Sarah and Paddy Wills
The Sarah and Patrick Wills Foundation
“We have been pleased to discover Regrow Borneo, an outstanding initiative dedicated to restoring the Bornean rainforest and reversing the devastating effects of deforestation.
Operating on a remarkably low cost, they maximize the impact of every donation. Their efforts are not just about replanting trees; they are bringing back vital ecosystems, with fauna once thought lost—such as orangutans, Bornean bears, and Pygmy elephants—now beginning to return.
We are proud to support Regrow Borneo, knowing that our contributions are directly aiding the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of this precious environment.
We wholeheartedly encourage others to join this crucial cause.”
Martin Vogel
CEO, KOPEL
“Regrow Borneo means a great deal to KOPEL. Just to give you an idea of how special this program is; we have been doing forest habitat restoration for more than 20 years.
However this is the first time that we have had the opportunity to collaborate – long term – with researchers interested in restoration science at many levels. It is also unique that the donors of these efforts are looking holistically at the work, and are working together with us towards multiple outcomes such as sequestering carbon, alongside biodiversity, habitat and community well-being outcomes.
It is very refreshing that the approach has started small, in view of understanding the restoration dynamic in extremely challenging and degraded environments – such as here in the Kinabatangan Floodplain. Both the gains in understanding (the science) and the significant positive impact for forest habitat, we commend the efforts and are very grateful for the support and commitment to collaboration with our community co-operative KOPEL Bhd. We really hope the program continues, even at a small scale for many years to come.”
Charlotte Hogg
Ecological Consultant, Arcadis
“My experience with Regrow Borneo during a field trip to the Danau Girang Field centre in the Sabah region of Borneo, as part of my MSc in Ecology and Conservation at Cardiff University, was nothing short of transformative. Whilst there, we had the opportunity to directly contribute to Regrow Borneo’s vital work by planting young tree saplings along the Kinabatangan riverbank; an activity that highlighted the real impact of their reforestation efforts.
One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was meeting the tree planting leader from KOPEL, a local community organisation that partners with Regrow Borneo. Our leaders not only guided us through the process of planting the saplings but also shared the broader context of their efforts. They took us to see the saplings that had been planted in previous years, showing us how these young trees had grown and were beginning to restore the forest and develop resistance against the flooding. Their passion for conservation was truly inspiring, and their deep knowledge of the land and its challenges provided us with a rich understanding of the long-term impact of reforestation.
Throughout our visit, we also gained invaluable insights into the critical role that projects like Regrow Borneo play in ecosystem restoration and how they collaborate with local partners and organisations. A particularly eye-opening moment was learning about the challenges faced when working near oil palm plantations. For example, a reforested site was destroyed by estate owners who mistakenly believed it was their land, which demonstrates the complex realities of conservation work in such contested areas. However, it was uplifting to see how hard the Regrow Borneo and KOPEL staff had worked to replant this area again and ensure its protection for generations to come. Overall, this experience was both enlightening and inspiring.
It was incredible to witness firsthand the dedication and perseverance of Regrow Borneo and their partners like KOPEL in the face of the challenges presented by the ever-changing dynamics of our natural world. Their work is truly making a difference, and I am ever grateful to have been a part of it.”