Accelerating Mangrove Conservation in Minasa Baji Village, Tana Keke Islands, Takalar Regency

Abstract

Mangrove conservation in the Tana Keke Islands, Minasa Baji Village, Takalar Regency, faces various challenges that require accelerated efforts to address urgent environmental issues. The degradation of mangrove ecosystems, caused by human activities such as illegal logging and pollution, has reduced the area and quality of mangrove habitats. This community service activity aims to strengthen the role of the community in environmental conservation through awareness programs, rehabilitation training, and mangrove planting. The program ran from July to December 2024 and involved several stages, including outreach to community leaders, Forum Group Discussions (FGD), public education, and mangrove seedling planting. The results show an increase in community awareness, with active participation rising from 30% to 70%. Seedlings from five species of mangroves were planted in polybags, with a total of 2,500 seedlings receiving intensive care. Monitoring results indicate positive growth, and the seedlings are now ready to be transplanted to rehabilitation sites. This program successfully strengthened the synergy between scientific intervention and local knowledge to support the sustainability of coastal environments.