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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

Exploring conservation education and learning activities in

Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation area

L Y Irawan1*, M M R Devy1, Ditian1, W E Prasetyo1, M F M Kamal1, A Sahrina1,

Sumarmi1 and M Lelitawati2
1
Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl.
Semarang 5, Malang, Indonesia
2
Deparment of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri
Malang, Jl. Semarang 5, Malang, Indonesia

*Email: Listyo.fis@um.ac.id

Abstract. Bajulmati Beach is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the coastal area
of the southern Malang Regency. It has several unique tourism destinations to visit. A
community-based sea turtle conservation facility is one of them, which is managed by Bajulmati
Sea Turtle Conservation (BSTC). This paper aims to describe the environmental conservation
education and learning activities of BSTC. This is qualitative research conducted from primary
data. Data collection was done using three methods, namely 1) in-depth interview with key
informants, 2) focus group discussion (FGD) with LMDH, POKMASWAS, and BSTC, and 3)
field survey. The result shows that BSTC has been consistently practicing some main
environmental conservation actions in Bajulmati Beach. They are natural school (Sekolah Alam)
twice a week, sea turtle’s hatchling nest protection, clutch relocations, post-hatchling care, baby
sea turtle releases, and environmental conservation education for the locals and tourists. In
general, education and learning activities are increasing the environmental knowledge of the
targeted audience. Furthermore, it is slowly shaping a more positive environmental attitude
towards the locals.

1. Introduction
The southern coasts of East Java are ideal regions for sea turtle habitat and its conservation. One of the
great examples is located in the coastal area of Malang Regency. It is supported by the geomorphological
features of the area, such as sandy beach with gentle slope and rounded particles [1–3]. Bajulmati Beach
is the frontier of sea turtle conservation action in the area.
The administrative location of Bajulmati coastal area is in Gajahrejo Village, Malang Regency, East
Java. Bajulmati Beach has been successfully conserving the sea turtles and its habitat for the last seven
years. Accordingly, the sea turtle conservation effort potentially acts like the seed of a greater
conservation tree—there is a high chance for the action to be developed into one of eco-tourism
activities. Eco-tourism is a tourism approach that incorporates nature safeguarding, the collaboration
among the community and its nature conservation, and include vacationers with the neighborhood local
area to acquire the potential benefit [4,5]. Through eco-tourism activities, the advantages acquired are
the expanding economies of the seaside local area, acquiring information on sightseers, and the
possibility to be more capable in protecting sea turtles.

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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

Conservation can be translated into the preservation or maintaining the balance of the natural
carrying capacity, quality, function, and ability of an environment. The act of conservation has two main
objectives. Firstly, it is to support and improve the welfare and quality of human life better. Second, to
utilize the natural resources and its ecosystem without disrupting the dynamic equilibrium of the
ecology.
Bajulmati Beach is constantly developing as tourism destinations, yet still manage to uphold its
nature conservation spirit [6,7]. The uniqueness therefore offers a great tourism prospect to the area. If
the conservation area is classified as unique and rare, this will attract the attention of wider communities
and potential tourists.
Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation (BSTC)—a local community group that focus on sea turtle
conservation—create a Nature School (Sekolah Alam) to support eco-tourism activities through
education in the area. Because the school is located in the area of tourism, BSTC also targeting to
increase the environmental knowledge and awareness of the tourists regarding Bajulmati Beach
ecological condition in general [1,2]. Accordingly, the Nature School aims to foster environmental
character education in the community through the programs offered.
Nature School is a place of environmental education in BSTC facilities that are intended for the
general public for all ages and backgrounds. Nature School offers a holistic understanding of nature and
nature conservation to its students. The school uses natural environment of Bajulmati Beach as the
learning media itself. Therefore, the students can directly experience the related topics that Nature
School has provided before. In addition, learners can indirectly participate in conservation actions of
eco-tourism by increasing the economy of the coastal community. Eco-tourism also able to increase
environmental knowledge of the tourist and provide further potential better attitude change towards the
environment, and sea turtle conservation in particular.

