REx Trip to Lombok: Roots to Reefs 2024/25!
This field trip is an immersive 11-day program held from 29 December 2024 to 10 January 2025 designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the practice of Ecological Restoration and the science of Restoration Ecology, in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). This unique field trip focuses on experiential learning, allowing participants to engage directly with the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia while exploring the complex interplay between human activities and ecosystem health. The program highlights the interconnectedness of communities, local economies, and coastal ecosystems, from mangroves to seagrass and coral reefs.
Throughout the trip, students will participate in community-based restoration and research efforts within the mangrove ecosystems around Lombok, Indonesia. These efforts are critical for ecosystems services such as supporting wildlife habitat, mitigating climate change (blue carbon), and supporting local economies.
We will live and work with the research team at the Sustainable Oceanic, Research and Conservation Field School (SORCE). The program includes visits to old-growth mangroves, nurseries where mangroves are being propagated, and active restoration sites around the Sekotong Region of southwest Lombok. Students will participate in hands-on field sampling, mangrove planting, nursery planting work, and drone surveys. These activities are designed to build practical skills in ecological research and restoration, including drone mapping and field data analysis, essential for effective restoration monitoring and conservation efforts.
This program integrates the importance of cultural context in conservation. Students will experience the local culture through guided tours of rice paddies, coffee and rice production, and visits to local markets. These experiences will help them understand how traditional practices have impacted natural mangroves and how promoting community livelihoods is integral to successful ecological restoration and mangrove protection.
A key component of the program is the collaboration with students and professors from the University of Mataram (UNRAM). 10 NUS students and 10 UNRAM students will explore mangroves, conduct hands-on restoration and collect data together, and work side by side on data analysis and presentations on this learning journey. Together, all 20 participants will work on presentations and short films to communicate their conservation and research findings. The culmination of this collaboration is a symposium hosted by the UNRAM Marine Science Department, where students will present their research and engage in discussions with local experts.
This academic exchange will foster cross-cultural understanding and enhance this collaborative learning experience. By integrating mangrove restoration with economic and community development insights, the REx STEER Lombok program provides students with a holistic perspective on coastal ecosystem conservation and research. Students gain practice in building valuable research skills, including field data collection, ecological restoration techniques, drone flying, field and spatial data analysis, and conservation communication filmmaking. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how sustainable practices can drive both environmental and economic objectives, equipping them to become leaders in their chosen field.
Key focus areas:
● Connecting mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystem ecology
● Hands-on mangrove restoration and monitoring with local communities
● Working with local Indonesian students on mangrove research
● Snorkelling in coral reefs and seagrass meadows
● Learning about traditional ways of life in Lombok, such as growing and harvesting rice, salt and coffee
Learning Objectives
Understand the ecological and economic importance of mangrove ecosystems: Participants will explore various mangrove restoration sites, study old-growth mangroves, and learn about associated sustainable industries such as salt production and crab/lobster farming.
Develop practical field research skills in coastal ecosystem restoration: Participants will engage in field sampling, drone mapping, and mangrove planting across multiple sites, gaining hands-on experience in ecological data collection and analysis.
Collaborate in a cross-cultural academic setting: Participants will work alongside the SORCE NGO conservation team and students and professors from the University of Mataram (UNRAM) to conduct research, analyse data, and present findings in a symposium, fostering teamwork and intercultural exchange.
Apply ecological research methods to real-world conservation efforts: Participants will learn and practice ecological field skills, including drone mapping and data analysis, to contribute to ongoing mangrove restoration projects.
Reflect on the integration of ecological, cultural and economic learning experiences: Through activities such as community-led cultural tours and local market visits, participants can reflect on how cultural context influences conservation and restoration practices.
Date | Description |
29 December, 2024 | Tour of Coffee Plantations Transportation from Airport to Kembang Kuning Village |
30 December, 2024 | Tour of Waterfall, Rice Paddies, Local Market, and Monkey Forest |
29 – 30 December 2024 | Accommodations (Pondonk Tetbatu Cottages) + meals in Kembang Kuning |
31 December, 2024 | Trip from Kembang Kuning to Mataram (NUS) and Trip from Mataram to SORCE (with both NUS and UNRAM students) Bagek Kembar mangrove nursery and restoration project and tour |
31 December – 6 January | Accommodations + meals at SORCE Field School |
6 January 2025 | Trip from SORCE back to Mataram (Accommodations at Hotel in Mataram from 6th to 9th January)
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10 January, 2025 | Airport transfer from Mataram |
How to apply?
