Trees4Trees Joins Forces Youth: Reviving Fire-Affected Lands of Merbabu Mountain

Trees4Trees

It still resonates in our minds that last 2023 was marked by unusually hot days. According to several studies, it was recorded as the hottest year in global temperature since this data was first recorded in 1850. The year was also impacted by El Niño, a natural climate warming phenomenon that can affect global weather. Climate change exacerbated the effects of El Nino in 2023  leading to prolonged droughts and heatwaves, which triggered severe wildfires in various regions, including Indonesia. 

One of the major events linked to the phenomenon was the wildfires that devastated several forests in Indonesia’s mountainous areas, with over 140 incidents recorded throughout the year. Merbabu Mountain in Central Java Province suffered some of the worst damage, with over 480 hectares of forest burned. The fire was allegedly caused by natural leaves friction, although human actions like discarded cigarette butts or burning trash may have also played a role. 

Read also: Weathering the Storm: Natural Solutions to El Nino 

A Year After the Wildfire: Youth Community Reforests Fire-Damaged Area 

One year has passed since the devastating wildfire on Merbabu Mountain in October 2023. It destroyed much of the forest cover, including valuable vegetation, such as edelweiss, cantigi, and tree species like puspa, pines, cinnamon, and wilodo. While some parts of the forests have been reforested, other fire-affected areas remain barren. This has motivated the youth community of the Executive Student Board (BEM) Diponegoro University to take action, mobilizing youth communities to restore the land by planting trees.

Trees4Trees
Diponegoro University students went to an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level together to plant 500 trees in the fire-affected area of Merbabu Mountain.

Collaborating with Trees4Trees, they organized a tree-planting event through an annual environmental program, Gerakan Aksi Tanam Pohon (GESIT) or the Tree Planting Action Movement. The event took place on October 20, 2024 – exactly one year after the wildfires struck. 

“Aligned with our program in conservation, we initiated this tree-planting activity. In total, 70 volunteers from twelve faculties joined as tree-planting volunteers to help the environment, particularly by reforesting fire-affected areas,” said Jania, a student of Diponegoro University and coordinator of the tree-planting activity. 

Green Action
Three species of trees were planted in the area: puspa, cinnamon, and wilodo, all the characteristic trees of Merbabu.

A Green Collaboration to Recover the Environment 

Together with Trees4Trees, the Gen Z volunteers planted 500 trees along the Thekelan hiking trail on the slope of Merbabu Mountain, in Getasan District, Semarang Regency.  

“This tree-planting aims to support ecosystem recovery, allowing the trees to produce more oxygen to benefit all living beings. This small action reflects our care as young generations for the environment,” said Izza, a Diponegoro University student and leader of the Conservation and Disaster Division. 

As part of its mission in education and sustainability promotion, Trees4Trees provided volunteers with essential training on tree-planting techniques and preparations a week before the event. Danang Pambudi, a Trees4Trees forester who led the training, emphasized the importance of sharing tree-planting knowledge with young people. “We hope this education encourages them not only to plant trees at this event but to continue planting more in the future, wherever they can,” he said. 

Aksi Hijau
Trees4Trees’ forester was presenting the tree-planting technique to the tree-planting volunteers.

Why Is It Important to Plant Trees in the Fire-Affected Area? 

Danang revealed, Trees4Trees supported the tree-planting event by providing three species of trees: puspa, cinnamon, and wilodo, all of which are characteristic of Merbabu Mountain. Some of them were diminished during the wildfire. 

“We selected the trees to fit the existing ecosystem. Merbabu is the natural habitat for these species, and by planting them, we help restore the ecosystem. In fact, the puspa tree is even fire-resistant,” said Danang. He also emphasized that if fire-affected areas are left neglected, they will eventually recover on their own. Birds and wind will disperse the seeds of native trees naturally, encouraging regrowth, but it takes time. “By planting these characteristic trees in their natural habitat, we help to accelerate ecosystem recovery. Additionally, we also help enhance carbon sequestration, contributing to fight climate change,” he explained. 

Penanaman
Each tree was planted in 30 cm depth with 3 meters distance from each other to ensure their growth.
Empowering Youth through Trees4Trees Youth4Change 

Trees4Trees‘ involvement in this collaborative tree-planting event was backed with the aim to raise awareness about environmental preservation among the young generation. This initiative is part of the Trees4Trees Youth4Change program, designed to empower youth to express their concerns and take action for a greener planet. 

