Located just a few hours from Singapore, the Bawah Anambas Foundation, which is part of the Bawah Reserve, focuses its conservation efforts on the whole Anambas Archipelago. This region, which is part of the Coral Triangle, includes more than 250 islands across seven sub-districts with 45,000 inhabitants. Eighty percent of the locals living in this area rely on the ocean for their livelihood, which consists of an average income equivalent to USD 150–350 per month per household.

The Anambas has outstanding marine biodiversity, some say 10 times more diverse than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It has tremendous potential as an eco-marine tourism destination. Reefs are easily accessible with typically clear, warm, and sheltered waters providing ideal snorkelling and scuba diving options.

“When we built Bawah Reserve, it was very important that we follow a sustainable operational plan and give back to the local community, the land and the sea,” says Tim Hartnoll, owner of Bawah Reserve. In April 2018, a few months after Bawah Reserve first opened its doors, the Bawah Anambas Foundation was established to rehabilitate and conserve the bio-diversity of marine and terrestrial life around the island of Bawah and the larger Anambas Archipelago, as well as help boost the local community welfare.

The foundation encourages the locals to reduce their reliance on the ocean by teaching them organic farming and providing them with free English lessons through digital media. The programme also consists of educating the locals on waste disposal management, so that they stop polluting the sea.

Rodial Hudha, a native Anambas who used to work as a kitchen staff in Bawah Reserve and is currently a Programme Assistant of the Bawah Anambas Foundation shares, “I grew up in Kiabu. Back then, I thought fishing by throwing dynamite off a jetty, dumping rubbish into the ocean or onto the street, building new roads by clearing up mangrove forests, and building houses without septic tanks were all normal. Little did I know that all those actions could damage the fragile environment we live in."

“From day one, our plans have been created with sustainability and the environment in mind,” says Hartnoll. Curiosity brought him sailing to Bawah Island many years ago and the beauty of the area captivated him. When the opportunity came to develop Bawah into a resort, he swore he would preserve it and keep it as pure and beautiful as it was the very first time he set eyes on it.

Jerry Winata, the Head of the Bawah Anambas Foundation says "you can’t talk about conservation to hungry people". Based on findings during his stay in a few of the villages around Anambas, he has identified a series of programmes and activities to assist and complement what has already been initiated by the local government.

The projects include: coral and turtle conservation; reforestation; organic farming; digital English club; and solid waste management. These programmes are to be implemented in the villages of Talaga, Kiabu, and Mengkait, which are the poorest and farthest from Tarempa, the capital of the Anambas Islands. Those aforementioned projects are critical to ensure the improvement and protection of the ecosystem in the area. 
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​The marine and forest conservation programmes are to restore coral and forest conditions, while securing the availability of fish for the fishermen to catch sustainably. The organic farming programme is to provide new crop alternatives that are climate change resilient and good for the livelihood of the locals. English lessons will give many new opportunities to work in the tourism sector. Solid waste management, which is extremely urgent to put into action, will not only keep the ocean and the villages clean, but will also change the locals’ habit of littering and damaging the environment. If managed properly, Winata believes it won't be long before Anambas becomes one of Indonesia’s major eco-friendly tourism attractions.

To contact the Bawah Anambas Foundation please email them at this address: connect@bawahanambas.org
Check out their website: www.bawahanambas.org
Connect with them on Instagram: @bawahanambasfoundation

16 March 2019, Singapore

The world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment
returns to Singapore with an electrifying festival of music, food and culture. Earth Hour 2019 will bring together communities for environmental change, by highlighting the impact of individual actions
on nature.

Organised by one of HER Planet Earth's Charity Partners, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the three-day festival features nature-themed experiences that highlight the rapid loss of nature and its impact. Through workshops and activities, Earth Hour aims to reach thousands in Singapore to be conscious citizens that make sustainable choices on a daily basis.

The highlight of the festival is a countdown concert on 30 March. Featuring some of Singapore’s biggest local and international acts, the concert will count down to the symbolic Earth Hour lights out that takes place in 180 countries and territories around the globe.

​Driving home the sustainability message, Earth Hour will be carbon neutral, zero waste and feature sustainable solutions for large-scale events. These solutions include eliminating disposables, the use of reusable containers and bags, and a physical set up created from recycled wooden pallets that can be dismantled and reused.

