July 31, 2026
More than 55,000 people live in and around RER. Around 17,000 live on the Kampar Peninsula, while 34,000 live on Padang Island. Many depend on the surrounding environment for their livelihoods, from fishing and bird’s nest harvesting to honey gathering. Their participation is therefore essential to the long-term success of restoration efforts.
That’s why, since its establishment, RER and its partners have involved communities at every stage, from planning and implementation to monitoring. By listening to local knowledge and understanding the needs of each community, we shape more effective programmes while building a shared commitment to protect the ecosystem.
To turn that shared commitment into action, education plays a key role. We continuously raise awareness about environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. At the same time, we help introduce alternative livelihoods that are more environmentally responsible. This shows how restoration efforts can help preserve traditions while building a stronger and more diverse local economy.
Raising awareness needs to be followed by real support, both technical and financial. To ensure each programme reflects local needs and is backed by the right expertise and permits, RER works closely with governments, NGOs, and community groups.
The impact of this collaboration can be seen in Segamai Village. RER works with the village’s Forest Management Institution to strengthen local capacity in managing and monitoring forest resources. With hands-on training and financial support, the village had established two guard posts by 2024, along with a tree nursery containing 475 native seedlings for restoring degraded areas.
In Serapung Village, our joint efforts are creating new opportunities for local communities. Through the Field School programme, RER and Tropenbos Indonesia trained communities to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices and reduce dependence on illegal logging. By 2024, 105 farmers had been assisted in producing organic fertilisers and improving the productivity of rice, chili, and cocoa farming.
Beyond village programmes, RER also works with local farming groups to promote no-burn land clearing methods. To support the transition, farmers received training and access to tractors that make land clearing easier without using fire.
The same support extends to local fishing communities, encouraging them to move away from harmful methods such as poison and electrofishing. Through the programme, fishers received more environmentally friendly traps and boats that support safer yet still productive catches.
Long-term conservation depends not only on today’s communities, but also on educating the next generation.
Through its Eco-Education programme, RER regularly welcomes students to its Eco Research Camp. They learn directly from field teams and conservation experts while visiting tree nurseries, forest ranger posts, and restoration areas. These experiences help students see how our work happens on the ground and why healthy peat forests matter to surrounding communities.
Through these continuous learning opportunities, conservation efforts can stay connected to real conditions in the field. This inclusive approach helps communities gain the support and understanding needed to take a more active role in protecting peat swamp forests and supporting their long-term future.
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