Regrow Borneo Sites
Regrow Borneo has identified five key areas within the Sawit Kinabalu Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPCA) for our restoration efforts, with hundreds of hectares available for potential reforestation both within and beyond the SPCA.
The second area of focus is within the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, a severely degraded forest protected by the Sabah Forestry Department. In this location as well, we have identified hectares suitable for reforestation. Due to the degraded nature of the forest, we plan to plant at a higher density, with the potential to plant up to 18 million trees.
While trees in the Kinabatangan can technically be planted year-round, we primarily schedule our planting efforts immediately after the rainy season, which typically spans from October to March. This timing is especially important as some of our sites are prone to flooding.
We focus on planting native rainforest trees, carefully selected for their suitability to the local habitat. The seeds are collected and planted by our dedicated community partners. By planting a diverse mix of native species, well-adapted to the terrain, we aim to achieve optimal outcomes for biodiversity.
Interactive Map of Our Sites
Kaboi Lake
The very first site that Regrow Borneo worked on. It is in an area of freshwater swamp located next to an oxbow lake (a lake formed from an old bend in the river). The low-lying terrain here means that this site floods for months at a time during the rainy season.
Before replanting, the few trees that had survived previous logging were heavily covered in vines often bending under their weight. The thick vine coverage prevented younger trees from developing.
This site is approximately a kilometre from the river bank. Access is by boat, and hike through the forest.
Laab Swamp
This is a seasonally flooded and permanently waterlogged area of freshwater forest – and is one of the most challenging areas that Regrow Borneo is working to restore.
Trees find it difficult to take root in these conditions, due to a lack of oxygen. The planting team has experimented with a variety of planting techniques, including pole planting, to try and overcome this challenge.
Access by boat and a hike through the forest.
Kaboi Stumping
This site is a former landing pad for logging activities. It sits within a zone of seasonal flooding.
The soils here have been strongly altered and compacted by heavy machinery that has crossed the site. Despite logging activity coming to an end in the 1980s, the area remained treeless, dominated by elephant grass and vines.
Ladang Riparian Reserve
This is an area of land bordering the Kinabatangan River and oil palm plantations. Its location means it is one of the more accessible sites for tree planting. It is also considered a low risk area for tree mortality.
Access is by boat.
Sungai Pin
Located slightly upstream of the main local village of Batu Puteh, this was an area that was selectively logged, abandoned and colonised by rattan vines.
This site is riparian in nature, but at lower elevation so it spends much of the rain season under water. We have opened 4 sites here in 2022
Map of Our Sites
This is a seasonally flooded and permanently waterlogged area of freshwater forest – and is one of the most challenging areas that Regrow Borneo is working to restore.
Trees find it difficult to take root in these conditions, due to a lack of oxygen. The planting team has experimented with a variety of planting techniques, including pole planting, to try and overcome this challenge.
Access by boat and a hike through the forest.
The very first site that Regrow Borneo worked on. It is in an area of freshwater swamp located next to an oxbow lake (a lake formed from an old bend in the river). The low-lying terrain here means that this site floods for months at a time during the rainy season.
Before replanting, the few trees that had survived previous logging were heavily covered in vines often bending under their weight. The thick vine coverage prevented younger trees from developing.
This site is approximately a kilometre from the river bank. Access is by boat, and hike through the forest.
This site is a former landing pad for logging activities. It sits within a zone of seasonal flooding.
The soils here have been strongly altered and compacted by heavy machinery that has crossed the site. Despite logging activity coming to an end in the 1980s, the area remained treeless, dominated by elephant grass and vines.
This is an area of land bordering the Kinabatangan River and oil palm plantations. Its location means it is one of the more accessible sites for tree planting. It is also considered a low risk area for tree mortality.
Access is by boat.
Located slightly upstream of the main local village of Batu Puteh, this was an area that was selectively logged, abandoned and colonised by rattan vines.
This site is riparian in nature, but at lower elevation so it spends much of the rain season under water. We have opened 4 sites here in 2022
Partners & Patrons
DGFC supports long-term conservation strategies, studying wildlife survival in fragmented landscapes along the Kinabatangan in Sabah.
KOPEL is a community-driven cooperative, formed through the collaboration of local villagers, fishermen, and farmers. It represents a joint venture rooted in the collective efforts of rural people, working together to support sustainable livelihoods and preserve their natural environment.
