Preguntas más frecuentes

Why are you called Friends of the National Parks Foundation?

We started our organization in 1997 when we were running the orangutan rehab and rescue center for the Indonesian Government in Tanjung Puting National Park, in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. So the name sounded right at the time.

We didn’t imagine that we would still be running the organization 14 years later, and that we would have multiple projects, some of which are outside of national parks. So for this reason, and because it more appropriately describes our holistic approach of combining wildlife, habitat and community programs we are also known as “Friends of Nature and its People Foundation“.

Can I volunteer with FNPF?

Yes, definitely. We welcome volunteers. Please see the Volunteer in Indonesia section of our website.

Can I receive a tax deduction when I donate to FNPF?

If you are based in Australia you can make a tax deductible donation to FNPF via our overseas partner, the Humane Society International (Australia). Details are on our Donate page. Please ensure you clearly state that the donation is for FNPF.

We are looking for partners who have tax deductible status in other countries to support FNPF in the same way. Please contact us if you can help.

Can I visit or volunteer at FNPF’s project sites?

Yes. We welcome eco-tourists and volunteers. Please check out our Eco Tours and Volunteering pages.

Why does it cost me money to volunteer with FNPF?

We aim to provide you with an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Through our short term volunteer program you get to work on a real conservation/community development project in an interesting location, with people from the local community. You will be provided with accommodation, guidance and assistance from our staff. You will have the opportunity to learn about the project, local culture and language … plus enjoy everything that the location offers.

In return, FNPF benefits from your enthusiasm and hands-on assistance. Your financial payment helps cover our costs and also contributes to funding our projects. Longer term volunteers with specialist skills, especially those interested in scientific research, can contact us to discuss alternative costs.

Can I do scientific research with FNPF?

Yes, you can do scientific research at our project sites to support our research programs. Areas of the most interest to us are:

  • biodiversity identification
  • improving agriculture practices
  • improving reforestation
  • post release monitoring and study of birds

Can FNPF help me get a visa to stay more than 30 days?

Yes, we can help those volunteering for us for more than 30 days to get a “social & cultural visa”. We will need your name (as per your passport), date and place of birth, passport number, address, home country, and your occupation.

NUSA PENIDA QUESTIONS

Do I need to book or can I just turn up?

If I want to stay at FNPF’s centre on Nusa Penida, please contact us in advance to make a booking. We have limited staff and accommodation at the centre, and the more notice you give us the more chance you have of staying.

How do I get from Bali to FNPF’s centre on Nusa Penida?

For full details of transport options to Nusa Penida can be found here.

  • Local public speedboats leave from Sanur and Padangbai about 7am. You must be there by 6.30am to buy a ticket.
  • Speedboats from Sanur, run by CASPLA, MARUTI or SEMAYA ONE, depart at various times from 8.30am.
  • A car and motorbike ferry from Padangbai, which usually departs at 11am and 1pm. These times change often, so you should contact ASDP (River & Ocean Transportation Department) on +62 363 41849 to confirm the ferry schedule. We strongly recommend you book your ticket in advance through a local travel agent to secure a place. And you must be at the harbour at least 1 hour before the ferry departs.

We can help you buy CASPLA, MARUTI, or SEMAYA ONE tickets at a reduced FNPF volunteer price.

If you contact us in advance we will try to arrange for someone to meet you when you arrive at Nusa Penida. If not, just catch a taxi (car or motorbike) and ask for “Yayasan Burung di Banjar Bodong”.

From Nusa Penida harbour to FNPF:

  • By car Rp.100.000 per car that enough for 8 person
  • By motorbike taxi Rp 50.000 per motorbike for one person only

What transport can I use to travel around Nusa Penida island?

We recommend you travel around the island and see the villages, wildlife and interesting landscape. The island is large (about 15km by 15km), with mountains and extremely sheer cliffs on the south side, so you will need a car or motorbike to sightsee.

Car and motorbike rental is more costly on Nusa Penida than in Bali. Car hire is approx $50 per day, compared to $20 per day in Bali. While motorbike hire is approx $10 per day, compared $6 per day in Bali.

An alternative is to hire a vehicle in Bali and bring it to Nusa Penida on the car ferry that departs daily from Padangbai. If you want to do this you should book a space on the ferry in advance. Contact ASDP (River & Ocean Transportation Department) on +62 363 41849.

We do have a few bicycles for volunteers to use to travel locally.

What should I bring to Nusa Penida?

