Conservana Spices Awarded Wildlife Friendly® Certification for Non-Timber Forest Products in Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and one of 17 mega-diverse countries on the planet. The islands cover 200 million hectares and include a variety of wildlife species, many of which are regionally endemic. The lush tropical rainforests house extraordinary biodiversity including pangolins, hornbills, and wild cat species, and support the livelihoods of millions of people. However, the country’s biodiversity is at risk through unsustainable practices such as land conversion, illegal logging, and deforestation. Addressing this challenge, Conservana Spices is safeguarding Indonesia’s forests and uplifting forest-dependent communities in the West Bali National Forest landscape, championing sustainable Non-Timber Forest Production (NTFP).

“Conservana Spices is thrilled to attain the esteemed Wildlife Friendly® Certification, marking a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit to protect and restore the cultural, natural, and social abundance of Indonesia, particularly Bali. With the launch of our Certified Wildlife Friendly® products, we aim to exemplify the transformative power of businesses in cultivating a restorative economy while championing forest conservation. This prestigious certification not only validates our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices but also underscores our unwavering dedication to harmonizing commerce with environmental stewardship,” remarked Ketut Maliawan, CEO of Conservana Spices.

The company’s NTFPs, from the Bali forest, range from vanilla pods to coffee beans, and beeswax to essential oils derived from nutmeg, cardamom pods, ginger root, lemongrass, and patchouli leaves. Consumers can be assured that Wildlife Friendly® certification provides a guarantee that Conservana Spices’ products contribute to the conservation of key species such as the Marbled Cat, Sunda Pangolin, Wreathed Hornbill, and Horsfield’s Treeshrew.

“The Wildlife Friendly® certification process involves comprehensive assessments to ensure that wildlife conservation is one of the key considerations during the production and harvest of NTFPs” said Christine Lippai, Executive Director of WFEN. “Conservana Spices has demonstrated clearly how Wildlife Friendly® principles are embedded in its business, with a tangible win for forests, wildlife, and community livelihoods”.

Becoming a certified enterprise exemplifies how applying Wildlife Friendly® practices can yield positive outcomes for both people and the planet. Beyond promoting sustainable forest management, Conservana collaborates closely with local farmers and provides training on sustainable NTFP harvesting techniques and wildlife conservation practices. This holistic approach ensures that the forests and the communities dependent on them thrive in harmony.

About Bumi Lestari Conservana

Bumi Lestari Conservana is an enterprise that processes non-timber forest products from Indonesian conserved forests, such as vanilla pods, coffee beans, beeswax and essential oils sold under the brand name of Conservana Spices.

About WFEN

Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN) conserves endangered and threatened wildlife species and their habitats through biodiversity certification programs that also contribute to the economic vitality of rural communities. WFEN uses the power of the marketplace to create on-the-ground change by providing incentives for the protection of biodiversity and enabling the conservation of intact landscapes critical to the provision of ecosystem services.