By: Galih Aji Prasongko

Every August 14 is celebrated as Scout Day. Since its official introduction in 1961 in the archipelago. The Scout Movement has a long history of contributing to protecting Indonesia's nature and environment. If it can be compared to the relationship between humans and nature, then that is the relationship between scout activities and conservation work. This is clearly embedded in the dasa dharma of Scouting, "love of nature and compassion for fellow human beings".

Initially only from an obedience in elementary school, it turns out that Scouting has brought Ari Wijanarko or commonly called Kak Ari, to discover the fact that nature is never separated from the founding principles of scouting itself. As said by the Father of World Scouting, Lord Robert Baden Powell that a day of learning in nature is equal to 6 months of learning in the classroom. This principle eventually gave rise to a commitment in Kak Ari. And brought him to continue to be active with Scouting, in an effort to protect nature and a sustainable future for the earth.

During his 15 years in Scouting, Kak Ari has always associated conservation work in all the Scouting activities he participated in. After going through his time as a Garuda Scout at the High School level. In 2009, Kak Ari was elected as a member of the Scout National Working Council in the field of community service. Together with 11 people who were selected to represent 30 provinces. During his service with the National Working Council, Kak Ari helped initiate nature conservation programs, through the active role of Scouting throughout its activities in Indonesia.

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From 2010 to 2012, Ari was appointed as a youth advisor for the Asia Pacific region, overseeing work units in 27 countries across Asia Pacific. His work as a young Scout leader in Asia Pacific has involved him in several initiatives that are built globally. Especially in responding to several major international issues. One of them is related to environmental issues in the world, as well as representing the participation of the Scout movement globally.

His love for efforts and work related to nature conservation, then led him to join WWF Indonesia in March 2015. Since joining WWF-Indonesia, Kak Ari has been involved in the process of conservation work carried out by WWF throughout Indonesia. After joining WWF, Kak Ari remained actively involved in Scouting activities. In 2016, at the age of 30, Ari joined the National Committee (KWARNAS) of Boy Scouts, for foreign affairs.

Being a conservation worker as well as a Scout leader, encouraged him to unite the two identities in one joint movement. So as of May 17, 2018, based on the decision letter of the National Kwartir of the Scout Movement N0. 66 Year 2018. Ari Wijanarko was appointed to lead the Working Group (POKJA) for the Compilation of Conservation Education and Activity Programs. Until November 17, 2018, Ari and his team will be in charge of coordinating with WWF Indonesia until the realization of the Education Program and Conservation Activities as well as the MoU between the National Kwartir of the Scout Movement and WWF Indonesia.