The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has launched the International Community Service initiative titled “Mangrove for Sustainable Coastal Environment: 1000 Trees.” The event took place on Thursday, June 4, 2024, at the Mangrove Botanical Garden in Gunung Anyar, Surabaya. rnrnThis initiative is a collaborative effort involving various organizations, including Petronas, the UNAIR SDGs Center, and the Indonesia SDGs Center Network (ISCN). The FST team involved 12 inbound students from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), FST ambassadors as liaison officers, and representatives from Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE). rnrnThe event was attended by Dr. Fatmawati, Vice Dean III of FST; Eva Dwi Komalasari, S.P., Head of UPTD KRM; Bayu Arie Fianto, Ph.D., President of the Indonesia SDGs Center; and Taufik Harwanto, a representative from Petronas. rnrnThe FST’s Enviro Fest program has been running for two years, beginning in 2023.
This year’s activities continued the tradition of planting 1000 mangrove seedlings. rnrn“Since last year, we’ve used the same location and program, planting mangrove seedlings at the Mangrove Botanical Garden in Gunung Anyar. Last year, we collaborated with international students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and different partners,” explained Dimas, the program’s coordinator. rnrnDr. Fatmawati, Vice Dean III of FST UNAIR, explained that Enviro Fest aims to preserve the resilience of the mangrove ecosystem, ensuring the environment remains protected and sustainable. rnrn“This initiative is an effort to maintain the ecosystem’s resilience, keeping it fresh and safe. We hope that the human resources involved will contribute to the sustainability of this location.
This activity is a form of commitment to maintaining the mangrove environment,” she explained. rnrnIn conclusion, Dr. Fatmawati hopes that planting a thousand trees would bring great benefits and provide valuable experiences for participants. “I hope you all enjoy this experience and gain professional experience, ensuring the tasks are carried out to their fullest potential,” she concluded.