PEOPLE in Ryedale are being offered the chance to contribute towards conservation efforts in Borneo.

Denise Arksey, a veterinary nurse originally from Rillington, and her husband Hajat run the Borneo Conservation Orangutan Programme, which involves the planting of different trees to provide food for wildlife and replace their disappearing habitat.

To mark the 10th anniversary of building their tree houses, visitors are being offered the chance to go to Borneo experience life in the rainforest for a month-long programme costing £2,000.

Denise said: “We are very excited about the new programme, which will be starting in April 2020.

“A large majority of travellers no longer want to just visit a destination; they want to contribute their time and get involved in community and wildlife conservation projects to make a difference.

“We worked very closely with the local native Iban community in the initial construction of the tree house, and employing them as our hosts, porters, cooks and trekkers when we have overseas visitors staying at the tree house.

“This has changed their concept of the jungle; they no longer want to destroy the forest or hunt the wildlife because they can now see the value of preserving them through the eyes of our overseas visitors.”

Through the Borneo Conservation Orangutan Programme, the couple hope to enhance the relationship between humans and nature, especially orangutans.

Many orangutans were crossing the border from Indonesia due to the number of palm oil plantations where farmers were less tolerant of the animals.

Orangutans fall victim to the illegal pet trade with the mothers shot and the babies taken away to be sold.

Denis added: “With time running out for the orangutans, we have to make more of an impact in the next 10 years than in the last 10 years.

“To carry out these projects, we need manpower and money, and that is where we hope you can get involved.

“We are on the look out for skilled or unskilled volunteers who would like to spend a month deep in the Borneo jungle working with the local people on these projects.

“Humans and nature are not separate; we must help them to find a way to share their forest home.”

The programme price includes accommodation, all activities and meals, but not the flights. For more information, email dajatjohar@gmail.com