Whole Earth are proudly teaming up with the Sumatran Orangutan Society
Together, we’re on a mission to plant 70,000 trees in the Sumatran rainforest. And we need your support.
Together, we’re on a mission to plant 70,000 trees in the Sumatran rainforest. And we need your support.
The Sumatran rainforest is one of the most important rainforests in the world. Extremely biodiverse, it is the only remaining habitat where orangutans, tigers, elephants and rhinos all live together in the wild. But it’s under threat, which is why we’re striving to increase rainforest cover in the Leuser ecosystem, also known as the Forever Forest, planting enough trees to help its wildlife thrive.
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Since Whole Earth’s creation more than 50 years ago, we’ve held acting ethically at the core of all that we do, doing everything in our power to put the earth first. This year we have created a Golden Rainforest Edition Peanut Butter to do even more.
When you buy our Golden Rainforest Edition Peanut Butter, you’ll be supporting SOS. 25% of profits from this special edition jar will go directly to the cause, helping us in our aim to plant 50,000 trees by the end of 2022. Combined with the 20,000 we planted last year, that’s enough new rainforest to cover the size of 42 football pitches!
Buy a jar
How many trees have we committed to planting so far? Check in on our progress using the tracker at the top of this page.
The Sumatran Orangutan Society protects and secures the future of the critically endangered orangutans who live in the rainforests of Sumatra.
Known as the gardeners of the forest, orangutans play a vital role in dispersing seeds and keeping the forest ecosystem healthy. This helps to maintain biodiversity and makes sure every living thing thrives, from huge mammals to tiny plants.
SOS and its partners are having a real impact: their community-powered conservation programmes have reached 20,000 local people, planting over 2 million trees and rescuing more than 200 orangutans.
As we prepare the land for planting, we build tree nurseries and train the local people. We start by planting fast-growing ‘pioneer’ species, such as sungkai and marak, which provide shade from the heat for slower-growing trees, and fallen leaves that provide richer soil in which to take root.
We plant hardwood and fruiting trees, remove weeds and add organic compost, to nurture the young seedlings. Birds start to return to the area, speeding up the natural regeneration and increasing the diversity of the new forest by planting seeds in their droppings.
By now the pioneer species planted in year 1 are creating a forest canopy, shading out weeds and creating the right microclimate for a rainforest to grow. Adding a mixture of additional tree species ensures that the new forest has good diversity – just like a natural rainforest.
Pioneer trees may be 9-10 metres tall, and hardwood and fruiting trees around 5-6 metres tall, providing a safe nesting spot for orangutans. Wildlife is returning to the area, including orangutans and elephants, and the once-barren landscape is buzzing with life!
Want to win a year's supply of Golden Rainforest Edition peanut butter? Visit SOS’s website to find out how!
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