[Press Release] Rimba Collective Expands to Philippines with Launch of New Project to Conserve 65,000 Hectares of Forest
23 Sep 2025 - Press Releases
Forest Area, Datal Long, Tboli. CultureLand Project, Rimba Collective, Mindanao island, Philippines
The Rimba Collective, an initiative by Lestari Capital, today announced the launch of CultureLand, its first project in the Philippines.
This project marks a major expansion for Rimba Collective beyond Indonesia, showcasing the ability of its community-led, long-term conservation model to scale and be replicated. Implemented by Keneco (Kennemer Eco Solutions), CultureLand will conserve 65,000 hectares of forest, restore degraded lands, and empower Indigenous communities in South Cotabato, Mindanao.
With this new project, the Rimba Collective – a pioneering 30-year partnership managed by Lestari Capital that channels corporate finance into measurable forest conservation and community development – continues to expand its impact. The Collective now protects over 310,000 hectares of forests under conservation and restoration across Southeast Asia, bringing long-term, community-led, and performance-based forest protection efforts to new geographies.
Delivering Climate and Biodiversity Impact
Over 25 years, CultureLand is expected to deliver 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ impact, combining avoided emissions and carbon removals. It will also safeguard crucial habitats for 29 threatened and critically endangered species, including the Philippine Eagle.
Empowering Indigenous and Local Communities
Nearly 60,000 households across 49 villages will benefit from sustainable livelihoods, improved education, healthcare, and clean water access. The project strengthens Indigenous governance systems, aligning conservation outcomes with local cultural stewardship.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
CultureLand overlaps with the Allah Valley Protected Landscape, enabling collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), reinforcing long-term land management and regulatory compliance.
A Trusted, On-the-Ground Implementation Partner
Keneco, part of the Kennemer Group, brings extensive experience in forest restoration, community engagement, and carbon project development. Its previous initiatives—such as MinFor and MinTrees—have been designed to deliver high-impact outcomes for climate, community, and biodiversity, with MinTrees achieving triple gold certification under the Verified Carbon Standard.
“With the signing of our first project in the Philippines, the Rimba Collective continues to expand its positive impact to some of the most critical landscapes on Earth”, said Michal Zrust, Founder and CEO of Lestari Capital. “This milestone underscores our commitment to delivering long-term conservation and restoration finance to projects, while providing the verifiable outcomes companies need to achieve their sustainability goals and drive lasting change for nature and communities.”
“At Keneco, we see CultureLand as a model for how conservation and community development can go hand in hand. By combining forest protection with sustainable livelihoods, microfinance access, and inclusive supply chains, we are creating solutions that are both locally rooted and globally relevant. Partnering with the Rimba Collective allows us to expand this work in South Cotabato, protecting one of Mindanao’s most important ecosystems in close collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This is how we deliver on our mission of protecting and restoring landscapes at scale—achieving lasting, measurable impact for both forests and communities" – Simon Bakker, CEO, Keneco
***
About the Rimba Collective
The Rimba Collective is a pioneering, 30-year conservation finance initiative that is transforming how companies invest in nature. Managed by Lestari Capital and supported by leading consumer goods companies, it connects corporate commodity sourcing to measurable ecosystem outcomes across Southeast Asia — including forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and community well-being. Through this model, the Collective aims to channel up to US$1 billion into forest conservation and restoration by 2050, safeguarding up to 1 million hectares of forests while creating long-term value for communities and businesses alike.
About the Rimba Collective | Rimba Collective
About KenEco
Kennemer Eco Solutions (Keneco) is a Davao-based carbon project developer and part of the Kennemer Group, a leading agribusiness company committed to sustainable agriculture. Keneco specializes in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement, with a proven track record of delivering triple gold-certified carbon projects under the Verified Carbon Standard. Its expertise ensures that local communities are empowered as custodians of forests while generating measurable climate and biodiversity outcomes.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Marion Daras-Carlier
Head of Communications, Lestari Capital [email protected]
This project marks a major expansion for Rimba Collective beyond Indonesia, showcasing the ability of its community-led, long-term conservation model to scale and be replicated. Implemented by Keneco (Kennemer Eco Solutions), CultureLand will conserve 65,000 hectares of forest, restore degraded lands, and empower Indigenous communities in South Cotabato, Mindanao.
With this new project, the Rimba Collective – a pioneering 30-year partnership managed by Lestari Capital that channels corporate finance into measurable forest conservation and community development – continues to expand its impact. The Collective now protects over 310,000 hectares of forests under conservation and restoration across Southeast Asia, bringing long-term, community-led, and performance-based forest protection efforts to new geographies.
Delivering Climate and Biodiversity Impact
Over 25 years, CultureLand is expected to deliver 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ impact, combining avoided emissions and carbon removals. It will also safeguard crucial habitats for 29 threatened and critically endangered species, including the Philippine Eagle.
Empowering Indigenous and Local Communities
Nearly 60,000 households across 49 villages will benefit from sustainable livelihoods, improved education, healthcare, and clean water access. The project strengthens Indigenous governance systems, aligning conservation outcomes with local cultural stewardship.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
CultureLand overlaps with the Allah Valley Protected Landscape, enabling collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), reinforcing long-term land management and regulatory compliance.
A Trusted, On-the-Ground Implementation Partner
Keneco, part of the Kennemer Group, brings extensive experience in forest restoration, community engagement, and carbon project development. Its previous initiatives—such as MinFor and MinTrees—have been designed to deliver high-impact outcomes for climate, community, and biodiversity, with MinTrees achieving triple gold certification under the Verified Carbon Standard.
“With the signing of our first project in the Philippines, the Rimba Collective continues to expand its positive impact to some of the most critical landscapes on Earth”, said Michal Zrust, Founder and CEO of Lestari Capital. “This milestone underscores our commitment to delivering long-term conservation and restoration finance to projects, while providing the verifiable outcomes companies need to achieve their sustainability goals and drive lasting change for nature and communities.”
“At Keneco, we see CultureLand as a model for how conservation and community development can go hand in hand. By combining forest protection with sustainable livelihoods, microfinance access, and inclusive supply chains, we are creating solutions that are both locally rooted and globally relevant. Partnering with the Rimba Collective allows us to expand this work in South Cotabato, protecting one of Mindanao’s most important ecosystems in close collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This is how we deliver on our mission of protecting and restoring landscapes at scale—achieving lasting, measurable impact for both forests and communities" – Simon Bakker, CEO, Keneco
***
About the Rimba Collective
The Rimba Collective is a pioneering, 30-year conservation finance initiative that is transforming how companies invest in nature. Managed by Lestari Capital and supported by leading consumer goods companies, it connects corporate commodity sourcing to measurable ecosystem outcomes across Southeast Asia — including forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and community well-being. Through this model, the Collective aims to channel up to US$1 billion into forest conservation and restoration by 2050, safeguarding up to 1 million hectares of forests while creating long-term value for communities and businesses alike.
About the Rimba Collective | Rimba Collective
About KenEco
Kennemer Eco Solutions (Keneco) is a Davao-based carbon project developer and part of the Kennemer Group, a leading agribusiness company committed to sustainable agriculture. Keneco specializes in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement, with a proven track record of delivering triple gold-certified carbon projects under the Verified Carbon Standard. Its expertise ensures that local communities are empowered as custodians of forests while generating measurable climate and biodiversity outcomes.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Marion Daras-Carlier
Head of Communications, Lestari Capital [email protected]
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