Prof. Supriyono is the 25th professor at FEB and the 347th at UNS. His inaugural speech was “Stakeholder Awareness in Conservation as a Foundation for Sustainable Development”. He emphasized the need for conservation-based economic growth. He highlighted its importance in ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Role of Conservation in Sustainable Development

During his speech, Prof. Supriyono highlighted the increasing global population and its impact on natural resources. According to him, human needs continue to expand while resources remain finite. As a result, excessive exploitation leads to environmental degradation. Therefore, conservation plays a crucial role in balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects.

“Sustainable development rests on three key pillars: economy, society, and the environment. The economic aspect focuses on resource efficiency and green technology. The social dimension ensures equity and public welfare. Meanwhile, the environmental aspect emphasizes ecosystem preservation through responsible resource management,” he explained.

Challenges and Solutions in Conservation

Prof. Supriyono identified several challenges to sustainable development, including low stakeholder awareness and declining environmental quality. These issues contribute to global warming, climate change, and environmental destruction. Therefore, stakeholders must take an active role in conservation efforts.

• Government: Responsible for creating policies and regulations that support environmental conservation.
• Private Sector: Encouraged to develop innovative and eco-friendly technologies.
• Communities: Particularly those reliant on natural resources, must engage in sustainable resource management.
• International Organizations: Play a role in setting global standards and providing sustainable funding.

“Soil and water conservation should be a top priority. Techniques such as terracing, watershed rehabilitation, and efficient irrigation systems help prevent land degradation. They also effectively address water shortages. Additionally, preserving ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, helps mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide,” Prof. Supriyono added.

The Importance of Public Awareness

Raising public awareness is essential for effective conservation. Environmental education, stakeholder collaboration, and strong policy support are critical for sustainable implementation. Moreover, partnerships between various sectors can enhance conservation efforts, ensuring a balance between economic growth and ecological preservation.

These initiatives align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They specifically support Goal 13 on Climate Action and Goal 15 on Life on Land. By adopting a holistic approach, conservation challenges can be addressed, securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

HUMAS UNS

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The students, Pleun de Vries, Niels Baars, and Thomas Riewert Wierenga, all third-year students of the Water Management and Spatial Development program, initiated sustainable projects in Kelurahan Sumber (Urban Village), Kampung Kota Eks HP0001 Mojo, and Mojogedang District.

Pleun de Vries focused her research on organic rice farming and water contamination in Mojogedang, Karanganyar Regency. In her article, “Challenges in Organic Rice Cultivation as Cultural Landscape in Mojogedang, Karanganyar,” she highlighted pesticide usage by upstream farmers as a major obstacle for downstream organic farmers.

“The pesticide use by upstream farmers contaminates irrigation water, which hampers organic farming downstream and prevents certification. I collaborated with Mr. Mazlan, a Ph.D. candidate from the Chemistry Department, and Mr. Ari, a lecturer from the Faculty of Agriculture, to develop a water filtration system. We are also working with local governments to create policies regulating pesticide use,” Pleun explained on Tuesday (17/12/2024).

Niels Baars explored the interaction between humans and nature along the Kali Pepe River in Kampung Sumber. His article, “Re-naturalization of River Bank Settlement of Kali Pepe River Surakarta,” combined theoretical and practical analyses to propose sustainable urban riverbank designs. Niels emphasized the importance of post-implementation maintenance to ensure the long-term success of the project.

“Collaborating with the project team from the Department of Architecture, I contributed to developing a master plan to redesign the riverbanks. By incorporating vegetation, this design aims to improve water quality, reduce flood risks, prevent waste disposal, and create spaces that encourage interaction between the community and nature. Collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Sumber River Care Community (KPS Sumber), local residents, and Arifa Ummiyati, Head of Sumber Subdistrict, Banjarsari District, Surakarta City, as well as the Bengawan Solo River Basin Authority (BBWS Solo), was crucial in the development of this project,” Niels explained.

In Kampung Kota Eks HP0001 Mojo, Thomas Riewert Wierenga focused on improving livability through participatory and sustainable design strategies. Together with UNS students, he developed a “Green Map” to engage local communities in climate-positive actions.

“We proposed solutions such as multifunctional green spaces, waste management initiatives, and safe play areas for children. We also collaborated with the community to create public art installations to raise environmental awareness,” Thomas shared.

Over four months, the Dutch students and URDC FT UNS worked together to address environmental and community challenges in Surakarta. They emphasized the importance of stakeholder support to ensure project sustainability.

“My internship at the URDC Laboratory and UNS has been an unforgettable journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work closely with farmers and local communities. The event in Mojogedang, particularly the discussions with farmers, provided invaluable insights for my research. I also gained new skills, such as writing review articles and integrating modern solutions with traditional practices. I hope the projects we initiated can be implemented, the farmers educated, and the government pays greater attention to these efforts,” Pleun said.

Thomas also shared that his internship experience with URDC UNS taught him how collaboration across different groups can lead to innovative and long-term impactful solutions. He noted that the culture of Surakarta and the resilience of its communities have inspired him to continue creating innovative solutions that prioritize people and the environment. He expressed his hope that the government would give more attention to the sustainability of community livelihoods, particularly in Kampung Kota.

Neils expressed his deep gratitude to Dr. Eng. Kusumaningdyah Nurul Handayani, S.T., M.T., for her guidance and support during his internship at URDC FT UNS. “Working with communities and stakeholders, as well as writing articles, has been an invaluable experience. This journey has truly been a life-changing opportunity for me. I hope this program will strengthen the harmony between the environment and society. I look forward to the chance to return to Indonesia in the future,” he said.

The collaboration between URDC and the three Dutch students aims to mitigate climate change’s impacts, enhance resilience to climate-related challenges and disasters, and promote the sustainable protection, restoration, and management of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and soil. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 13, “Climate Action,” and Goal 15, “Life on Land.”

HUMAS UNS

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