FOR YOURSELF:

  • Indonesian Rupiah cash. There is one ATM on Nusa Penida (BRI bank), but it is often not working, does NOT accept VISA and many other ATM cards, and maximum cash withdrawl is Rp 500,000 (approx US$50). So we recommend you BRING CASH.
  • Photocopy of your passport. The police require all visitors to provide a photocopy of the passport details page and their Indonesian visa. You will need to fill-in a guest form on arrival at the FNPF centre and provide us with a photocopy of your passport.
  • Light clothing, flip-flops, a pair of lightweight walking shoes (eg. trainers), swimming trunks (and snorkel & mask if you like to see coral), basic medical/hygiene supplies (mosquito spray, plasters, aspirin, soap, etc), and a camera. Also, bring an International Driving Licence. This will allow you to drive (rent motorcycle or car) and reduce the chances of being fined if you are stopped by police (this is extremely unlikely on Nusa Penida, but more likely on Bali). Best to bring a small rucksack to Nusa Penida. If you have lots of luggage, it is probably easier  if you leave most of it in Bali at a hotel or our head office in Ubud.

DONATIONS to FNPF to support our projects on Nusa Penida:

  • Seeds for our organic garden
  • Pens, crayons, painting materials, writing/drawing books. Anything that can be used for teaching children
  • Musical instruments (harmonicas, guitars, drums, etc)
  • Footballs/volleyballs for kids to play with
  • Clothes for children and adults (used/new)
  • If you have an old laptop that you don’t need, and are willing to donate, we would love have it. Laptops can be charged and run off a battery. Desktop PCs are no use on Nusa Penida because the variability of electricity causes them to quickly burn out
  • Leather gardening gloves
  • Binoculars
  • A world globe, to teach geography in the local school
  • Soil testing equipment
  • Weather station equipment
  • Feel free to contact us and suggest anything else that you think might be of use. Most things you think might be useful probably will be.

Construction projects for groups of Volunteers in Nusa Penida

-       Improve our road access by putting a concrete block, every m2 road will cost about USD 20 that will cover the cost to purchase cement, sand, stone, rod iron. The minimum size  to make us able to finish the supplies of one small truck cement and stones of 10 m2.

-       Build a proper terraces to make the land at our center become a better place to do organic farming and more convenience to walk on as it is now very sloppy. Every m terrace will cost USD 7 and the minimum length is 30 m.

For these project you can participate to do it or let our local staff and labor to do it. In return you can put your signature on any of the construction that you sponsor partially or the whole minimum size.

What is the weather like in Penida Island?

Even though Penida island is considered as a part of Bali, this island have so much lesser rainfall compare to Bali. It is hot and humid because of very small percent forest coverage and it is a small island in the middle of big ocean.

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Below is a general description of typical weather for each month. But with climate change, the seasons are no longer so predictable.

January

Very hard rain, good for planting, less birds can be observed, few tourists, school closed until the second week of the month.

February

Sometime still Very hard rain, still reasonably  good for planting, less birds can be observed, few tourists, school open.

March

Still have some rain, not good anymore for planting, less birds can be observed, few tourists, school open.

April

Less rain compare to March, not good for planting, more birds can be observe, few tourists, school open.

May

End of rainy season, not good to do planting, more birds animals can be observed, few tourists, school open.

June

The dry season start on this month , not possible to do planting, more birds can be observed, start to tourist season, school closed at the end of the month for their semester holiday.

July

Dry season, peak tourist season, not possible to plant many more birds can be observed, hot and humid during the day time but reasonably cold at night until before sunrise, school open.

August

Dry season, peak tourist season, not possible to plant many more birds can be observed, hot and humid during the day, school open

September

Peak dry season,not possible to plant many more birds can be observed, very hot and humid during the day, school open.

October

Start of rainy season, possible to do tree planting at the end of the month to ensure we have stable rainfall, less birds can be observed, not so hot, school open.

November

More frequent rain, good for planting, less birds can be observed, few tourists, school open.

December

Hard rain More frequent rain, good for planting, less birds can be observed, school open.

Please note that some of the holidays in Bali is not in accordance of Christian callender so we can not put it as a regular [a1] event. You can check with us if you would like to work with the school before you decide to come and help us.

BORNEO QUESTIONS

Do I need to book or can I just turn up?

If I want to stay at FNPF’s centre on Borneo, please contact us in advance to make a booking. We have limited staff and accommodation at the centre, and the more notice you give us the more chance you have of staying. Due to logistic complication, the minimum stay in Borneo is 1 week

How do I get to FNPF’s centre on borneo?

You can go by plane to Iskandar airport at Pangkalan Bun from Java island (Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya) or from other airport in Borneo (Banjarmasin, Sampit, Ketapang), When you have time you can go by boat from some seaport in Java such as Surabaya and Semarang. If you already in Borneo island, land transport by bus also possible to the main town Pangkalan Bun. FNPF staff will pick you up either at the airport, seaport or buss station that included in the volunteering cost except to Lamandau with extra cost.

What should I bring to Borneo?

