By: Natalia Trita Agnika

Young age is not an obstacle to doing the best for this nation. Young age should be an encouragement to make a real contribution to the nation. One of the things that can be done is to take action in various conservation efforts. Moreover, the young generation is the next generation that will determine the future of the nation.

In this moment of commemoration of Youth Pledge Day (28/10), we, the young generation of the nation's successors, are invited to unite to do our best for the preservation of nature, as has been done by these young people.

Whale Shark Researcher
Casandra Tania is one such example. This Marine Species Officer WWF-Indonesia is tasked with monitoring the "health" of marine habitats in Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, Papua. Diving, observing and recording coral reefs is part of her job. Cassie is also a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) researcher, which involves identifying and surveying populations by attaching scanners to the animals' bodies, which can be up to 12 m long.

Marine Species Guardian
When a marine animal is stranded outside its habitat, Dwi Suprapti often has to respond immediately, even if the case occurs in various parts of Indonesia. Despite her petite size, Dwi often has to perform necropsies on large marine animals to determine the cause of death. As a Marine Species Conservation Coordinator, Dwi monitors and conserves protected marine species, such as sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, porpoises and whale sharks.

Sumatran Elephant Nurse

Keepers of the Sumatran Wilderness
In the wilds of Sumatra there is also a group of young people who dedicate themselves to protecting the green forests of Rimbang Baling, Riau. They are Febri Anatama, Wanda Erika Putri, Nur Fajri, and Muhammad Dahrul, KPHK (Conservation Forest Management Unit) officers monitoring the MyBabyTree program in the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve (SMBRBB). They geotagged the planted trees, including the type of plant, a photo of the plant, the height of the plant, and its coordinate location. The data is collected using a special application and stored on a smartphone to be uploaded when there is an internet network. Their young age is no reason for them not to care about nature. "If not us, who else?" said Febri.

Spreaders of Conservation Education
In urban environments, the younger generation can also become conservationists. Pratama Aditya, WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile Coordinator does just that by spreading conservation education to students using Panda Mobile, WWF-Indonesia's education truck to disseminate information and education on the environment and protected animals to the public. "I learned a lot about WWF-Indonesia's conservation programs and what we can do to save the environment and animals," she said.

The examples above are just a small part of the work of youth for conservation. There are many more young people who do not just stand by and watch the condition of nature. So, what can we do as young Indonesians for nature? Be a youth for conservation by starting from small things, such as living a green lifestyle, caring about the environment, and being actively involved in various real actions to protect the environment. We can also become nature guardians by joining NATURE GUARDIAN.

Happy Youth Pledge Day. Let's #Dare to Unite for a sustainable nature!