Borneo Rainforest Conservation Projects

Borneo Rainforest Conservation Projects – Making a Difference During a School Expedition to Borneo

Borneo is home to stunning, pristine rainforests. Sadly, the rainforest environment is under constant threat from modern world pressures. We can offer itinerary’s for school trips or group expeditions to Borneo that help you learn more about the rainforest ecosystem, see first hand the stunning wildlife and plant life found there and getting ‘hands on’ supporting rainforest conservation efforts. A perfect combination of education and action, and powerful learning opportunities for those involved.

For our Borneo rainforest conservation activities we work closely with our longstanding local partners such as the conservation cooperative KOPEL located in the Lower Kinabatangan, and our Kinabatangan Lodge team located in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Find out more below about the rainforest conservation projects you could get hands on involved in during a Borneo expedition or group trip. The Rainforest Conservation projects can also be combined with wildlife expedition activities to offer a school expedition to Borneo that combines enjoying wildlife encounters up close during river cruises along the Kinabatangan River, learning about conservation efforts to protect endangered species of wildlife like the Bornean Orangutan and actively supporting rainforest conservation efforts.

“The activities involved were both physically challenging, such as river cleaning and jungle hikes, as well as linked to the conservation aspect of the trip. All the students gained a great deal from this trip, understanding the plight of the rainforests and the importance of the ongoing conservation work and the influence human activity has on natural systems. To see wild Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys in their natural environment as well as the conservation efforts to support the rare Sun- bears really touched our students to want to help more once back in Hong Kong.” Teacher, International School in Hong Kong

Borneo Rainforest Conservation Projects – a Perfect Compliment to a Wildlife Expedition to Sabah, Borneo

One of our Borneo Rainforest Conservation project partners is KOPEL. KOPEL is a Co-operative and works with the local river people of Batu Puteh, a community located in the Lower Kinabatangan, to help conserve their rainforests, aquatic biodiversity, and wildlife habitat in this unique part of Northeast Borneo. In this partnership there is a lot of flexibility to tailor rainforest conservation programs to suit different school needs during their school expedition to Borneo whether it be for personal development, global citizenship or even more science based curriculum based needs. Core Borneo rainforest conservation programs at KOPEL involve rainforest habitat restoration and freshwater aquatic lake habitat restoration amongst other cave and wildlife conservation projects. Within both of the core projects there is the opportunity to do to physical project work in all aspects of the restoration project lifecycle. In addition to this there is also scope to support local biological science initiatives via wildlife or environmental monitoring projects that run alongside the restoration work. Being a community initiative, working with KOPEL involves and immersion with local culture, language and foods and together we provide a safe yet authentic cultural experience.

Some of the Borneo rainforest conversation projects you could support during a school expedition to Borneo are outlined below. All of them come with the backdrop and surround sounds of a crazy tropical rainforest to explore in any down-time moments.

• Lake profiling and water quality monitoring is a team activity that involves both snapshot descriptive studies alongside more detailed long-term sampling. This Borneo rainforest conservation works starts with geographical positioning (GPS) data and mapping and the physical establishment of monitoring transects in the field. This work uses a whole range of techy tools, such as water Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Meter, PH meter as well as optical tools and colourimeter test kits for collecting data on key water chemistry parameters. The work also involves a number of fun activities and capturing techniques and the establishment of a field laboratory for the identification of aquatic biodiversity.
• Wildlife monitoring is both a team and individual activity that involves both direct observation with standard field ID tools alongside more modern techy solutions such as the deployment of wildlife camera traps. This Borneo rainforest conservation works starts with geographical positioning (GPS) data and mapping and the physical establishment of monitoring transects in the field. Both the direct observation and stealth camera deployment activities run hand in hand to provide ongoing and long term data on wildlife species diversity and abundance. KOPEL focuses this work on a variety of habitats and rainforest environments which provides a unique insight into the beauty and diversity of tropical lowland rainforest as well as in the restoration sites.

Interested? Contact our Experts for help arranging a Borneo Rainforest Conservation School Expedition or Group Trip to Borneo and pack your bags for a learning adventure of a lifetime!