UGM and YKAN Establish Partnership to Strengthen Sustainable Forest Management

The Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has partnered with the environmental non-profit organization, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), to enhance efforts in environmental conservation and natural resource management within Indonesia. This collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at promoting sustainable forest management through education, research, and community service initiatives.

The MoU, signed on 20 February 2026, seeks to support holders of Forest Utilization Business Permits (PBPH) – Natural Forests in managing production natural forest areas more sustainably, while contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the forestry sector.

Dr. Kaharuddin, S.Hut., M.Si., Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources at UGM’s Faculty of Forestry, stated that this partnership represents a strategic step in connecting academic expertise with practical field experience. “This collaboration is crucial in addressing the increasingly complex challenges of forest management. It is not only about technical aspects but also serves as a bridge to drive regulatory changes in the forestry sector,” he explained.

Meanwhile, YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto emphasized that the partnership with UGM is a critical step in strengthening support for PBPH holders, particularly in ensuring forest management practices align with sustainability principles. She noted that the synergy between academic research and on-the-ground conservation practices can address the current needs of the forestry sector. “UGM offers outstanding academic and research capabilities, while YKAN brings decades of experience providing technical support to PBPH partners in Kalimantan. This collaboration will enhance their capacity to manage forests more responsibly and sustainably,” Herlina said.

As part of the collaboration’s implementation, UGM and YKAN have also developed curricula and Terms of Reference (ToR) to ensure that academic activities align with real-world field needs.

During the MoU signing, presentations were delivered on YKAN’s Terrestrial Program by Terrestrial Program Director Ruslandi, and on the Landscape-Scale Multi-Forest Enterprise (MUK) Program “Bentala Kalimantan” by Conservation Partnerships Director Arief Perkasa. These presentations provided an overview of future UGM–YKAN collaboration opportunities, including research support, capacity building, and the development of sustainable forest management practices aligned with the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.

As a follow-up, UGM and YKAN plan to develop and implement structured and measurable collaborative activities. The partnership also includes periodic monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure tangible benefits are achieved.

This strategic collaboration is expected to have a positive impact on the future of forest and natural resource management in Indonesia. Through a science-based, educational, and multi-stakeholder approach, this partnership represents a significant step toward more sustainable forestry practices.