Mangrove and peatland recovery in Riau Province
CertifiedYayasan Gambut is a community-based environmental organization working in Riau Province, Indonesia, focusing on peatland and mangrove restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. Our team consists of local practitioners, researchers, community facilitators, and young environmental leaders who work closely with farmer groups, women’s groups, youth, universities, and village institutions. We believe ecosystem restoration must be community-led and linked to long-term economic resilience. Our work combines peatland rewetting, mangrove rehabilitation, agroforestry, fire prevention, biodiversity protection, and community empowerment through sustainable livelihood initiatives such as Liberica coffee agroforestry and community nurseries. The people behind Yayasan Gambut come from diverse backgrounds in environmental management, agriculture, forestry, GIS, communication, and community development, united by a shared commitment to protecting Indonesia’s critical peatland
One Earth is an organization of climate strategists and storytellers that connects thinkers, doers, activists, and knowledge holders from around the world to solve humanity's greatest ecological challenges. By identifying and elevating the most effective climate and biodiversity solutions, One Earth is helping shape policy, guide investments, support grassroots organizations, and galvanize a global movement dedicated to regenerating our one Earth.
This project was selected as a RestorLife Awards finalist
Project story
In many villages across Riau Province, Indonesia, we have seen how peat fires, coastal erosion, and degraded mangroves directly affect local communities. During the dry season, smoke from peat fires impacts health and livelihoods, while damaged mangrove coastlines leave villages more vulnerable to waves and erosion. These experiences motivated Yayasan Gambut to work closely with communities to restore and protect the ecosystems they depend on every day.
Our project works in peatland and coastal landscapes that are globally important for biodiversity and carbon storage, but are increasingly threatened by drainage, land conversion, and climate change. Many local communities still rely on these ecosystems for farming, fisheries, and daily income.
Together with farmer groups, women’s groups, youth, universities, and village institutions, we implement community-led peatland and mangrove restoration. Our activities include canal blocking for peatland rewetting, mangrove planting, community nurseries, fire prevention systems, agroforestry with Liberica coffee, and restoration monitoring.
To date, we have planted more than 50,000 seedlings, constructed 11 canal blocks, installed community-based fire monitoring systems, and trained 635 local participants.
In the next year, we aim to strengthen ecosystem recovery while improving long-term community resilience. We hope restored mangroves will reduce erosion, rewetted peatlands will lower fire risk, and peat-friendly livelihoods will help communities protect these landscapes for future generations.
Project updates
Team
Mangrove and peatland recovery in Riau Province
Yayasan Gambut is a community-based environmental organization working in Riau Province, Indonesia, focusing on peatland and mangrove restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. Our team consists of local practitioners, researchers, community facilitators, and young environmental leaders who work closely with farmer groups, women’s groups, youth, universities, and village institutions. We believe ecosystem restoration must be community-led and linked to long-term economic resilience. Our work combines peatland rewetting, mangrove rehabilitation, agroforestry, fire prevention, biodiversity protection, and community empowerment through sustainable livelihood initiatives such as Liberica coffee agroforestry and community nurseries. The people behind Yayasan Gambut come from diverse backgrounds in environmental management, agriculture, forestry, GIS, communication, and community development, united by a shared commitment to protecting Indonesia’s critical peatland
One Earth is an organization of climate strategists and storytellers that connects thinkers, doers, activists, and knowledge holders from around the world to solve humanity's greatest ecological challenges. By identifying and elevating the most effective climate and biodiversity solutions, One Earth is helping shape policy, guide investments, support grassroots organizations, and galvanize a global movement dedicated to regenerating our one Earth.
This project was selected as a RestorLife Awards finalist
Project story
In many villages across Riau Province, Indonesia, we have seen how peat fires, coastal erosion, and degraded mangroves directly affect local communities. During the dry season, smoke from peat fires impacts health and livelihoods, while damaged mangrove coastlines leave villages more vulnerable to waves and erosion. These experiences motivated Yayasan Gambut to work closely with communities to restore and protect the ecosystems they depend on every day.
Our project works in peatland and coastal landscapes that are globally important for biodiversity and carbon storage, but are increasingly threatened by drainage, land conversion, and climate change. Many local communities still rely on these ecosystems for farming, fisheries, and daily income.
Together with farmer groups, women’s groups, youth, universities, and village institutions, we implement community-led peatland and mangrove restoration. Our activities include canal blocking for peatland rewetting, mangrove planting, community nurseries, fire prevention systems, agroforestry with Liberica coffee, and restoration monitoring.
To date, we have planted more than 50,000 seedlings, constructed 11 canal blocks, installed community-based fire monitoring systems, and trained 635 local participants.
In the next year, we aim to strengthen ecosystem recovery while improving long-term community resilience. We hope restored mangroves will reduce erosion, rewetted peatlands will lower fire risk, and peat-friendly livelihoods will help communities protect these landscapes for future generations.
Project updates
Team
Location
Indonesia
Round 3
Jul 1-21, 2026
Supporting community-led nature projects around the world.
Matching funds provided by
