Universitas Nusantara Manado Researchers Launch Community-Led Coastal Environmental Education Project in North Minahasa

Ilustration by AI

FORMOSA NEWS

Researchers Fandy Yones Latuni and Meyta Ingrid Kindangen from Universitas Nusantara Manado have spearheaded a community-focused environmental initiative in Bulutui Village, North Minahasa. Conducted on May 20, 2026, and published in the Indonesian Journal of Society Development in August 2026, the project deployed participatory education methods to tackle coastal marine debris. By mobilizing approximately 50 villagers, local leaders, and youth, the initiative established a practical framework for reducing household waste, curbing single-use plastics, and safeguarding local marine ecosystems.

Protecting Vital Marine Resources from Household Pollution

Coastal ecosystems provide critical sources of food, income, and cultural identity for island populations across Indonesia. However, small coastal settlements frequently face environmental degradation due to a lack of formal waste management infrastructure, resulting in widespread marine pollution from single-use plastics, packaging materials, and household refuse.

Unmanaged marine debris damages vital aquatic habitats, reduces fishery yields, decreases tourism appeal, and poses direct risks to public health. Changing community behavior requires addressing root causes—specifically, gaps in local environmental knowledge and the absence of established, collective waste-sorting habits.

An Educational-Participatory Approach to Environmental Action

To address these challenges, Fandy Yones Latuni and Meyta Ingrid Kindangen from the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) at Universitas Nusantara Manado designed an educational-participatory outreach program under the theme "Green Bulutui, Clean Sea, Sustainable Village". The initiative engaged 50 local residents, including village officials, community leaders, and youth representatives.

The program integrated four main instructional modules:

• Ecological and Economic Value: Explaining the ocean's role as the primary source of food, income, and ecotourism potential for Bulutui Village.
• Impact of Waste Pollution: Examining how common household pollutants—such as plastic packaging, beverage bottles, bags, and disposable diapers—contaminate seawater and degrade marine habitats.
• Actionable Environmental Steps: Introducing five basic daily habits: refraining from dumping trash into the ocean, using proper waste receptacles, reducing single-use plastics, conducting beach cleanups, and organizing community waste drives.
• Sustainable Marine Management: Connecting environmental conservation with sustainable capture fisheries, seafood processing, aquaculture, and community-led ecotourism.

Program outcomes were assessed using descriptive evaluation methods based on qualitative field observations, participant engagement during interactive discussions, and active reflection sessions.

Key Findings: Increased Awareness and Youth Leadership

The evaluation revealed notable progress in community awareness and local engagement:

• Waste Source Identification: Participants successfully identified the primary local contributors to coastal pollution, acknowledging that proper household-level waste management is essential to keeping plastics out of the ocean.
• Shift to Sustainable Habits: Residents demonstrated an increased understanding of practical waste mitigation strategies, moving beyond simple disposal bans to embrace sorting, reduction of single-use plastics, and organized beach cleanups.
• Youth Engagement as Change Drivers: The initiative highlighted young residents as critical leaders for long-term sustainability, positioning them to model clean lifestyle habits and lead future environmental activities across the village.

Implications and Real-World Impact

The initiative demonstrates that combining community-based outreach with higher education expertise creates a viable template for environmental protection in rural coastal areas. By directly linking ocean health with local economic stability and public welfare, the program built strong community commitment to sustainable practices.

Highlighting the long-term potential of the project, lead researcher Fandy Yones Latuni noted the importance of ongoing local involvement. "Coastal environmental education serves as a crucial first step in building collective awareness," Latuni stated. "When residents understand the direct connection between a clean marine ecosystem, public health, and their economic future, simple everyday actions can transform the long-term sustainability of the entire village."

To sustain progress, the researchers recommend establishing dedicated village coastal care groups, installing strategic waste receptacles, providing hands-on waste sorting training, and implementing regular pre- and post-activity evaluation questionnaires to track changes in community knowledge over time.

Author Profiles

• Fandy Yones Latuni, S.Pd., M.Si. — Researcher and lecturer at Universitas Nusantara Manado, specializing in coastal environmental education, community service, and sustainable natural resource management.
• Meyta Ingrid Kindangen, S.Pd., M.Si. — Researcher and academic staff member at Universitas Nusantara Manado, focusing on community empowerment, environmental outreach, and educational development.

Research Source

Article Title: Community-Based Coastal Environmental Management Education through the "Green Bulutui, Clean Sea, Sustainable Village" Program in Bulutui Village, North Minahasa
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Society Development (IJSD)
Publication Year: 2026
Volume & Issue: Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 361–370
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijsd.v5i4.35

Official URL: https://journalijsd.my.id/index.php/ijsd/index