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> News > USU Strengthens Commitment to Ocean and River Conservation Through Collaborative Events

USU Strengthens Commitment to Ocean and River Conservation Through Collaborative Events

Published At

28 December 2024

Published By

Threesna Sharfina

Through a series of community and academic events, USU actively promotes the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and freshwater environments, ensuring that local communities, students, and practitioners are involved in protecting these critical ecosystems.

Medan, Indonesia (28 December 2024) – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is advancing innovation in the management of marine and freshwater ecosystems by combining drone technology, academic research, and community education. Through a series of community and academic events, USU actively promotes the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and freshwater environments, ensuring that local communities, students, and practitioners are involved in protecting these critical ecosystems.


Innovating ecosystem monitoring with drones
According to the 2024 Faculty of Forestry report, USU organised two flagship outreach programmes:

  • “UAV untuk Ekowisata” (Drones for Ecotourism)

  • “Pemantauan UAV untuk Ekosistem Mangrove” (UAV Monitoring for Mangrove Ecosystems)


A drone operated by USU’s team captures imagery for ecosystem monitoring, mapping, and habitat assessment in mangrove and coastal areas.


These programmes introduced the use of drones (UAVs) for ecosystem monitoring, mapping, and habitat assessment in mangrove and coastal areas. Participants learned how drone imagery can be used to:

  • Map mangrove coverage and detect degradation;

  • Monitor coastline changes and erosion;

  • Support planning for nature based tourism routes and interpretation points.


The activities were designed not only to improve real time data collection for environmental management, but also to inspire public participation and student learning in applying cutting edge technology for conservation. By integrating drone applications into research and teaching, USU strengthens scientific capacity and raises awareness of the ecological and economic value of mangrove forests as carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.


Collaborative and multidisciplinary conservation
The programmes brought together students, lecturers, and local conservation partners, including the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Foundation (Yayasan Orangutan Sumatera Lestari, YOSL–OIC). This collaboration reflects USU’s preference for a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach to sustainability.
Faculties involved included the Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, and the Postgraduate School, which together connected:

  • Ecological and conservation science;

  • Environmental education and communication;

  • Community outreach and local governance.


During field visits and training sessions, participants discussed the ecological role of mangroves, carried out participatory mapping using drone outputs, and explored how ecotourism and conservation can support local livelihoods without damaging habitats.


Academic integration and institutional support
At the academic level, environmental literacy and ecosystem stewardship are embedded in USU’s curriculum. One of the university’s mandatory general education courses (MKWK) includes activities that introduce students from various disciplines to issues such as marine and coastal conservation, sustainable tourism, and the protection of freshwater ecosystems. Many of these activities include field based learning, where students observe mangrove areas, coastal ecosystems, and lakes while learning how data (including drone imagery) can inform conservation decisions.


USU also operates the Center for Excellence in Science and Technology (PUI) with a focus on mangrove ecosystems and lake ecosystem management. The centre promotes applied research on:

  • mangrove restoration and protection;

  • the health of lake and wetland ecosystems;

  • the link between environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods for communities that depend on fisheries, aquaculture, and ecotourism.

Picture: USU’s PUI Mangrove conducts applied research to support mangrove restoration, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and sustainable community livelihoods.

Through PUI, academic findings are translated into practical guidelines and tools that can be used by local governments, NGOs, and communities.


Promoting conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems
Across these initiatives, USU promotes the conservation and sustainable utilisation of coastal and freshwater ecosystems by:

  • organising community outreach programmes that encourage responsible use of mangroves, rivers, and coastal zones;

    USU’s Mangrove Center of Excellence organising community outreach programmes through summer courses and seminars

  • running academic seminars, training sessions, and student projects on drone based monitoring and habitat protection;


working with partners such as YOSL–OIC and local communities to combine science, technology, and traditional knowledge in managing aquatic habitats.


Through continuous innovation and collaboration, Universitas Sumatera Utara is helping to shape a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders who understand both the science and the practical realities of conserving marine and freshwater ecosystems. By bringing together drones, data, and community engagement, USU demonstrates how a university can play a transformative role in safeguarding aquatic environments at both local and wider scales.

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