Trees4Trees
Trees4Trees Youth4Change collaborates with 70 students of Diponegoro University to make an environmental impact in the Merbabu tree-planting

Hatta Iskandar, the Trees4Trees Fundraising Manager, noted that Youth4Change offers opportunities for youth to engage in impactful actions for environmental preservation. “We are excited to collaborate with young communities, especially in tree-planting activities. We hope to continue this collaboration in the future and involve more youth in the green movement,” he stated. 

In the other hand, Danang emphasized the younger generation holds the key to a sustainable future. “It’s vital to cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility in young people. By supporting positive initiatives and sharing knowledge, we can inspire a deep commitment to protecting our planet,” he said. 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Yulianisa Dessenita & Doc. BEM UNDIP 

Trees4School: Empowering Children to Protect Semarang’s Coastal Ecosystem

Trees4School

Mangunharjo and Mangkang Wetan are two villages in the Tugu District of Semarang City, located in the northern coastal area of Central Java. Situated on the edge of coastal areas facing the Java Sea, the villages frequently experience tidal flooding.  

During the rainy season, or when tidal waves rise and strong winds blow, the villages are inundated by floodwaters. Sometimes, the flooding reaches the chest height of adult people, making children particularly vulnerable as the environment around them becomes unsafe for playing or even going to school. 

Modern development exacerbates tidal flooding 

In the past, the coastal areas of Semarang were dominated by agricultural land and surrounded by mangrove forests. However, with the onset of modern development, excessive exploitation and land conversion into industrial and residential areas have placed a heavy burden on the coastal area.  

The expansion of industrial areas causes land subsidence and the loss of natural barriers, as mangrove forests have been deforested. These issues then triggered coastal erosion and tidal flooding, harming the well-being of the local communities living nearby, including children.   

Mangrove Planting
Trees4Trees along with volunteers from universities, companies, and government officials planted mangroves to support mangrove restoration in Mangunharjo coastal area.

Children vulnerable to tidal flooding’s impact  

Living in the midst of a tidal disaster-prone area, children are the most vulnerable group affected by these conditions. When tidal flooding occurs, inundated houses, roads, and even schools disrupt their studies, hinder their way to school, and limit their freedom to play around.  

“When the tidal flood high, there many students who cannot attend the class for days because their homes inundated with flood as well as the access from their homes to school,” Slamet, the headmaster of Mangkang Wetan 01 Elementary School revealed. 

Slamet believes that coastal environmental protection should be taught to children from an early age to prepare them with the knowledge and skills needed to mitigate the impact of tidal flooding and reduce its severity. 

Trees4School
Students at Mangkang Wetan 01 Elementary School were engaged in the mangrove education session led by Trees4Trees and the Lanang Wadon community.

Trees4School

Trees4Trees initiated a coastal protection and mangrove education at school  

To provide children in both villages with essential knowledge on coastal protection and mangrove conservation, Trees4Trees organized an educational event through its Trees4School program. Coinciding with National Children’s Day on July 23rd, the event was held at Mangkang Wetan 01 Elementary School. 

The event was also part of the Trees4Trees Planting Festival, held in June 2024, where 2,000 mangroves and 100 coastal pine trees were planted in the Mangunharjo coastal area. This initiative supports the local community’s efforts to restore mangrove forests as natural barriers against tidal flooding. 

planting mangrove
The planting of mangroves brings renewed hope to the Mangunharjo coastal area, as they protect against tidal surges.

“Most of the children in Mangunharjo and Mangkang Wetan villages attend this elementary school. Since this area is prone to tidal flooding and is surrounded by mangrove covers planted by the local community in recent years, we believe it’s important for children to understand the value of caring for mangroves as natural barriers for their homes,” said Slamet. 

In collaboration with the Lanang Wadon Storytelling community, Trees4School included a storytelling session about the superpowers of mangroves. The session highlighted how mangroves sequester carbon dioxide at a rate 10 times greater than other trees, help stabilize the Earth’s temperature to prevent the worsening of global warming, provide habitat for coastal biodiversity, and most importantly, protect coastal areas from storm, erosion, and tidal flooding, which the children experience annually. 

Trees4School
Slamet, the headmaster of Mangkang Wetan 01 Elementary School, thanked Trees4Trees for educating the students on coastal issues.

