Discovering wildlife and their habitats has become a new learning experience for students of Soligi Junior High School through the Jelajah Obi program, which invites them to explore the biodiversity in their surrounding environment.
Through its Sustainability Department, Harita Nickel organized a Protected Wildlife Awareness activity under the message “Discover, Learn, Protect.” Designed to be interactive, the program introduced students to the rich wildlife diversity of Obi Island while fostering a sense of responsibility among the younger generation for nature conservation.
During the introductory session, students learned about wildlife native to Obi Island, including the Obi cuscus and Obi drongo. They were also introduced to migratory birds, including sandpipers and curlews, which use coastal areas as resting and feeding grounds during their migration journeys.
This introduction broadened the students’ understanding of wildlife living in an environment closely connected to their daily lives. “I just found out that there are so many wildlife species native to Obi Island living around my school,” said Salasabila La Hamiru, a Grade 8A student at Soligi Junior High School.
From Discovering to Learning to Protect
The learning experience continued with a wildlife monitoring simulation around the school grounds. Working in small groups, students explored four observation zones: the school forest, garden, buildings, and coastal area.
Equipped with maps, identification cards, and observation forms, they learned to recognize wildlife characteristics and document their findings. Each group then compared their records and presented their observations.
Students also learned about wildlife observation ethics, including maintaining a safe distance and avoiding disturbance to animals and their habitats. Through this hands-on activity, they discovered that understanding wildlife involves more than simply knowing the names and characteristics of different species; it also requires behavior that respects wild animals and their natural environments.
Muharmansyah, Conservation Specialist at Harita Nickel, explained that introducing biodiversity in the surrounding environment is an important first step toward fostering conservation awareness.
“When children become familiar with the wildlife and habitats around them, they gain a better understanding of why both need to be protected. Through this activity, we hope to encourage them to observe, appreciate, and protect biodiversity, starting with the environment closest to them,” he said.
The learning experience reinforced the idea that caring for nature can begin with everyday habits, such as keeping the environment clean, refraining from capturing or hunting wild animals, and protecting the habitats where they live.
Fostering Environmental Awareness from an Early Age
Through the Jelajah Obi program, Harita Nickel encourages younger generations to discover the biodiversity around them and understand the importance of maintaining environmental balance. The knowledge gained at school is expected to be shared with families and communities, helping environmental awareness and concern for wildlife grow beyond the classroom.
From Soligi Junior High School, the message “Discover, Learn, Protect” invites students to take their first steps toward conservation in their immediate surroundings: recognizing the wildlife around them, respecting its habitat, and helping preserve the natural environment of Obi Island.