EVENT DETAILS:
Dates: 29 - 31 March 2019 (Fri - Sun)
Time: 5pm - 10pm (Fri), 10am - 10pm (Sat & Sun)
Location: Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza
Tickets: Free admission (excludes workshops and classes)
Website: wwf.sg/earthhour.
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PROGRAMME OVERVIEW:
• Friday, March 29 (5-10pm): An evening of chill and easy vibes featuring local artists, sustainable workshops and more
• Saturday, March 30 (10am-10pm): Kickstart your weekend with our Earth Hour Concert and countdown to lights out at 8.30pm
• Sunday, March 31 (10am-10pm): A day of family-friendly activities for parents and children Earth Hour 2019 is supported by the following partners: Buro, Collective Minds, ES Power, Kiss92 FM, FitSphere, LIDL Singapore, Love Nature, Marina Bay Sands, Samsonite, Sky Premium, Starhub, Takashimaya, The Fashion Pulpit, Wing Tai Retail and XCEL & Triple Eyelid.

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is WWF's global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become the world's largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in more than 180 countries and territories to take tangible climate action for over a decade. More recently, Earth Hour has focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations on why nature matters. The movement recognizes the role of individuals in creating solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and harnesses the collective power of its millions of supporters to build a sustainable future for all.
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About WWF-Singapore
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Singapore helps protect Singapore’s essential needs through the actions of individuals, businesses and governments in the region. To meet key conservation goals, we address issues such as deforestation, haze pollution, food security, sustainable consumption and illegal wildlife trade. wwf.sg

Friday 8 March 2019 (International Women’s Day) 

Today, on International Women’s Day, Christine Amour-Levar, Founder of Her Planet Earth and Lucy Bennett-Baggs, Founder of Just Challenge, announced that together they would lead an expedition to Iceland, bringing inspirational women together from around the world to drive change and empower women globally.
 
Just Challenge & Her Planet Earth invite women from any background, industry and country to join ‘Challenge Iceland 2019’, trekking over 75km through spectacular Icelandic terrain to raise crucial funds for UN Women’s programmes that empower and support underprivileged women affected by climate change.
 
Lucy Bennett-Baggs, Founder of Just Challenge, says “We are really excited to have partnered with Her Planet Earth on Challenge Iceland 2019. This is the first ‘women only’ challenge we have launched and we are incredibly proud to be leading an experience that truly promotes gender equality in today’s increasingly pressurised world. This is a once in a life time opportunity that not only develops the women that take part, but also raises funds for those much less fortunate than ourselves”.

​Christine Amour-Levar, Founder of Her Planet Earth, states “While climate change is a global phenomenon, its impact is not spread across a level playing field. Its effects are felt locally, and poor people suffer the most. Among the world’s 1.3 billion people living in poverty, the majority are women. I am thrilled to partner with Just Challenge on this incredible adventure to one of the most scenic places on earth. Together we will rally a group of dedicated women to raise valuable funds for underprivileged women, ultimately helping them transform their livelihoods so that they can become more resilient to climate change.”
 
Team Profiles
The team of this HER Planet Earth Iceland 2019 Expedition is formed by 12 intrepid women of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. While they are all incredibly well accomplished in their careers, they are equally passionate about protecting the environment and empowering underprivileged women. To read the team bios please click here.
 
Join their mission and advance the cause of gender equality. Apply for one of the limited places today: www.just-challenge.com/iceland2019
 
For interview requests with Lucy Bennett-Baggs or Christine Amour-Levar – please email lucy@just-challenge.com or christine@herplanetearth.com
 
Just Challenge - Just Challenge delivers life changing adventures, for all abilities, with impact and meaning. They provide companies with the opportunities to engage employees, clients and/or leaders through physical challenges. They believe those that contribute to society and nurture their people will be the ones to prosper. Just Challenge designs and delivers bespoke experiences focusing on four pillars; employee engagement, corporate social responsibility, client relationships and leadership development.
 
Her Planet Earth - HER Planet Earth is a global women’s advocacy movement that promotes a deeper connection between women empowerment and the integrity of the environment. The non-profit organisation, which is headquartered in Singapore, aims to inspire more women to become policymakers and agents of change to achieve social and economic equity and a healthy and thriving planet.

To donate to the mission please visit the team’s fundraising page here.