Campaign group plans to restore area of Indonesian forest the size of Jersey

Back of mans head on boat on a river or lake in Indonesia with a size of jersey t shirt on - all in shot.
'The Size of Jersey' campaign group says it has been set up to "take action to protect our natural world". Credit: The Size of Jersey

A local campaign group has teamed up with an Indonesian NGO to restore a forest the same size as Jersey in Northern Sumatra.

'The Size of Jersey' campaign group says it has been set up to "take action to protect our natural world".

More than 11,600 hectares of land within the Leuser Ecosystem is home to four palm oil farms.

Map showing the location of the proposed restoration sites in relation to Indonesia and Sumatra. Credit: The Size of Jersey Project

The group aims to restore the land to its natural habitat, and in doing so, help Jersey become carbon neutral by 2030.

The Size of Jersey's campaign manager, Jonathan Stark, was the senior gorilla and orangutan keeper at Jersey Zoo for 10 years.

Jonathan Stark worked at Jersey Zoo for 10 years. Credit: The Size of Jersey

During his time at Jersey Zoo, Jonathan visited many conservation projects, including trips to Sumatra where he learnt about the work of the Indonesian NGO, Forum Konservasi Leuser.

Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) is a grass-roots NGO that "strives to protect the Leuser Ecosystem and its biodiversity". Credit: The Size of Jersey

Forum Konservasi Leuser was established in 2012 and has 26 Wildlife Protection Teams, dedicated Elephant Patrol Teams, Community Patrol Teams and 12 Mobile Monitoring Units - which investigate forest and wildlife crimes.

Credit: The Size of Jersey

The organisation employs over 250 staff and more than 30 volunteers.