PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN MELESTARIKAN LINGKUNGAN PESISIR BAGI SISWA SMP DABATAN MISOOL RAJA AMPAT

Abstrak

The younger generation plays a strategic role in supporting the development of sustainable tourism in Dabatan, Misool, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. Therefore, enhancing the capabilities of the younger generation in preserving coastal and marine environments has become urgent in the current community empowerment initiatives. Through care for the preservation of coastal and marine environments, the younger generation can demonstrate their abilities and qualities, while improving the unique characteristics of the region. The lack of understanding among students at SMP Negeri 18 Raja Ampat—located in Dabatan, Misool—regarding environmental education on coastal and marine ecosystems, combined with the absence of effective learning methods for these topics, highlights the need for capacity-building programs and increased awareness of ecosystems in coastal and marine areas. This is particularly important given the students' and local youth's interactions with international tourists, necessitating a comprehensive understanding that integrates local wisdom. Through "Environmental Education," awareness and concern among the younger generation for coastal and marine environments can be systematically cultivated. Based on the implementation of the activities, all participants (100%) showed improved understanding of fisheries and marine resources, as well as the application of sustainability principles for coastal and marine resources in Dabatan. This enables the school to adopt and independently continue the program as a sustainability effort.