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Conservation begins with people. Protecting biodiversity requires more than scientific knowledge and effective management—it depends on communities that understand, value, and actively safeguard the wildlife living alongside them. At WRC Jogja, we believe conservation education is one of the most effective ways to nurture future conservation leaders while strengthening local stewardship of biodiversity.
From 3–5 July 2026, WRC Jogja partnered with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FVM UB), Gerakan Pramuka Saka Wanabakti (Scout Movement) of Kulon Progo, and Kelompok Tani Hutan (KTH) (Forest Farmer Group) Manunggal Karya to deliver the Urban Wildlife Conservation Education 2026 programme in Hargowilis, Kokap, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta.
The programme builds on a long-standing conservation education partnership between WRC Jogja and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, established in 2020. Since then, the collaboration has provided veterinary students with opportunities to apply their academic knowledge through conservation outreach while supporting our mission to increase public awareness of biodiversity conservation. This year, the students worked alongside our team to design and facilitate interactive learning sessions, translating scientific knowledge into engaging and accessible educational experiences.
Each partner brought complementary expertise to the programme. Saka Wanabakti Pramuka Kulon Progo served as the primary youth audience, recognizing Scouts as future conservation advocates within their schools and communities. Meanwhile, KTH Manunggal Karya contributed far more than a field site. As a community group managing an educational ecotourism area within the buffer zone of the Sermo Wildlife Reserve, KTH shared its local knowledge, conservation practices, and experience in community-based stewardship, transforming the surrounding forest into an open-air classroom where participants could connect conservation theory with real-world practice.
The field experience was further enriched by the conservation philosophy embraced by KTH Manunggal Karya. During the opening session, KTH Chair Ari Widiyanto introduced four guiding principles that underpin the community’s work: Sinau Seko Alam (Learning from Nature), Njogo Kanggo Sesok (Protecting Nature for Tomorrow), Ngunduh Wohing Pakarti (Reaping the Fruits of Good Deeds), and Memayu Hayuning Bawana (Creating Harmony Between People and Nature). Together, these principles emphasize that conservation begins not only with protecting nature but also with understanding it. This philosophy guided participants throughout trekking, birdwatching, and herping activities in the Sermo Wildlife Reserve buffer zone, where they learned directly from both nature and the local community that has long cared for the landscape.
More than a conventional training programme, the initiative demonstrated how biodiversity conservation, youth engagement, and community-based ecotourism can reinforce one another. Participants explored the ecological importance of urban wildlife, developed practical wildlife observation skills, and learned responsible approaches to human–wildlife coexistence. At the same time, the programme showcased the Sermo Wildlife Reserve buffer zone as a landscape where conservation, environmental education, and community-based ecotourism can create lasting benefits for both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
The programme engaged members of Saka Wanabakti Pramuka Kulon Progo, recognizing Scouts as young people with the potential to become influential advocates for nature within their communities. Through interactive discussions and immersive field experiences, participants strengthened their understanding of urban wildlife, biodiversity monitoring, and human–wildlife coexistence while building the confidence to share conservation messages with their peers and local communities.
Participants also explored the ecological and public health implications of illegal wildlife hunting and the keeping of wild animals as pets. By promoting responsible wildlife appreciation through activities such as birdwatching and herping, the programme reinforced a simple but powerful message: wildlife is most valuable when it remains in its natural habitat.
For us, initiatives like this demonstrate how partnerships between conservation organizations, universities, youth groups, and local communities can create meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. By empowering young people with knowledge, practical skills, and the confidence to inspire others, we hope to foster lasting stewardship of Indonesia’s biodiversity.