2. Methods
This is qualitative-descriptive research. Descriptive research methods have two main characteristics
[8,9]: (1) anchoring on current or actual issues at the research period and (2) describing the facts of the
issues after interpretation. The discussion of this research is presented in the form of a description of the
words (description). The subjects of this research are sea turtle conservation actors in Bajulmati.
There is only one type of data in this study, namely primary data. Primary data were obtained by
using in-depth semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions, and neutral questioning based on a
qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by asking pre-prepared questions.
However, there are questions that were developed from the answers of the informants to be able to dig
deeper information.
The stages of the research data collection process can be detailed as follows. Firstly, literature Study
on the implementation of conservation and development of Nature School in the Bajulmati Beach
environment. Second, in-depth interviews and discussions with informant. Third, observations of
conservation activities carried out by informants as validation of interview data. The combination of
various data collection techniques is referred to as data collection triangulation.
The data obtained from the literature study will be confirmed and compared with the data obtained
from the informants. The data collection technique used in this study is the most likely technique to
obtain as much data as possible. The amount of data in question is used for the analysis stage.
The data analysis process starts from the beginning of the research (literature study). The data is
organized so that data that can support research activities and data acquisition in the field can be grouped.
After that, it was continued with the process of synthesizing data from interviews in the field and
literature study data. This analytical technique makes it easier for researchers to identify the causes and
implications of environmental conservation activities carried out by Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation
(BSTC). Then, the findings are presented descriptively to explain the development of natural schools in
BSTC facilities.

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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Initiation and beginning of the establishment of a nature school by Bajulmati Sea Turtle
Conservation (BSTC)
Attention to assure the insurance of sea turtles are increasing, one of which occurred in Malang. The
coastal area of Southern Malang is one of the natural habitats for sea turtles. One of them is located in
Bajulmati Beach. The local community therefore marked a small patch of area for sea turtle
conservation. Eggs hunting triggered the local residents to establish a conservation area as they became
knowledgeable and aware of the crucial role of sea turtle in the ecology. If one of the ecological chains
is broken, it will affect the entire way of life that develops in the biological system. Therefore, in order
to adjust and reduce poaching, the surrounding area is starting to build shelters.
Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation (BSTC) is a local-based community group that concerns in the
sea turtle population and ecosystem conservation. Based on the results of interviews, this conservation
effort started from the presence of physical and anthropogenic threats to the sea turtles and the
environment of Bajulmati Beach itself. The main physical or natural threat is high waves which is
common in the southern Java. It is because the winds and currents from the Indian Ocean move with
high speed and strength. As implications, the coastal area of southern Java faces high erosion (abrasion)
rate that threat the sea turtle nesting habitats. However, the threat to sea turtle population is exacerbated
by egg poaching actions. Therefore, BSTC undertakes conservation efforts with protection,
preservation, and sustainable utilization strategies.
BSTC already has plans for sea turtle conservation efforts for the short and long term. One of the
long-term conservation efforts is environmental education through the Nature School (Sekolah Alam).
The establishment of the Nature School aims to introduce the actual conditions in the field, everything
related to the environment at Bajulmati Beach. This includes lessons related to the phenomenon of high
waves. In another sense, the education in the Nature School is not only limited to sea turtle conservation
education.
Through the Nature School, BSTC also wants to increase knowledge and raise awareness of the
surrounding community to be able to understand the importance of preserving the marine and coastal
environment. It is hoped that this awareness can continue to involve the participation of the surrounding
community to be able to carry out conservation efforts. In addition, the Nature School also targets
tourists and visits from educational institutions to learn about the environment directly in nature. Nature
School is expected to provide environmental education more intensively and effectively to the
community and tourists. Accordingly, environmental knowledge and awareness also increases.
Furthermore, positive behavior change towards the environment can occur.
The meaning of the name of Sekolah Alam is education or knowledge obtained directly from nature.
In simple terms, BSTC defines a natural school as a means of learning from and in nature. This principle
was used by Mr. Sutari—the head of BSTC—as the basis for building the Nature School. He obtained
his knowledge from the observation of the natural phenomenon in the Bajulmati Beach environment. In
another sense, knowledge related to the environment and disaster is not obtained by Mr. Sutari from
formal education.
Based on the results of the interview, BSTC hopes that there will be further theoretical research
related to the knowledge that he get directly from nature. The goal is that the knowledge that will be
given at the Natural School has received scientific validation. In addition, further research activities are
also expected to be a separate lesson for managers. In the long term, the BSTC natural school can be
used as one of the leading tourist attractions on Bajulmati Beach. Local tourism actors plan to cooperate
in the management of eco-edutourism at Bajulmati Beach.

