Field Partner
YANI (Yayasan Adudu Nantu International) was founded in 2002 by a team who had worked together at the Nantu Forest since 1993. This team played an instrumental role in documenting the unique biodiversity of Nantu and contributed to the establishment of the Nantu Wildlife Sanctuary by the Indonesian government in 1999. For more than 20 years, YANI has been working tirelessly to protect this pristine ecosystem.
Goals
YANI’s mission is to preserve the unique biodiversity of Sulawesi, focusing on the Nantu Rainforest, for future generations of both Indonesian and global citizens. To achieve this, YANI collaborates with local partners to:
- Implement direct field actions aimed at reducing global biodiversity loss.
- Promote the Nantu Forest as a global case study in effective rainforest management and sustainable development.
- Enhance local capacity for biodiversity conservation through practical field learning initiatives.
Location
The Nantu Forest is located in Gorontalo Province, on Sulawesi’s northern arm. It comprises a legally protected area of 580 km² and is under the juristriction of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Maps data © 2024 Google
Field Partner
YANI (Yayasan Adudu Nantu International) was founded in 2002 by a team who had worked together at the Nantu Forest since 1993. This team played an instrumental role in documenting the unique biodiversity of Nantu and contributed to the establishment of the Nantu Wildlife Sanctuary by the Indonesian government in 1999. For more than 20 years, YANI has been working tirelessly to protect this pristine ecosystem.
Location
The Nantu Forest is located in Gorontalo Province, on Sulawesi’s northern arm. It comprises a legally protected area of 580 km² and is under the juristriction of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Maps data © 2024 Google
Goals
YANI’s mission is to preserve the unique biodiversity of Sulawesi, focusing on the Nantu Rainforest, for future generations of both Indonesian and global citizens. To achieve this, YANI collaborates with local partners to:
- Implement direct field actions aimed at reducing global biodiversity loss.
- Promote the Nantu Forest as a global case study in effective rainforest management and sustainable development.
- Enhance local capacity for biodiversity conservation through practical field learning initiatives.
A Unique Ecosystem
Sulawesi lies at the heart of the bio-geographic region known as Wallacea. This is the transitional zone between the Asian and Australasian faunas, first identified by explorer Alfred Russel Wallace, contemporary of Charles Darwin. Wallacea is neither entirely Asian nor Australasian, nor is it simply a mixture of the two but rather it contains many creatures which are not found in either Asia or Australia. This means protecting these species and their natural habitats is of the very highest priority, given most are found nowhere else on the planet except Sulawesi.
“It is yet wonderfully rich in peculiar forms…many of which are unique upon the Earth.” – (A.R. Wallace, 1869)
The Nantu Forest is one of Sulawesi’s few remaining intact pristine rainforests.
Nantu supports crucial populations of Sulawesi’s remarkable biodiversity on an international scale. This includes species like the Lowland and Mountain Anoas, Babirusa, Heck’s Macaque, Jatna’s Tarsier, and a rich avian diversity of over 100 species, more than 35 of which are endemic. Notable examples include the Red-knobbed Hornbill and Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill. Additionally, the newly described Fanged Frog and millions of other species, yet to be thoroughly studied, can be found in this region.
A Unique Ecosystem
Sulawesi lies at the heart of the bio-geographic region known as Wallacea. This is the transitional zone between the Asian and Australasian faunas, first identified by explorer Alfred Russel Wallace, contemporary of Charles Darwin. Wallacea is neither entirely Asian nor Australasian, nor is it simply a mixture of the two but rather it contains many creatures which are not found in either Asia or Australia. This means protecting these species and their natural habitats is of the very highest priority, given most are found nowhere else on the planet except Sulawesi.
“It is yet wonderfully rich in peculiar forms…many of which are unique upon the Earth.” – (A.R. Wallace, 1869)
The Nantu Forest is one of Sulawesi’s few remaining intact pristine rainforests.
Nantu supports crucial populations of Sulawesi’s remarkable biodiversity on an international scale. This includes species like the Lowland and Mountain Anoas, Babirusa, Heck’s Macaque, Jatna’s Tarsier, and a rich avian diversity of over 100 species, more than 35 of which are endemic. Notable examples include the Red-knobbed Hornbill and Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill. Additionally, the newly described Fanged Frog and millions of other species, yet to be thoroughly studied, can be found in this region.
Protecting the Forest 🌿
YANI works in partnership with appropriate government authorities to protect the Nantu Wildlife Sanctuary and B.J. Habibie Conservation Forest by implementing continuous forest protection patrols with 24/7 patrol presence in the field.
Building Awareness 📚
YANI focuses on facilitating field learning residential visits at Nantu by diverse stakeholders, from local school-children and their teachers to local civil society groups and undergraduates.
Science and Discovery 🔎
Much of Nantu’s rich biodiversity remains undiscovered and little documented. YANI has worked with national experts and research institutions over three decades, who have discovered many magnificent species.
Community Support 🤲🏽
YANI supports the livelihoods of over 16,000 people in the villages surrounding the Nantu Wildlife Sanctuary, promoting sustainable food production and supporting education for primary and secondary schools.
photo: Michel Gunther