The Borneo Project

A CRITICAL MOMENTTO PROTECT RAINFORESTS AND RIVERS

Industrial logging and plantation development in Borneo’s forests have polluted rivers, degraded fragile forest ecosystems and made it difficult for communities to find the forest products they need to survive.

ABOUT BORNEO

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTFOR INDIGENOUS CAMPAIGNS

The Borneo Project responds to the needs of local partners, providing whatever support best suits programmatic and campaign needs.

OUR WORK

ELEVATING GRASSROOTS VOICESWATCH OUR FILM SERIES

The Borneo Project Film Team created a series of short documentary films about the 12 mega-dams slated for construction in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, in northern Borneo.

WATCH NOW

HUMAN RIGHTSFOR FOREST PROTECTORS

Most of the indigenous communities of Borneo do not have legal rights to the land that they depend on for their lives and livelihoods.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

27 Aug

Growing tensions over logging spark protest and petition

Save our forest and stop the logging – Baram Penan communities send clear message from the forest to Sarawak’s capital (KUCHING & BARAM /…

23 Aug

Latest satellite analysis debunks “no massive logging” claim

Satellite analysis reveals logging road expansion nearing core protection zone of government backed project in the Baram River Basin (BARAM / SARAWAK / MALAYSIA)…

09 Jul

Alarming new logging project exposed in Indigenous conservation zone

Malaysian Borneo’s last primary rainforests under threat despite international conservation promises A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram region poses an immediate threat…

11 Jun

Penan community accuses Samling of destroying protected salt lick

Opposition mounts in Layun Forest Management Unit, while Long Pakan community blames Samling’s logging operations for destruction of an HCV protected salt lick People…

Behind the Scenes

borneoproject

Helping #Borneo's #rainforest communities protect their lands, livelihoods, and cultures for generations to come. #StopTheChop

Penan activist Elizabeth Ballang points to a sign

Penan activist Elizabeth Ballang points to a sign from the Sarawak Forest Department declaring that no trees can be cut in this area. Yet, the same department has granted Borneoland Timber a license to log. It's no wonder communities are confused and outraged.

We stand in solidarity with the Baram communities as they fight for justice, land rights, and a sustainable future. ✊

📢 Join the movement and sign the petition to protect the Baram Peace Park at #LinkInBio

#StopTheChop #LandRightsNow #DefendBorneo #JusticeForBaram

Communities in Sarawak are rising up, fighting to

Communities in Sarawak are rising up, fighting to save the Baram Peace Park from logging. Agan Teliap, pictured here, has signed the petition to protect his ancestral lands against destructive logging practices. Forest defenders like him are working to protect some of the last intact primary forests left in Sarawak.

We stand with Baram communities in their fight for justice and sustainability. ✊

📢 You can sign the petition to protect the peace park at #LinkInBio

#BorneoProject #DefendTheForest #NoMoreLogging #IndigenousRights #ClimateJustice #ActNow #StopTheChop #LandRightsNow

"Save our forest and stop the logging" — Baram P

"Save our forest and stop the logging" — Baram Penan communities send a dramatic appeal and a petition with over 500 signatures from the forest to Sarawak’s decision-makers.

“We are scared of the growing aggression in our village. Our delegation is here in Kuching today to ask the Premier and other representatives of the government to end the logging and bring peace back to our home and forest,” said Maria Nilson, a farmer from the Penan village of Ba Data Bila.

#StopTheChop #LandRightsNow #OurLandOurLife #BaramPeacePark

Contrary to recent claims by the Forest Department

Contrary to recent claims by the Forest Department Sarawak, satellite analysis of the last three months indicates that a network of logging roads is rapidly developing close to the Penan community of Ba Data Bila, inside the Baram Peace Park.

It’s about time the community got some real answers.

#StopTheChop #OurLandOurLife #BaramPeacePark

Contrary to recent claims by the @forest_departmen

Contrary to recent claims by the @forest_department_sarawak, satellite analysis of the last three months indicates that a network of logging roads is rapidly developing close to the Penan community of Ba Data Bila, inside the Baram Peace Park.

It's about time the community got some real answers.

#StopTheChop #OurLandOurLife #BaramPeacePark

Wow, wow, wow at this post from @chienleephotograp

Wow, wow, wow at this post from @chienleephotography

Got a question at my public talk this morning on whether or not I had ever seen ‘ghosts’ in the rainforest. While I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything supernatural on my expeditions, I have certainly encountered zombies: this is the eerie apparition of a jumping spider that has been killed and enveloped by a deadly fungus (Torrubiella cf. ratticaudata). Like most entomopathogenic fungi, the infection alters the behavior of its host (hence ‘zombification’) and induces it to seek out an environmentally-friendly location for the fungus to complete its life cycle. The long rat-tail like protrusion emerging from the rear of the spider is the fruiting body of the fungus – this will produce spores to infect other nearby spiders.

In-situ. Nikon D850 | 105mm f/2.8 micro | Shutter 1/250s | Aperture f/13| ISO 80 | two external flashes with custom diffusers.