3.2. The learning model for environmental conservation composed by Bajulmati Sea Turtle
Conservation (BSTC)
BSTC uses outdoor learning as the learning model in Nature School. Learnings are mostly done in open
spaces, by utilizing the natural environment at Bajulmati Beach. Visitors who will learn about sea turtle

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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

conservation can explore the environment of Bajulmati Beach and the entire ecosystem in it. This is
intended to widen the knowledge and understanding of visitors about the natural potential of Bajulmati
Beach. Furthermore, it is intended to hone their ability to find the meaning of environmental
conservation in a broader term [10–12].
There are several reasons that make the Bajulmati coastal environment very important in
conservation studies, including:
1. As a place of learning
Natural environment is an object to be explained to visitors or in this case the individual or group
will learn about conservation. The learning activities held every Monday and Thursday at the
facility of BSTC.
2. As a learning resource
The environment is a real learning resource that is used by managers and visitors to know,
understand, and implement environmental conservation measures, especially in the effort to
conserve sea turtles. BSTC also use social media as a publication tool for the activities as well
as sea turtle conservation information. The contents include: sea turtle species, life circle of sea
turtle, sea turtle nesting and hatchling process, sea turtle’s egg relocation and preparation for
releasing the individuals back to the sea, as well as the ecological condition in the Bajulmati
Beach area.
The learning implementation carried out by BSTC has represented environmental-based learning that
contains comprehensive elements in learning including: empirical, caring, aesthetic, and social such as
experts’ descriptions [13,14].
1) Empirical, which provide the widest possible opportunity for learners to interact with the
environment directly. Here students can observe, understand, analyze, and interpret all
phenomena and resources found in the environment.
2) Caring, is to provide information and specific stimulus. The aim is to raise the awareness of
environmental sustainability importance. In this case, the students were directed in order to
understand that all the elements that exist in the environment interact and influence each other.
3) Aesthetic, which provide insight to students about the existence of natural resources and beautiful
tourist attraction to be enjoyed. Learners are given the understanding that the resources that are
able to meet the needs of non-physical human needs, such as landscapes, order a comfortable
and beautiful environment, give a sense of tranquility. This also instills a sense of responsibility
learners to natural resources and the environment.
4) Social, providing knowledge about the social, cultural, and economic life of the community in
the Bajulmati coastal environment.

3.3. Learning facilities at nature school

The Nature School activities are carried out at the sea turtle conservation facility owned by BSTC. These
facilities are in the form of sea turtle conservation facilities consisting of 1) sea turtle nesting tanks from
the relocation, 2) temporary ponds for hatched eggs, 3) ponds where adult sea turtles live, 4) sea turtle
graves, and 5) infographic boards containing information related to sea turtles and their conservation
efforts. More specifically, BSTC also provides library containing books related to the environment. The
Nature School library opens donations for tourists, the general public, or agencies who wish to donate
related books. If the learning material requires a more detailed explanation visually, Mr. Sutari as the
tutor uses the blackboard as a learning medium.

3.4. Challenges in developing the nature school

BSTC has two obstacles, namely funding and publication. Because BSTC is an independent community
group, funding related to conservation activities that are carried out continuously is a major obstacle. In
addition, publications related to these conservation activities have not been published optimally. As a
result, many of the people and prospective tourists of Bajulmati Beach are not aware of the existence of

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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

BSTC. In fact, BSTC can be used as an object of potential tourist attraction if it is developed with careful
planning and management.
Funding problems can be handled if the publication of sea turtle conservation efforts can be handled
properly. Widespread publications, especially online publications, will increase the exposure of BSTC
to various levels of society. It is possible that in the future there will be CSR (corporate social
responsibility), NGO (non-governmental organizations), government agencies, educational institutions,
communities, and the general public who want to help.
In addition to obstacles, BSTC also has challenges in managing sea turtle conservation efforts at
Bajulmati Beach. The challenge is the lack of synergy between BSTC and tourism managers related to
tourist management and tourist attraction objects. There are still differences in the vision of tourism
management in Bajulmati Beach between BSTC and tourism actors. This is because the community
does not yet have an awareness of the urgency of turtle conservation efforts on the Bajulmati beach.

4. Conclusion
The implementation of sea turtle conservation by Bajulmati Sea Turtle Conservation (BSTC) has
provided meaningful lessons to the community about the importance of continuously preserving nature.
Environmental-based learning in the form of eco-edutourism provided by Bajulmati beach has a role as
a place of learning and as a learning resource. Furthermore, the implementation of learning from the
nature has a positive regarding the empirical, caring, aesthetic, and social experiences. On the other
hand, there is a need for synergy between various policy makers and the community to continue to
manage the sustainability of conservation, especially sea turtles in the Bajulmati coastal environment.

Acknowledgement
This research would have been impossible without the support of the Research and Community Services
Institute (LP2M), UM under the PNBP UM 2021 grant.

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International Conference on Disaster Management and Climate Change IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 986 (2022) 012051 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/986/1/012051

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