FOR YOURSELF:

  • Indonesian Rupiah cash. There are severak ATMs in the town near our office but nothing on the field work area.it is often not working, Food, transportation cost are provided as long as you are staying at your field working area. So we recommend you BRING CASH if you want to get something more than we can provided such as if you go to the town to take a break or explore the area.
  • Photocopy of your passport. The police require all visitors to provide a photocopy of the passport details page and their Indonesian visa. You will need to fill-in a guest form on arrival at the FNPF centre and provide us with a photocopy of your passport.
  • Light clothing, flip-flops, a pair of lightweight walking shoes (eg. trainers), good hand glove for farming, wide hat, good sun glasses , basic medical/hygiene supplies (mosquito spray, plasters, aspirin, soap, etc), and a camera. Also, bring an International Driving Licence if you would like to explore the area by your self. This will allow you to drive (rent motorcycle or car) and reduce the chances of being fined if you are stopped by police. Best to bring a small rucksack to Bornro. If you have lots of luggage, it is probably easier  if you leave most of it in our branch office in Kumai.

DONATIONS to FNPF to support our projects on Borneo:

  • Seeds for our organic garden (please note that the species must be able to adapt with acid soil).
  • Pens, crayons, painting materials, writing/drawing books. Anything that can be used for teaching children
  • Musical instruments (harmonicas, guitars, drums, etc)
  • Footballs/volleyballs for kids to play with
  • Clothes for children and adults (used/new)
  • If you have an old laptop that you don’t need, and are willing to donate, we would love have it. Laptops can be charged and run off a battery. Desktop PCs are no use on our working area because the variability of electricity causes them to quickly burn out
  • Leather gardening gloves
  • Binoculars
  • A world globe, to teach geography in the local school
  • Soil testing equipment
  • Weather station equipment
  • 140Mhz walkie-talkie radio equipment
  • Feel free to contact us and suggest anything else that you think might be of use. Most things you think might be useful probably will be.

Construction projects for groups of Volunteers in Borneo

Below is a list of specific construction projects where we look to groups of volunteers to fund and build. For example, a group of university / school students would raise money prior to purchase the materials, and then participate in the construction.

Jerumbun volunteer center

Build 2 x 2 m timber platform, 1.5m height.

Cost for materials: approx. US$150 / unit

Construction time: approx. 1 – 2 days by 2 persons

10 units

Simple house

for local staff / volunteer with size room 4x 4 m and 2×4 m veranda.

Cost for materials per unit: approx. US$ 2,000

Construction time per unit: approx. 7 days by 4 persons

Target number of units: 4

Boat jetty and walk board

Jetty approx. 2m x 4m

Walk board from the jetty to the land across the swamp, approx. 400m

Cost for materials: approx. US$65.000

Construction time: approx. 1 week by 15 persons

Storage room

4 x 4 m

Cost for materials: approx. US$1,500

Construction time: approx. 4 days by 4 persons

Wooden canoe

Big enough for 3 persons

Cost for materials per unit: approx. US$ 100

Construction time per unit: approx. 4 days by 3 persons

Target number of units: 10

Beguruh reforestation post

Platform

Build 2 x 2 m timber platform, 1.5m height.

Cost for materials per unit: approx. US$ 150 / unit

Construction time per unit: approx. 1 – 2 days by 2 persons

Target number of units: 10

Toilet and septic tank

Cost for materials per unit: approx. US$400

Construction time per unit: approx. 3 days by 4 persons

Target number of units: 2

Shower room

Cost for materials: approx. US$200

Construction time: approx. 3 days by 2 persons

Padang Sembilan reforestation site

Toilet and septic tank

Cost for materials per unit: approx. US$ 400

Construction time per unit: approx. 3 days by 4 persons

Target number of units: 2

Shower room

Cost for materials: approx. US$ 200

Construction time: approx. 3 days by 2 persons

For these project you can participate to do it or let our local staff and labor to do it. In return you can put your signature on any of the construction that you sponsor partially or the whole project.


What is the weather like in Borneo ?

Kalimantan is tropical equatorial climate. It is hot and humid.

Below is a general description of typical weather for each month. But with climate change, the seasons are no longer so predictable.

January

Very hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, few tourists, school closed until the second week of the month.

February

Very hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, few tourists, school open.

March

Hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, few tourists, school open.

April

Hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animal can be observe, few tourists, school open.

May

End of rainy season, still possible to do planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, few tourists, school closed if entering the Ramadhan month (fasting time for Muslims).

June

Transition of rainy to dry season, not possible to do planting on dry land but possible on wet land, more animals can be observed, start to tourist season, school closed if entering the Ramadhan month (fasting time for Muslims).

July

Start of dry season, peak tourist season, not possible to plant on dry land but good on wet land, many more animals can be observed, hot and humid, school open.

August

Dry season, peak tourist season, not possible to plant on dry land but good on wet land, many more animals can be observed, hot and humid, school open

September

Peak dry season, greatest chance of forest fire as some farmers prepare land for farming by fire clearnannce. Not possible to plant on dry land but good on wet land, many more animals can be observed, very hot and humid, school open.

October

Start of rainy season, best time to do tree planting on dry land and still possible on wet land, not possible to plant on dry land but good on wet land, less animals can be observed, not so hot, school open.

November

Very hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, few tourists, school open.

December

Very hard rain, good for planting on dry land, less animals can be observed, some tourists, school closed for Christmas and New year.


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