The incredible rainforests of Borneo, Indonesia are some of the most species-rich and biodiverse in the world. Indonesia’s forests are more than 140 million years old—the oldest tropical forests on earth. And though they only cover about 1% of earth’s surface, their biodiversity is staggering, housing 10% of the world’s plants, 16% of reptiles and amphibians, 17% of birds, and 12% of mammals, including the iconic and critically endangered orangutan.
Preserving Biodiversity
The forests of East Kalimantan play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of global climate change. With East Kalimantan’s Forest area reaching 8.3 million hectares (20.5 million acres) in 2023, the threat of deforestation and ecosystem degradation is a stark reality. Our commitment to protecting this landscape is vital in preserving Indonesia's natural environment and biodiversity.
Logging Concessions within Borneo Area
The Indonesian government leases large areas of forest, called logging concessions, to private companies for timber production. In Kalimantan, there are >150 concessions covering >20 million hectares, about half of which is still forested. If managed sustainably, logged forests can retain 80–90% of their original biodiversity, including critical habitat for endangered species like orangutans and Sunda clouded leopards. In fact, nearly 30% of Bornean orangutans live within logging concessions.
Wana Bakti Persada Utama logging concession
PT. Wana Bakti Persada Utama is a 44,000-hectare forest concession in Berau with significant ecological and cultural values. Its lowland and montane forests are home to ~80 orangutans and 4 villages inhabited by the indigenous Dayak tribe, a prominent ethnic group in the Kalimantan region of Indonesia.
Critical Area to Protect
TNC/YKAN has supported conservation in this region since 2016, working with national and local governments, logging operators, plantations, and other nonprofits. Our work addresses threats to forest ecosystems by promoting sustainable logging practices that help safeguard biodiversity and cultural heritage. Within the concession, we identify areas to protect based on forest cover, biodiversity data, and timber production targets.
Bentala Kalimantan Landscape
The Bentala Kalimantan landscape spans 1.3 million hectares across the Berau and East Kutai districts. This landscape — with multiple logging concessions, community forest, and protected areas — is home to >1,200 orangutans. But the region also faces significant threats, including illegal deforestation for agriculture, encroachment from oil palm plantations, illegal mining, and forest fires, all of which endanger both orangutans and indigenous communities.
RETURN
A Partnership to Help Protect Our Forests
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Arhaus are partnering to support Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) in its efforts to support the Indonesian Government, companies, and communities to protect and sustainable manage the forests in Kalimantan.
TNC x Arhaus Partner for Protection
Arhaus has provided a transformative gift to help support our work in Borneo.
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Quote: John Reed
We are honored to support TNC as it works alongside YKAN, its local Indonesian affiliate, to embark on an ambitious project that will help pave a new path for sustainable forestry."
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