#borneo #rainforest #spidersofinstagram #fungi #fungus #parasite #parasitic #zombiefungus #thelastofus #fungusamongus #mycology #mushrooms #mycophile #fungiphotography #biology #fantasticfungi #macro_captures #macro_freaks #entomology #macrophoto #macrophotography #macroworld #cordyceps #science #natureismetal #zombie #spider #arachnid #arachnids #spidersoftheworld

Via @saveriversofficial Today, August 9th, is th

Via @saveriversofficial

Today, August 9th, is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The theme for this year, “Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact,” highlights the global commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of indigenous communities.

The 1945 UN Charter represents humanity’s determination to address the injustices of colonialism. Its focus on decolonization aimed to correct centuries of political, economic, and cultural oppression experienced by indigenous peoples around the world. This observance serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and self-determination for these communities.

*Background photo was taken at Singai, Bau from the site of our Perayaan Hari Orang Asal celebration

Niah Caves National Park is now a UNESCO World Her

Niah Caves National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site 🌎 🍃

According to the description by Unesco, the cave complex contains the longest known records of human interaction with rainforests, spanning at least 50,000 years, from the Pleistocene to the Mid-Holocene periods.

It’s also real pretty.

Come take a look next time you’re in Miri 💚

⠀ ICYMI: A new logging operation in Sarawak’s

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ICYMI: A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram region poses an immediate threat to some of the last primary rainforests in the Heart of Borneo.⠀
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Penan communities fear the logging activities could devastate the rich biodiversity near Gunung Murud Kecil, a major landmark in the region. “All 18 Upper Baram Penan communities are opposed to this logging operation”, said Penan leader Komeok Joe. “We request that Sarawak Premier Abang Johari will stop this encroachment into our forest.” ⠀
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Read the full story on our website. ⠀

We often discuss keystone species in Sarawak—tho

We often discuss keystone species in Sarawak—those remarkable animals whose influence on the ecosystem far exceeds their numbers. Similarly, Borneo can be seen as a keystone island, a place with a disproportionately large impact on planetary health, thanks to its ancient and vital tropical rainforests that help stabilize temperatures, absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide, and provide a haven for countless species.

At The Borneo Project, we like to think of ourselves as a keystone organization. Despite our small team, we've achieved amazing things. Over the past decade, we've helped defeat a mega-dam project, faced down legal threats from one of the largest timber companies, and stopped logging in critical areas.

We are halfway to reaching our goal for our 2024 midyear appeal. These funds will enable us to expand our team, enhance our efforts, and delve deeper into our work. All donations up to $20,000 made between now and the end of the month will be matched, thanks to a generous donor in Portland, Oregon.

Make an outsized impact by doubling your donation. Find all the different ways to contribute at borneoproject.org/ways-to-give

A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram

A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram region poses an immediate threat to some of the last primary rainforests in the Heart of Borneo.

We call on @anwaribrahim_my to urgently clarify the situation with Sarawak authorities.

A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram

A new logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram region poses an immediate threat to some of the last primary rainforests in the Heart of Borneo.

“It is disturbing that Malaysia allows the logging of one of Sarawak’s last primeval forest areas inside an internationally funded conservation area. We call on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to clarify the situation with the Sarawak authorities”, said Lukas Straumann, director of the Bruno Manser Fonds.

Read the full story at borneoproject.org
Pic via @brunomanserfonds

We're halfway there! 🍃 Double your impact by do

We're halfway there! 🍃 Double your impact by donating today 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Investing in Indigenous communities is the best way to protect forests. Holding this core belief is key to all the success we have had at The Borneo Project.

We always focus our efforts where they can have the greatest impact. When we see a crack in the door, we push it wide open. Right now, we have the opportunity to grow our team, and we just need a little help to get there.

We are halfway to reaching our goal for our 2024 midyear appeal. All donations up to $20,000 made between now and the end of the month will be matched, thanks to a generous donor in Portland, Oregon.

Double your impact by donating today. Find all the different ways to contribute at borneoproject.org/ways-to-give

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT 🍃 All donations up to $20,0

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT 🍃

All donations up to $20,000 will be doubled by a generous supporter until the end of July!

More and more communities are seeking support as they see the impacts of our projects and campaigns. There is still so much work to be done, and there is still so much worth protecting. Donate today to double your contribution and help us get to our $40,000 goal by August 1st.

Head to borneoproject.org/ways-to-give to find all the ways to contribute.

Pictured here: our incredible local partners SAVE Rivers workshopping a community declaration for Indigenous self determination in the Baram Peace Park.

Right now is *the best possible time* to donate to

Right now is *the best possible time* to donate to The Borneo Project. All donations up to $20,000 between now and the end of July will be doubled by a generous supporter in Portland, Oregon.

More and more communities are seeking support as they see the impacts of our projects and campaigns. Empowering communities to shape their vision of the future and to determine what development looks like on their terms is crucial for tackling deforestation, mitigating climate change, and ensuring human rights.

There is still so much work to be done, and there is still so much worth protecting. Donate today to double your contribution and help us get to our $40,000 goal by August 1st.

Head to borneoproject.org/ways-to-give to find all the ways to contribute.

A sustainable energy transition is not sustainable

A sustainable energy transition is not sustainable if it does not respect Indigenous rights.

Repost via @saveriversofficial and @yufemy

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