Conservation holiday in Borneo

Highly Commended in the Responsible Tourism Awards 2007, Best Volunteering Organisation category, we own our ground operation, which means we have complete control over the integrity of our projects and the quality of the experiences we provide. We additionally subsidise our philanthropic objectives through additional funds raised by our Charitable Trust.

Our camps act as a source of local industry and employment with food produce and project materials bought locally. Local skilled workers are hired to assist volunteers with the projects work.

Accommodation styles vary dependant on your programme and camp location however, all permanent accommodation is constructed using locally sourced materials in keeping with traditional styles. Temporary camps (e.g. jungle) are designed to create as little impact on the natural surroundings as possible.

The conservation project work at Batu Puteh is centred around their efforts to re-generate the surrounding forest. Although in areas the forest is dense and healthy, in other areas due to flooding, poor soil and some human impacts, the forest has de-generated and allowed secondary growth of smaller plants. These plants have restricted larger trees from taking root and hence the programme aims to help these trees to re-claim the area. This is achieved through firstly clearing selected areas of secondary growth and then planting native species of saplings. These saplings must be grown from locally collected seeds, transplanted and nurtured in a nursery prior to being transported manually into the forest. The clearing, nursery work, planting and subsequent care of the saplings is very labour intensive work, particularly in the hot and sweaty conditions of a Borneo jungle.

Beach clean ups and providing adequate rubbish facilities reduce the amount of waste going into the ocean. Teaching the importance of this practice and the value of the ocean in local schools helps the project become sustainable for the future. Teaching younger generations about pollution and keeping traditional methods alive through education is a big part of what we do.

We provide and assist with the plantation of cash crops indigenous to the area. As well as going some way to off set the carbon emissions created by travel, it is also a sustainable source of income. It also protects the surrounding environment from more serious money making solutions such as over logging.

The UK office is here to assist you with your booking and help you prepare for your trip. There is also a 24 hours emergency mobile which can be left with your relatives in case they need to contact us/you urgently.