Plant 1.000.000 Trees in Indonesia Damaged Forest

To respond to the urgent need for expanding conservation areas and ensuring the timely availability of high-quality seedlings for the 2026 planting season, Yayasan INFEST has launched a dedicated micro project through GlobalGiving. This initiative serves as a rapid and flexible funding mechanism to accelerate early-stage restoration efforts, particularly in situations where delays in seedling procurement could significantly impact planting success. Through this platform, we aim to mobilize wider public support while strengthening collaboration with local communities as key actors in forest conservation.

The link to microproject: https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/seedlingsforforesconservation/ 

The project is designed to develop 25-hectare agroforestry demonstration plot (demplot) as a learning and replication model for surrounding communities. This approach emphasizes that conservation and livelihoods must go hand in hand. Seedlings will be distributed to local farmers, who will be directly involved in land preparation, planting, and maintenance. Beyond ecological restoration—such as improving soil structure, enhancing water retention, and increasing biodiversity—the project also creates green jobs and supports local income generation through sustainable land use practices.

The primary focus of this micro project is the development of an agroforestry model in Bantul, Yogyakarta, where forest-edge communities face increasing environmental and economic pressures. The 25-hectare demplot will integrate timber species, fruit crops, and short-term agricultural commodities within a multi-layered agroforestry system. This model will serve as a practical example for farmers, demonstrating how production and conservation can coexist. By providing both immediate and long-term economic benefits, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on monoculture systems and gradually decrease pressure on surrounding forest areas.

Focus Area: Bantul, Yogyakarta

The micro project focuses on developing an agroforestry model in Bantul, integrating timber trees, fruit crops, and short-term agricultural commodities. This model serves as a practical pathway for:

• Reducing pressure on forest areas
• Improving farmer livelihoods
• Building sustainable landscape management systems

We invite you to be part of this effort. By supporting this micro project, you contribute directly to seedling production, conservation area restoration, and the development of a scalable agroforestry model. Each contribution helps build a more resilient landscape—where forests are protected, communities are empowered, and sustainable development becomes achievable.

Background

The Government of Indonesia has announced that the 2026 dry season is expected to be longer and more severe than usual. In several regions, including our program areas, drought conditions are projected to begin as early as May 2026. This situation poses significant risks to tree planting efforts, particularly for young seedlings that require stable water availability during early growth stages.

In response, our team has taken proactive measures to ensure that conservation and agroforestry initiatives remain effective and adaptive under these changing climate conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

To address the anticipated extended dry season, we have coordinated closely with local conservation communities and partner groups to implement the following mitigation strategies:

1. Selective Planting Locations
   Tree planting activities will only be conducted in areas with reliable water access and supporting irrigation systems. This ensures higher survival rates of seedlings during dry conditions.
2. Adjusted Planting Timeline
   Land preparation for conservation areas will begin in September 2026, aligning with the expected onset of the rainy season in December 2026. This timing allows seedlings to establish under optimal moisture conditions.

Nursery Development and Seedling Preparation

In parallel with field planning, we are strengthening our nursery operations to ensure the availability of high-quality seedlings for the 2026–2027 planting cycle.

The nursery currently focuses on the following key species:

• Liberica Coffee
  Prepared for distribution to forest farmers to support the development of agroforestry landscapes that integrate conservation with sustainable livelihoods.
• Durian
  Introduced as a high-value fruit crop within agroforestry systems, contributing to medium-term income diversification.
• Conservation Species
  Including bamboo and Bombax ceiba (randu alas), which play important roles in:
  • Soil stabilization
  • Water retention
  • Ecological restoration

Seedling Production Target

With the current level of funding and operational capacity, we are preparing approximately:

15,000 seedlings

These seedlings are scheduled for planting during the 2026 season, with a focus on both agroforestry development and dedicated conservation areas.

Outlook

Despite the challenges posed by climate variability, this adaptive approach ensures that planting efforts remain strategic, resilient, and impactful. By aligning planting schedules with seasonal patterns and strengthening nursery capacity, we aim to:

• Increase seedling survival rates
• Support sustainable agroforestry expansion
• Restore degraded landscapes
• Strengthen community-based conservation efforts

Conclusion

This update reflects our commitment to responsive and climate-adaptive conservation practices. By integrating careful planning, community coordination, and robust seedling preparation, we are laying the groundwork for successful tree planting efforts in 2026–2027.