21 Aug 2024

Project

Revitalising the Silam Coast Conservation Area for a sustainable future

The Silam Coast Conservation Area (SCCA) Restoration Project is an eight-year collaborative initiative between Preferred by Nature and the Yayasan Sabah Group. Located in Lahad Datu, Sabah, this project aims to restore 100 hectares of degraded forest within the SCCA.

At Preferred by Nature, we are dedicated to addressing global climate change. However, we acknowledge that our travel-related activities contribute to carbon emissions. Over the past five years, we have worked to measure and reduce our carbon footprint, though some travel remains essential to our work.

Rather than relying on traditional carbon offsetting—where a significant portion of funds goes to traders and investors—we have chosen a hands-on approach. This decision is the driving force behind the SCCA Restoration Project.

By planting native trees and engaging local communities, this project aims to rejuvenate the forest ecosystem, enhance biodiversity and address climate change. Aligned with the Preferred by Nature Ecosystem Restoration Standard, the project not only supports environmental recovery but also sets a benchmark for effective and impactful ecosystem restoration.

Challenges

The project confronts several challenges, including the extensive deforestation and land degradation that have severely impacted the region. The removal of invasive species, soil preparation, and the introduction of native tree species are critical tasks that require careful planning and execution. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project and securing active community involvement are ongoing challenges that the initiative aims to address.

Beneficiaries

The SCCA Restoration Project brings numerous benefits to local communities in Sabah. It creates employment opportunities, enhances infrastructure, and provides educational programmes in sustainable land management. Moreover, the forest restoration supports diverse plant and wildlife species, ensuring a healthier and more resilient ecosystem for future generations.

Objectives

Forest rehabilitation: Restore 100 hectares of degraded forest by planting native trees, including Shorea spp. and Hopea spp. (Dipterocarps), as well as native fruit trees such as Durio spp. (durian) and Artocarpus spp. (jackfruit).
Biodiversity enhancement: Improve habitat conditions to support a diverse range of plant and wildlife species, fostering a resilient and thriving ecosystem.
Climate change mitigation: Increase forest cover to enhance carbon sequestration, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
Community engagement: Empower local communities through education, employment and active participation in conservation activities, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Project background

The SCCA Restoration Project is a comprehensive effort to address environmental degradation in the SCCA through a multi-faceted approach. Central to this initiative is the reforestation of 100 hectares of degraded land, focusing on planting native trees.

By prioritising species such as Shorea spp. and Hopea spp., vital to the region’s ecological balance, the project seeks to restore the natural forest structure. An essential aspect of this restoration process is the careful management of invasive species to reduce competition and enhance the survival rate of the newly planted trees.

Following extensive preparations, surveys and evaluations, Preferred by Nature and Yayasan Sabah Group, supported by 250 local community members, schools and politicians, began the tree planting activities within the SCCA. This area is part of a now protected 350,000-hectare biodiversity corridor stretching from Borneo’s ridge to the reef, where significant land degradation from overharvesting necessitates rainforest restoration.

Restoring forest ecosystems and climate benefits

The project adheres to the Preferred by Nature Ecosystem Restoration Standard, which provides a structured approach for field-level verification. This Standard prioritises native species while accommodating the strategic use of alien species for ‘nursing’ or similar functions, leading to the re-establishment of natural forest cover or ecosystem function.

In addition to restoring forest cover, the project aims to enhance habitat quality for wildlife, creating a more suitable environment for endangered species. The reforested areas will serve as vital corridors, connecting fragmented habitats and facilitating greater genetic exchange among wildlife populations.

The increased forest cover from this project will significantly contribute to carbon sequestration, supporting global climate change mitigation efforts. Furthermore, the restored forest is expected to improve local microclimates, regulate water cycles, and reduce the risk of natural disasters such as landslides and floods, thereby enhancing the region’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Continuous monitoring is integral to the project’s methodology, utilising a combination of remote sensing technology and on-the-ground surveys to track tree growth, survival rates and biodiversity recovery. Adaptive management practices are employed to allow for necessary adjustments in response to unforeseen challenges or changing environmental conditions.

Community involvement and capacity building

The project’s success relies heavily on local community involvement, with participants engaged in various roles, from seed collection and nursery management to the actual planting and ongoing monitoring of the forest. Training programmes are also provided to equip community members with valuable skills in sustainable land management, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring long-term care for the restored areas.

Beyond direct restoration activities, the project emphasises capacity building among local stakeholders. Workshops, educational outreach and collaborative research are key components that ensure knowledge transfer and enable the replication of successful practices in other degraded areas of Sabah and beyond.

Through this project, Preferred by Nature, in partnership with the Yayasan Sabah Group and other state collaborators, hopes to inspire other organisations to invest directly in ecosystem restoration as a means to offset their carbon and biodiversity impact.

This initiative also marks 25 years of Preferred by Nature’s collaboration with the Yayasan Sabah Group and other partners, dedicated to conserving critical biodiversity and restoring forests degraded by overharvesting.

For more information, download the project info sheet.

Cover photo by SabahTravel.com