Wild Asia: People, Nature and the Environment

"Partnerships for Conservation"

Wild Asia forges partnerships to support conservation of natural areas. As a social enterprise it serves the middle ground between NGOs and business industries. This is done by promoting sustainable practices that integrate environmental and social welfare with economic objectives.

The ultimate goals are to minimize adverse impacts on the environment in a way that engages local communities and respects local cultures in the process.

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Wild Asia: Engaging Tourism, Agriculture and Industry

Responsible Tourism Initiative

Committed operators follow three bottom lines:

• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

They preserve local environments, local cultures and the local economy to be a responsible operator and neighbor.

With careful management of their business, including natural resources, staff, energy and waste, the aim is to focus on maximising guest holiday experiences while minimising their impacts.

Sustainable Agriculture Initiative

Corporations and companies require a deeper environmental and social understanding of sustainability values.

Wild Asia assists the plantation sector to prepare and integrate Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) criteria into planning and practice regimes. These criteria address agro-economic factors, ensure workers' rights and safety, and monitors environmental impacts beyond plantation boundaries.

Biodiversity and conservation assessments are conducted as a tool for guiding landowners to enhance natural attributes.

Natural Corridor Initiative

Rivers are corridors that connect large landscapes.

By recognizing the value of natural habitats outside of protected areas, a mosaic smaller linkages provides alternative havens for wildlife.

Tree-lined streams, forested hilltops and wetlands are all natural pathways to enhance and protect for wild species and endangered animals moving in and out of forest reserves and parks.

Wild Asia: Supporting Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

Responsible Tourism Awards

Download an RT Checklist

Each year Wild Asia recognizes tourism operators in Asia that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism with their RT Awards program.

A list of candidates is narrowed down to select resorts, eco-lodges and home-stays that implement outstanding environmental management and social programs that benefit tourists and surrounding communities.

Plant-A-Tree Program

Start a tree planting project

Tree planting events are scheduled each year to bolster the Natural Corridor Initiative or other environmental projects.

Purchase some tree seedlings for the next event or organize or sponsor an event for staff, a school or your company.

Trees are planted in designated plots and every purchase receives an E-Certificate as an acknowledgment and to thank you for your support.

Seed Grant Program

Direct monetary contributions are made to support conservation projects. These small financial grants intend to kick start ideas to get them off and running while seeking additional funding sources.

Here are just a few of the recipients and their projects:

Slow Loris Research in Peninsular Malaysia
Slow loris with young

Researcher Jaime Castillo Garcia works with the slow loris - a nocturnal animal with few studies done due to its lifestyle.

Using radio collars to track the primate gives behavioral ecology data to use in developing effective conservation measures.

Details of how the animals behave and groups that live together are compiled to produce a profile to protect the species and its habitat.

Asian Elephant Conservation in Peninsular Malaysia
Relocating young elephant

Regen Jamieson was awarded a Seed Grant for her project on wild Asian elephants. The purpose is to monitor, using GPS satellite collars, the post-release movements of crop-raiding elephants being translocated from areas of conflict to Taman Negara.

The results aim to provide data on a flagship endangered species, and increase the capacity of local wildlife managers.

Community Project in Bali, Indonesia
Learning the ways of Balinese

The Jaringan Ekowisata Desa (JED), or Village Ecotourism Network is a cooperative involving four villages in Bali. JED organises and runs trips for tourists to learn about village life and the environment from a local perspective.

They aim to supplement village livelihoods, support environmental education and strengthen pride in customs and traditions. With Seed Grant funds, JED was able to launch its website, print brochures and embark on building relationships with hotels to promote its excursions.

Community Nature Interpretation in Sabah

Edutree Services works with communities of the Klias Peninsula in Sabah. They are developing interpretive trails and guidebooks of their own.

The Seed Grant was used to buy resources and field guides needed to enhance the villagers own knowledge first before making more site specific and cultural guide books as well as being nature guides for visitors to the trail.

Outreach Programme for Sea Gypsy Communities in East Malaysia

Located in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park in Sabah, this outreach programme seeks two-way communication between the Bajau Laut (Sea Gypsy) community and the park management.

One of several aims is to end destructive practices such as fish blasting by increasing awareness among the Bajau Laut of conservation issues, park rules and alternative livelihoods.

Wild Asia: Volunteer and Intern Opportunities

Need some practical experience or do you have a few months to spare?

Why not volunteer for a conservation project or be a research intern. You'll work alongside a dedicated team on promoting social and environmental understanding of our natural world.

Wild Asia is unique in that it strives to engage both the business and local communities to bring about an understanding and commitment to conservation. It works with tourism operators, plantation companies and also partners with local communities.