Established on September, 2009, Komunitas Penjaga Pulau (translated as the Guardians of the Island Community) emerged in Sumbawa to provide opportunities for local people to be Aware of their environment, Appreciate the beauty and biodiversity, and Act positively to contribute to both the environment and the people.
Our approach believes in investing in the local people’s capacity building to ensure that initiatives and solutions are contextually relevant and tailored to the specific needs of the community.
Scholarship for Undergraduate Students’ Research and Publication
During Covid-19, we realised that many university students struggled because Covid-19 affected their parents’ economy. In response to this, since 2020, we support students undertaking research related to mangrove, seagrass, coral, soil, water resources, and environmental education in West Nusa Tenggara Province. We also provide support for students to publish their research on accredited journal in Indonesia. Since then, this has become our annual programme.
Mangrove Conservation using Adaptive and Integrated Management System (AIMS) for Silvo-fishery
Since 2010, we strive to enhance young people’s appreciation towards mangrove through conservation education. We are also committed to increase mangrove rehabilitation success rate through science-based planning and monitoring. AIMS for Silvo-fishery integrates data and evidence to improve mangrove rehabilitation and enhance food security through low input aquaculture. AIMS for Silvo-fishery is part of the Climate Smart Coastal Village program funded by the AF-EU-UNDP Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA).
Coral Reef Restoration
Coral reef ecosystem is fragile ecosystem continuously declining in terms of area cover and quality. Is there any hope? We conducted coral restoration using coconut shell as the restoration media (called bioreeftek), restoration using concrete and burned iron, and transplantation with the ‘spiderweb’ method. Our pilot restoration sites show that provided that further threats are halted, there are hopes as corals are growing.
Adaptive and Integrated Management System (AIMS) for Coral Reef Ecosystem
We are working on developing locally-led monitoring and early warning system for coral reef ecosystem. After several trainings, Kelompok KABETE Bajo in Labuhan Bajo VIllage is now capable of undertaking monthly monitoring of the coral reef ecosystem around them. Equally important is they are able to conduct coral restoration activities and monitor the results. This initiative is funded by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF) Hong Kong.
Environmental Education
During the early years of our operations, we focused on Environmental Education (EE). The first EE was called Climate Goes To School (in 2009), supported by the British Council Indonesia, where we travelled to schools across Sumbawa District to share about climate change issues with high school students. We then focused on increasing local youth awareness about coral reef issues in Sumbawa through Environmental Journalism Training (in 2010), supported by the Rufford Small Grants Foundation. Through the combination of indoor, outdoor and live-in in fisher community activities, participants were facilitated to develop a piece of writing to voice their concerns, ideas, or anything related to coral reef issues. We are very proud, three of the participants won in National Writing Competition. This has strengthened our mission to empower the local people.
Our Partners
