By Dr. Teri Allendorf, Executive Director of Community Conservation
In the vibrant landscapes of Indonesia—where 15,000 islands cradle lush forests, winding rivers, and coral reefs—one thing became clear during my recent trip: conservation works best when it starts with the people.
Too often, global conservation efforts have viewed communities as part of the problem. The prevailing idea has been: increase incomes so people don’t rely on natural resources, and conservation will follow. But this approach overlooks the true issue—not income, but power. Communities are not the obstacle. They are the solution. What they need isn’t just economic aid; they need the right to manage and protect their own natural resources. This is the heart of Community Conservation’s work—and the work of so many incredible partners I met during my journey.
Trifonia Erny (right) and Godeliva Fristy (left) of LBBT (Lembaga Bela Banua Talino, Institute for Community Legal Resources Empowerment). They have been working on issues of community’s control over natural resources since 1993.
A Rich Tapestry of Collaboration
My first stop was with our longtime friends at LATIN (Lembaga Alam Tropika Indonesia), who have been doing community-based conservation since 1989—the same year Community Conservation was founded. LATIN introduced me to Cibulao Village in the Ciliwung watershed, which supplies water to Jakarta. There, I met Uti and Thomas, who have helped local farmers improve their coffee production. Their robusta coffee won Indonesia’s Specialty Coffee Contest in 2016!
But what’s even more remarkable than the taste of their coffee (including civet-processed beans!) is the story behind it. The farmers’ parents planted coffee not for profit, but to protect the forest. By growing coffee under trees, they created an incentive not to cut the forest—protecting both the ecosystem and their livelihoods. Today, coffee continues to be a powerful tool for conservation and community well-being.
Thanks to Uti and Thomas from LATIN (Lembaga Alam Tropika Indonesia) for taking us on a field trip to the Ciliwung watershed, which provides water to Jakarta.
Fun fact: You can tell the difference between arabica and robusta beans by the line in the bean. Arabica has a crooked line and robusta is straight.
A Culture of Conservation
In Jatimulyo and Purwosari villages, I saw what happens when conservation is woven into daily life. Thanks to partners like Yayasan Kanopi Indonesia and BISA Indonesia, these villages transitioned from rice paddies into complex agroforestry systems. In just five minutes, we counted 24 edible plant species! These systems support biodiversity—including endangered songbirds—and resilient communities.
I was deeply inspired by Nurjiwoto of Lestari Purwosari, who shared how conserving biodiversity reflects his community’s traditional values. He’s worried the younger generation might lose this connection—but that day, we were warmly welcomed by youth leaders like Tegar Cahaya Putra, who served us herbal teas and cassava snacks while proudly introducing their conservation work. The next generation is stepping up.
Tegar Cahaya Putra (checked shirt) of the group, Lestari Purwosari, other members, me, Nura, and Rudi
The Intersection of Heritage and Habitat
No trip to Indonesia would be complete without exploring its rich culture. In Yogyakarta, I visited the royal kraton and savored gudeg, a jackfruit stew that defines the region’s sweet culinary profile. I also visited Borobudur and Prambanan—8th and 9th-century monuments that show how deeply culture and nature have been intertwined here for millennia.
And yes, I sampled incredible tempeh—an Indonesian invention that goes back over a thousand years!
But even among these cultural gems, conservation is never far from the surface. In Bali, I visited the village of Tenganan Pegringsingan, where a centuries-old forest tradition called awig-awig governs how the forest is managed and used. Over 60% of their plant species are utilized for food, medicine, rituals, and daily living. It’s an extraordinary example of living sustainability.
AMAN Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara –AMAN, or Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago) provincial chapter in West Kalimantan. AMAN works to secure indigenous rights to land for communities across Indonesia.
Marine Conservation and Coastal Wisdom
Indonesia’s marine ecosystems are just as important—and threatened—as its forests. From Bali to Borneo to Lombok, I met with organizations like Planet Indonesia and Blue Ventures, learning how they work directly with communities to tie conservation together with health and livelihoods.
In Lombok, I visited Nipah Beach, home to a community-led turtle conservation project. The origin story? A restaurant owner who couldn’t bear to see baby turtles fail to reach the ocean. It’s these kinds of local actions—rooted in care and tradition—that ripple out to protect entire ecosystems.
We ended the trip talking with Blue Ventures and others about the similarities between marine and terrestrial conservation: whether in forests or reefs, it’s clear—when communities lead, nature thrives.
Nipah Beach, home to a community-led turtle conservation project
What This Means For Conservation
Indonesia has made progress: since 2015, community-recognized land has increased sevenfold. But still, only 1.5% of land is recognized as community-managed—compared to 18% in Nepal or 37% in Namibia. The potential here is vast, but it requires continued support, advocacy, and trust in local leadership.
At Community Conservation, we don’t believe in removing people from the conservation equation. We believe in putting them at the center.
Every forest protected, every river kept clean, every turtle that makes it back to the sea—these victories belong to communities. Our role is to listen, support, and ensure they have the tools and recognition they deserve.
A beach in Bali
Be Part of the Solution
You don’t have to travel to Indonesia to make a difference. You can support the incredible work of local leaders by:
✅ Donating to fund community-led conservation
✅ Sharing stories like this to raise awareness
✅ Supporting policies that recognize indigenous and local land rights
✅ Learning more about our partners through our project pages
Let’s build a future where communities aren’t pushed out of nature—but lead the way in protecting it.
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