YKAN Invites Public to Embrace Creativity and Awareness Through the Suara Alam Nusantara Photo & Video Contest

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) announces the Suara Alam Nusantara Photo and Video Contest to raise public awareness and inspire creativity around the preservation of Indonesia’s nature and biodiversity, in celebration of National Flora and Fauna Love Day (Hari Cinta Puspa dan Satwa Nasional (HCPSN)) observed every 5 November.

“HCPSN serves as an important reminder of the role that flora and fauna play in maintaining ecosystem balance. Through this photo and video contest, we invite the public to creatively celebrate the beauty of Indonesia’s nature while strengthening their commitment to its preservation amid ongoing challenges,” said Priscilla Christin, YKAN’s Director of Communications.

This year, the contest theme is drawn from the Life Music: Suara Alam Nusantara album. The album showcases ten distinct natural soundscapes from YKAN conservation sites, including the songs of birds of paradise, the waves in Wakatobi, morning sounds from Wehea Forest, and underwater life in Raja Ampat.

“Music has always been a source of inspiration for human life. We believe that nature’s music can also inspire stunning photo and video creations. By pairing these visuals with the audio from the Life Music: Suara Alam Nusantara album, we hope to strengthen public awareness of Indonesia’s natural wealth and encourage collaborative efforts for its preservation,” Priscilla explained.

The contest features eight categories: Marine Landscapes (including underwater), Marine Creatures, Drone Landscapes, Non-Drone Landscapes, Wild Plants and Fungi, Wildlife, Birds, and Indigenous Peoples of Indonesia. Each category is designed to capture the beauty of Indonesia’s land, sea, and sky, along with its rich biodiversity.

The judging panel includes professional photographer Marrysa Tunjung Sari, environmental advocate and actor Ramon Tungka, and musician Monita Tahalea. Senior wildlife photographer Riza Marlon will serve as the special curator, evaluating entries based on authenticity, message strength, and visual depth.

“Translating the sounds of nature into visual inspiration is both profound and intuitive. Sound carries mood, emotion, and an unseen story. When expressed visually, we not only see nature but feel its presence in full,” said Marrysa Tunjung Sari.

Musician Monita Tahalea added that nature’s sounds are honest and touching narratives. When represented in visual and audiovisual form, they amplify the message of caring for nature. “As an artist, I believe nature is an endless source of creativity. This contest is a beautiful way to celebrate the harmony of sound and visual,” she said.

Ramon Tungka expressed his excitement about reviewing submissions from across Indonesia. “I believe art can be a bridge between humans and nature. This contest is not just about photos or videos, but about how we reflect on nature within ourselves and strive to make a positive impact on the planet,” he noted.

The Suara Alam Nusantara album is available on Spotify. Contest registration opened on November 1 and will close on November 14, 2025, via ykan.or.id. Winners will be announced on 4 December 2025. For more information, visit Instagram @ykan_id.