ZUS, Ape to plant 5,000 trees

Daily Express

21-05-2025

Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 Text Size: ZUS Coffee and Ape teams at Kg Sukau, marking the beginning of their collaboration. Kuala Lumpur: ZUS Coffee has launched a major reforestation initiative in Sabah's Kinabatangan region by planting 500 native trees in Kampung Sukau, as part of its larger pledge to plant 5,000 trees in collaboration with conservation organisation Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE Malaysia). The initiative, titled 'Kopi to Kinabatangan Canopy,' marks a significant step in the homegrown coffee chain's commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment. The project aims to restore degraded forest corridors, support local biodiversity, and strengthen rural involvement in environmental conservation. ZUS Coffee Chief Operating Officer Venon Tian said the reforestation effort reflects the brand's wider responsibility to the environment. 'Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us; it's a responsibility. We know we can't solve the climate crisis alone, but we believe every step counts. This reforestation effort is our way of showing that doing good for the planet can be deeply rooted in who we are as a brand,' he said. The saplings comprising 22 native tree species which were cultivated from seeds and young plants by the residents of Kg Sukau, whose traditional knowledge played a vital role in the preparation and quality of the trees.
Advertisement APE Malaysia's nursery provided a nurturing environment for the saplings before they were transferred to the planting site. APE Malaysia Project Manager Mark Louis Benedict said the planting site was once a degraded logging area. However, it is now showing signs of ecological recovery. 'This reforestation site is an important wildlife habitat area. The trees we've planted today will support food chains, restore these once degraded habitats and gradually rebuild a thriving ecosystem. The early signs are very encouraging,' he said. Wildlife activity including orangutan nests and signs of elephant feeding has already been recorded near the site. This offers hope that the area is on the path to regeneration. The project has received overwhelming support from the ZUS community, with over 341,000 app users backing the pledge to support reforestation efforts. ZUS expressed its gratitude to APE Malaysia, the Kg Sukau villagers and all volunteers and users involved, stating that the initiative is a meaningful step in healing the environment and protecting biodiversity for future generations. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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