NEWS 2023

The Faculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries (FIKP) of Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH), together with the Care Peduli Foundation and the Riau Islands Ecology Foundation (YEKR), held a public seminar entitled “The Blue Legacy” at the Dompak Campus Auditorium.

Ecology Foundation (Yayasan Ecology Kepulauan Riau-YEKR) continues to demonstrate its commitment to assisting coastal community groups, especially the Marine and Fisheries Monitoring Group (Pokmaswas Perisai Mapur), in preserving the sustainability of sea turtles on Mapur Island.

PT PLN (Persero) UIP3B SUMATRA UPT Pekanbaru, through the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program officially launched the PLN Peduli Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Program in Berakit Village, Teluk Sebong District, Bintan Regency. The program, which is run in collaboration with the Riau Islands Ecology Foundation (YEKR), targets the planting of 15,000 Rhizophora stylosa mangrove trees in stages, with direct involvement of local community groups as the main actors.

In March 2025, YEKR had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 1st International Symposium on Biodiversity, Conservation, and Ecotourism (BCE Symposium) held in Yogyakarta. This symposium is a forum or meeting initiated to discuss issues related to biodiversity, including research and utilization.

On April 16-17, 2025, Ecology Foundation (YEKR) had the opportunity to accompany the Sekolah Alam Indonesi in the Young Explorer 2025 activity with the theme "Exploring Wonderful Culture & Nature of Riau Island". The activity, which was attended by 44 students and 5 teachers from South Jakarta, was designed to invite the younger generation to get to know the natural and cultural potential of the Riau Islands while fostering awareness of the importance of protecting the environment

To realize a blue economy, it is necessary to optimize marine resource management. When coastal ecosystems are healthy, biodiversity is maintained, which directly impacts the livelihoods of coastal communities. The Ecology Foundation (YEKR) is committed to continuously supporting effective management in the Riau Islands by collaborating with various parties.

As part of its Women's Empowerment and Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Program, Yayasan Ecology Riau Islands (YEKR) in collaboration with Bank Riau Kepri (BRK) Syariah held a Digital Business and Financial Management Training activity for women's groups in Berakit Village. The event occurred at Berakit Village Hall and was attended by 55 participants from five community groups, including Pokmaswas Srikandi, KUEP Melati, KUEP Tenggiri, KUM Panglong, and representatives from YEKR.

In an effort to strengthen community participation in sustainable coastal resource management, community groups in Berakit Village, including the Srikandi Community Supervisory Group (Pokmaswas), the Melati and Tenggiri Women's Economic Business Group (KUEP) and the Panglong Community Business Group, participated in a capacity building program through a series of group administration training and training on the use of mangroves in batik and ecoprint crafts. This program aims to improve the managerial and entrepreneurial skills of the community, so that they can be more independent in managing groups and utilizing environmental potential in a sustainable manner to improve economic welfare.

Berakit Village community groups consisting of the Srikandi Community Supervisory Group (Pokmaswas), the Melati and Tenggiri Women's Economic Business Group (KUEP) and the Panglong Community Business Group have taken the initiative to nurture 50,000 Rhizophora Stylosa mangrove seedlings as a concrete step in preserving coastal ecosystems. This nursery activity is a series of women's empowerment programs and mangrove ecosystem restoration in Berakit Village. This effort is also done as a response to the increasing coastal abrasion, environmental degradation, and climate change impacts that threaten the lives of coastal communities. With a healthy mangrove ecosystem, it is hoped that coastal areas can be protected from erosion and remain a habitat for various marine life that plays a role in the balance of the ecosystem

Environmental conservation efforts continue to be promoted through symbolic mangrove planting activities in Berakit Village, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands. This activity marks the beginning of a series of women's empowerment and mangrove ecosystem restoration programs in Berakit Village.