In Cambodia’s floating village of Prek Toal, life follows the rhythm of Tonle Sap Lake. Each year, monsoon rains swell the lake and flood the surrounding forests. These waters provide vital habitats for fish and threatened waterbirds. They also support the livelihoods and food security of approximately six million Cambodians, according to UNESCO. Yet the ecosystem faces growing pressure from overfishing, habitat loss and changes to its natural water cycle.
For families living in Prek Toal, conservation is inseparable from the need to earn a living. That understanding is at the heart of Osmose. For more than 25 years, the organization has connected environmental protection with economic opportunities for communities living on the lake.
Through small-group ecotourism experiences, Osmose invites visitors beyond the temples of Siem Reap to discover Tonle Sap’s flooded forest and floating villages. Local guides and boat operators share their knowledge of the lake. Community cooks welcome guests with traditional Cambodian meals, while artisans demonstrate their craft. These experiences create income for local families and help fund environmental education for children growing up on Tonle Sap.
The Osmose Origin Story
In late 1997, after several years living in Cambodia, Frédéric Goes and Nathalie Nivot moved to Siem Reap. A local boatman named Mr. Bo introduced them to Prek Toal’s flooded forest, its remarkable birdlife and the floating communities whose lives followed the lake’s seasonal rhythms.
Their visits revealed both the ecological importance of Prek Toal and the challenges facing families who relied on its natural resources. Together with local residents, they began exploring ways to connect conservation with economic opportunity. Those early efforts grew into Osmose, an organization built around the idea that the lake’s communities should benefit from and play an active role in protecting their environment.
Osmose began offering experimental ecotourism visits in 1999 and introduced environmental education classes the following year. Frédéric also worked on the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary Conservation Program. This work helped establish a ranger team that included former bird collectors who became protectors of the nesting colonies.
Over time, Osmose expanded its approach to include village development and traditional crafts. By building on local knowledge and creating new sources of income, the organization helped connect the protection of Prek Toal’s wildlife with the well-being of its communities.
How Osmose Is Making A Positive Impact
Osmose connects the protection of Tonle Sap Lake with economic opportunities for approximately 70 local families. Through its ecotourism experiences, guides, boat operators, cooks and homestay hosts earn income by sharing their knowledge and hospitality. A community-based ecotourism group also enables villagers to provide services independently of Osmose. Revenue from these experiences helps fund the organization’s conservation and environmental education work.
This connection between livelihoods and conservation is especially important in the Prek Toal bird sanctuary. Its flooded forest provides a breeding habitat for threatened waterbirds, including the Spot-billed Pelican and Milky Stork. Conservation efforts have brought former bird collectors into the protection of nesting sites, while Osmose’s certified guides work with rangers to ensure visits respect sensitive breeding areas.
Osmose also supports Saray, a community weaving initiative that transforms invasive water hyacinth into handcrafted products. The work provides an additional source of income for women, including heads of households. Meanwhile, its environmental education program reaches approximately 1,000 children across three schools. Local educators combine classroom lessons with outdoor activities to help the next generation understand and care for the lake.
Together, these efforts create a model in which local livelihoods, environmental education and conservation reinforce one another.
Why the UnTours Foundation Invested in Osmose
The UnTours Foundation invested in Osmose through the Reset Tourism Fund, alongside our partner TUI Care Foundation, to support an organization that connects community well-being with the protection of one of Southeast Asia’s most important freshwater ecosystems.
Osmose demonstrates what tourism can make possible when local people play a meaningful role in shaping and delivering the visitor experience. Its tours create income for families in Prek Toal while helping fund environmental education for children growing up on the lake. This approach closely aligns with the Reset Tourism Fund’s commitment to community-based tourism and environmental stewardship.
Our investment supports Osmose in expanding its community-based ecotourism activities and connecting with more responsible travelers. Increased tourism income will help sustain its conservation and environmental education programs while supporting its ambition to reach additional floating villages around Tonle Sap Lake.
How You Can Support Osmose
If you’re visiting Cambodia, consider experiencing Tonle Sap Lake with Osmose. Its half-day and full-day tours introduce visitors to Prek Toal’s floating village. Overnight experiences offer a deeper opportunity to connect with community life. Depending on your itinerary, you can enjoy a locally prepared meal, meet Saray weavers, and explore the bird sanctuary with a certified guide.
You can also support local artisans by purchasing handmade water-hyacinth products or introducing Osmose to travelers and tourism partners who value community-led experiences.