“Through the Trees4School program’s coastal ecosystem and mangrove education, we aim to instill an early understanding of coastal preservation in children. Previously, we planted mangroves along the shoreline, and by engaging children in interactive activities such as games, storytelling, and short films, we hope to inspire them to protect mangroves and coastal ecosystems. Healthy mangrove forests contribute to robust coastal ecosystems, safeguarding their homes, schools, and their parents’ livelihoods,” said Adi Gani, Trees4Trees Project Manager. 

Read Also:Trees4Trees Planting Festival, Celebrating 16th Reforestation Journey 

Interested in supporting environmental education for the next generation? Sponsor the Trees4School program along with your tree donations. In addition to implementing Trees4School in our project areas, Trees4Trees offers hands-on tree-planting experiences and valuable environmental knowledge to students in public and private schools. Contact us to get involved! 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photos: Yulianisa Dessenita  

Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits

Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits
(Above) Fourth graders at Bukit Aksara Elementary School water the Ketapang tree they planted in the school yard.

As the global human population continues to grow, the natural world is under increasing pressure. Efforts are needed now to protect and preserve our planet’s ecosystems for future generations. And this begins with education. 

Through a series of school visits in June, Trees4Trees engaged with kids in Java, building their understanding of environmental issues and getting them excited about conservation. The activities were timed to coincide with Trees4Trees’ 15th anniversary, on June 11.  

“Comprehensive environmental education plays a vital role in preparing kids to address the challenges posed by climate change in the future,” explains Novita, Trees4Trees Planning Assistant. “Schools serve as excellent starting points for such education,” she added. 

Making Learning Fun 

During a visit to Bukit Aksara Elementary School in Semarang, the Trees4Trees team used an animated video on global warming and tree planting to capture the children’s attention.  

“I loved the video,” said Rino, a fourth-grade student at the school. “I learned a lot about global warming and what I can do to prevent it.”  

“I’ve seen other animated movies at school too, where the Earth had no trees left, and people had to buy oxygen to breathe. I don’t want that future, so I am excited with this session,” added Rino.  

In West Java, Trees4Trees visited Cieuri 1 Elementary School Ibun, Hidayatussa’adah Al Husni School Cipongkor, and Firdaus School Pengalengan in Bandung. In each location, activities focused on waste management, the importance of tree planting, and basic knowledge of conservation. 

Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits
(Above) Visiting a group of high school students at Firdaus Islamic Boarding School in Pengalengan, West Java.
Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits
(Above) Members of the Trees4Trees team discuss waste management with fourth grader students at Cieuri 1 Elementary School in West Java.

Learning by Doing: Hands-on Environmental Action  

To provide students with hands-on experience, educational sessions included practical activities. At Bukit Aksara, students planted Ketapang trees in their schoolyard, and learned how to care for them properly. 

Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits
(Above) Students dig holes and prepare organic fertilizers before they plant trees at Bukit Aksara school. Photo: Yulianisa Dessenita/Trees4Trees
Nurturing the Next Generation
Nurturing the Next Generation: Trees4Trees School Visits

Students at Hidayatussa’adah Al Husni  School also rolled up their sleeves and got planting. “During the session, we taught students to plant trees around the school,” remembers Irfan, the Unit Manager of the Ciminyak 2 site. “Together with them, we also planted 80 trees to green the school’s surroundings.”  

At Cieuri 1 Elementary School, students went on a litter-picking walk to better understand the impact of their actions. The activity helped them develop more responsible habits. 

Trees4Trees School Visits
(Above) Senior high school students at Hidayatussa’adah Al Husni Islamic Boarding School

Through all these efforts, Trees4Trees aims to empower children to become stewards of the Earth and help create a sustainable future for all. 

Want to get involved? Trees4Trees is available to visit your school to share conservation skills and knowledge. For more information, please get in touch. 

The Importance of Environmental Education  

School Visits by Trees4Trees team
Cieuri 1 Elementary School, students went on a litter-picking walk to better understand the impact of their actions. Photo: Kemas Duga Muis/Trees4Trees

According to the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2022, our planet has lost approximately 10% (420 million hectares) of forest cover in the last 30 years.  

As highlighted by UNICEF, children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of environmental problems, which impact their health, education, and overall well-being.  

Children are the future stewards of our planet. To ensure the long-term survival of the natural world, we must equip the next generation with the environmental knowledge they need to care for our planet. 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Editor: Christopher Alexander