SwaraOwa Achieves Wildlife Friendly™ Certification, Pioneering Sustainable Conservation Efforts in Indonesia

SwaraOwa, a community-based organization dedicated to the conservation of endangered wildlife and sustainable livelihoods, has marked a new step in its journey as it officially receives Wildlife Friendly certification. Achieving this certification recognizes SwaraOwa’s dedication to conserving Indonesia’s critically endangered Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and other native species through sustainable agroforestry practices, transforming local economies while safeguarding biodiversity.

Sustainable Products for Conservation

An achievement embodying SwaraOwa’s Wildlife Friendly certification is its initiative to integrate biodiversity monitoring and protection practices within its coffee production, enabling it to record an increase in the Javan gibbon population at their Central Java field site since 2012. The Founder and Director, Arif Setiawan highlights that “by promoting agroforestry, SwaraOwa encourages coexistence between coffee farmers and the wildlife that surrounds them”, providing a high-quality product for conscious consumers globally.

Wildlife conservation efforts are also maintained outside of the coffee realm, as SwaraOwa has also managed to transform loggers into active conservation stakeholders. Their beekeeping initiatives further diversify Wildlife Friendly production practices in the region.

Sustainable Products for Conservation

“SwaraOwa’s Wildlife Friendly™ certification showcases the resilience and adaptability of local communities transitioning from harmful practices to conservation-based livelihoods” explains Christine Lippai, Executive Director at WFEN. In addition to exporting coffee, the organization actively monitors biodiversity in collaboration with local communities. Notable efforts include recording over 131 bird species, including several that are globally threatened, in recent surveys, as well as organizing 14 bird and primate tours to encourage conservation education and boost local economies. Now available through online retailers in the United Kingdom, SwaraOwa’s certified coffee not only empowers local women but also plays a vital role in gibbon conservation.

A Model for Global Conservation

SwaraOwa’s success in fostering conservation-driven agroforestry reflects a larger movement towards community-driven conservation efforts. Their initiatives harmonize economic growth with ecological preservation, setting an example of how sustainable enterprise can support endangered species like the Javan gibbon and result in lasting environmental stewardship.

About SwaraOwa

Founded in 2012, SwaraOwa is a conservation-driven organization based in Java, Indonesia, focused on protecting endangered wildlife through research, community engagement, and sustainable product development. Its Wildlife Friendly®️ initiatives directly support the conservation of the Javan gibbon and slow loris, while empowering local communities with sustainable agricultural practices.

About Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN)

WFEN is a global community dedicated to the protection of wildlife in wild places and on agricultural lands, promoting sustainable livelihoods through the certification of products and services that adhere to the highest standards of wildlife stewardship and habitat conservation. Our Wildlife Friendly® certification programs ensure that consumers can make informed choices that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.