ecosystem for a huge range of ecological services, including water and soil fertility.

We are working with local partners and local communities to restore vital orangutan habitat that has been damaged by illegal oil palm plantations established within the Gunung Leuser National Park. We are training the local people to manage organic tree nurseries, and thousands of tree seedlings have already been planted on more than 250 hectares of land. These communities now have a deeper understanding of the value of forests, and have pledged to protect the park from further encroachment.