Day 3 Highlights

Field Visit to Wanadesa Bamboo Ecotourism and Mentawir Nursery

The field visits to Wanadesa Bamboo Ecotourism and the Mentawir Nursery were highlights of the SSE, showcasing successful examples of forest management and restoration efforts. Integral to the event's overarching themes, these visits emphasized sharing experiences and learning about the implementation of REDD+, Results-Based Payments (RBP), and climate finance instruments. They underscored the critical role of local communities and green infrastructure in achieving FOLU Net Sink 2030 and broader climate goals.

Located in East Kalimantan, these sites showcased tangible examples of how local initiatives can effectively align with and support REDD+ objectives. Collectively, the visits illustrated how countries can enhance their REDD+ initiatives through community-driven approaches, emphasizing the value of collaborative learning and the sharing of best practices. This provided participants with valuable insights to refine their forest management strategies and foster effective partnerships in climate finance.

One of the key sites visited was the Wanadesa Bamboo Farmer Group, which has received support from the East Kalimantan Forestry Office to establish itself as a Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) under the social forestry program. This community-driven initiative has successfully transformed former illegal loggers into operators, turning degraded land into a thriving local ecotourism project through bamboo restoration, generating substantial income for its members. Over the past decade, the project has preserved approximately 9 million cubic meters of water during the dry season across around 600 hectares of the adjacent lake.

Participants observed how sustainable ecotourism creates economic incentives for forest conservation, leading to significant reductions in deforestation and improved livelihoods for the community. This model exemplifies an innovative solution that aligns with REDD+ objectives and demonstrates the potential for Results-Based Payments (RBP) mechanisms. By effectively contributing to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation, Wanadesa is well-positioned to access performance-based funding, thereby reinforcing the economic viability of its conservation efforts.

The visit highlighted the critical importance of community engagement in these strategies, which is a central theme of the event. It was evident how social forestry empowers local communities in sustainable forest management, with KUPS serving as a practical implementation mechanism that fosters collective action in forestry-based enterprises. By facilitating access to resources, training, and markets, KUPS supports community members in integrating tree planting and forest management into their agricultural practices. This integration enhances biodiversity, improves soil quality, and increases carbon sequestration—essential for achieving broader environmental goals.

In line with this, the field visit to the Mentawir Nursery served as a vital readiness mechanism to support REDD+. It showcased best practices in forest management and reforestation that are directly linked to RBP principles. Participants learned how successful tree planting initiatives contribute to carbon sequestration and biodiversity restoration, making them eligible for performance-based payments. By demonstrating effective monitoring and measurement techniques, Mentawir illustrated the crucial steps needed for the government to secure funding through climate finance mechanisms.

Furthermore, the nursery, built and managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, emphasizes capacity building and is collaboratively managed with local communities. This approach equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective forest management practices. Such readiness enhances local resilience and aligns with national climate targets, reinforcing the role of local initiatives within the broader REDD+ framework.