Protecting the Korbu Forest
KPARC: A Restoration Journey in the Central Forest Spine
The Korbu Perak Arboretum and Rainforest Centre (KPARC) is a targeted reforestation initiative within a much larger wilderness. Situated within Compartments 38 and 39 of the Hutan Simpan Korbu, this project focuses on a strategic part within the Central Forest Spine (CFS) megafauna ecosystem. While the project area represents a modest footprint, its impact stretches further.
Decades of logging have degraded this landscape. Through a strategic partnership between Jabatan Perhutanan Perak, the community of Jalong Tinggi, and Free Tree Society, we are focused on the active rehabilitation of this vital ecosystem. By restoring this high-priority site, KPARC provides a model for how we can heal and reconnect the broader rainforest ecosystem with a society that values conservation.
KPARC x Community x Conservation
Led by Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur, KPARC is built on three pillars of resilience: the triumvirate of land, biodiversity, and people.
This mission is powered by a multi-sector collaboration. We combine FTS’s technical plant expertise and environmental education with Jalong Tinggi’s local presence and the essential structural support of Jabatan Perhutanan Perak. This foundation is further strengthened by corporate partnerships, whose sponsorship provides the vital resources needed to scale our impact.
Together, we directly address the climate crisis and reverse biodiversity loss. This holistic approach ensures that ecological restoration goes hand-in-hand with community empowerment—transforming the local Orang Asli from residents of a degraded landscape into the primary stewards and beneficiaries of a thriving, protected forest ecosystem.
Land
Protection
We secure and manage strategically located forest land within the CFS landscape. FTS provides the scientific oversight needed to protect these areas from encroachment. Our methodology is proven; the arboretum currently boasts an 85% survival success rate, ensuring that every contribution translates into a lasting forest.
Ecological
Restoration
More than just planting; FTS manages the Arboretum as a living seed bank, ensuring that the trees reintroduced are genetically appropriate and endemic to this specific ecosystem.
Community Stewardship & Training
Central to the FTS mission is the belief that environmental work must be community-led. We establish socio-economic programs, such as certified training for eco-guides and the management of buy-back forest nurseries, to empower the indigenous people from the local community (IPLC). By building local capacity, FTS ensures the community has the skills and sustainable income to act as long-term conservationists.
Korbu Perak Arboretum and Rainforest Centre
The Arboretum - A Living Collection of Korbu Forest Flora
The Arboretum is a vital seed and germplasm stand, dedicated to preserving the genetic future of the Korbu Forest. By cultivating 102 endemic species, we are safeguarding the biodiversity of our local landscape.
Restoration at a Glance
To heal the scars left by selective logging in the 1970s and 90s, we have introduced 1,650 trees designed to rebuild the forest's natural architecture.
Rebuilding Layers:
We are re-establishing the missing emergent and sub-canopy layers to reinforce the fragmented canopy.
Supporting Wildlife:
These native species will eventually provide critical habitats and essential food sources, such as fruit, pollen, and nectar.
Genetic Security:
This site ensures that the unique botanical heritage of Korbu is preserved for future generations. KPARC serves as a critical sanctuary for 43 species currently featured on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered (VEC). With these high-priority trees comprising 50% of all species planted, the project acts as a living safeguard against extinction, securing the genetic diversity
The Rainforest Centre
Connecting Community to Conservation
A Space for Connection
The Rainforest Centre is a low-impact hub designed to bridge the gap between people and the planet. Purpose-built to support long-term ecological restoration, the Centre serves as a transformative space to inspire a deeper commitment to our natural world. This is where conservation meets collaboration, ensuring that both the forest and its surrounding communities thrive together.
This hub is designed to connect local voices with global environmental goals:
Learning & Growth:
Hosting specialized training programs to empower the next generation of forest guardians.
Open Discovery:
A welcoming base for visiting researchers to collaborate and deepen our collective understanding of tropical biodiversity.
Sustainable Engagement:
Connecting visitors to the wild through income-generating initiatives, such as guided eco-tours, which directly fund our restoration work.
Roadmap to Resilience
We have committed to a multi-decade journey of restoration.
Phase 1: Establishment
Timeline:
2022–2023
Focus:
FPIC (Community Consent), Baseline Biodiversity Studies
Status:
100% Completed
Phase 2: Core Goals
Timeline:
2023–2026
Focus:
Planting 1,650 trees over 5 ha, Hiring & Training of IPLC staff, Micro-Nurseries Project, Eco-Guide Certification programme
Status:
In Progress (90%+)
Phase 3: Social Forestry
Timeline:
2026–2041
Focus:
Scaling to 50+ hectares, Policy Protection, Eco-tourism, Scientific discovery
Status:
Planning
Our Commitment to Global Goals
By supporting KPARC, we are actively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 15: Life on Land
Call for Researchers
We aim for KPARC to be a hub for scientific excellence. We invite experts, students, and institutions specializing in Flora, Fauna, and Funga to conduct field research on-site. Help us document the biodiversity of the Korbu Forest and create a reference for future rehabilitation efforts across the Central Forest Spine.
Contact Amin Hamzah, Free Tree Society at amin@freetreesociety.org.
Get Involved: Support the Forest
This is a long-term project that requires collective action. Whether you are an individual or a corporation, you can make a tangible difference.
Tree Sponsorship:
Fund the planting and maintenance of native species.
Livelihood Projects:
Partnerships support knowledge sharing, capacity building and skills training that empower.
Corporate Sponsorship:
Align your ESG goals with a high-impact, long-term reforestation project.
For enquiries regarding Free Tree Society and the KPARC project, please reach out to Nordiyana Md Aini at nordiyana@freetreesociety.org.