Dozens of Yong Generation Learned about Nature Conservation in P-WEC

Training of Nature and Wildlife Conservation (better known as PEKA-SL) held in Petungsewu Wildlife Education Center (P-WEC) from 8 to 10 June 2012, had attracted dozens young people from many regions and universities in Indonesia. 40 university students and NGO activists from Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor, Surabaya, Malang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Bali, Bengkulu, and Medan; attended the biennial event. Participants enjoyed the activities during the training which was located on P-WEC's center in the foothills of Kawi Mountain, Malang Regency – East Java.

For three days, PEKA-SL participants learned about nature conservation materials: forest and wildlife conservation, bird inventory, education of nature conservation, eco-tour guiding, and nature photography. Keynote speakers included Djuna Eveirgh (a professional nature photographer), Rosek Nursahid (Chairman of ProFauna Indonesia), Qodirul Aini (P-WEC), Asep Purnama (bird watcher), and Suparno (nature tour guide).

Participants were not only given with theories but also asked to practice out, especially for the bird inventory, photography, and eco tour guiding sessions. Apart from the area of P-WEC center, participants also practiced out the theories on the villages and plantations nearby P-WEC. One of the locations was the Sumberbendo Sub-Village, next to P-WEC center, where participants practiced to be an eco tour guide while capturing the rural lives.

Qodirul Aini, the Project Manager of P-WEC, stated, "We are very glad that the youth are keen on learning about nature conservation. Not to mention that the participants came from different regions and NGOs in Indonesia." One of the participants, Kemal, said, "Such training like PEKA-SL is very important for university students to build their capacity because the materials of nature conservation trained in the event are not taught in the university."