Coastal Field Day and Sustainable Coastal Management Talk Show

Kuri Caddi is a coastal hamlet located in Nisombalia Village, Marusu Subdistrict, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The community's livelihoods are closely connected to coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests, aquaculture ponds, and fisheries. Over the years, the area has experienced mangrove degradation and land-use changes, particularly due to the expansion and development of aquaculture ponds, affecting coastal ecosystems and the natural resources that support local livelihoods.

For nearly a decade, Blue Forests (Yayasan Hutan Biru) has worked alongside the Kuri Caddi community to rehabilitate degraded mangrove areas and promote sustainable coastal management. Through Ecological Mangrove Restoration (EMR), the community has been actively involved in restoring natural hydrological conditions, supporting mangrove regeneration, and managing rehabilitated areas. These efforts have been complemented by community-based field schools focusing on sustainable aquaculture, permaculture, food security, and livelihood resilience.

Kuri Caddi has gradually developed into a living learning site for integrated coastal ecosystem management, demonstrating how mangrove restoration can be connected with sustainable resource use and community livelihoods. Community initiatives, including regulated mangrove crab harvesting, integrated mangrove–aquaculture systems, and the development of locally based livelihood activities, illustrate how ecological recovery and economic opportunities can support one another.

The experiences from Kuri Caddi provide valuable lessons on the importance of long-term community engagement, collective resource management, and integrating ecological restoration with livelihood development. These experiences will serve as the foundation for the Coastal Field Day and Sustainable Coastal Management Talk Show, where community members will share their knowledge, practices, and achievements with other coastal communities, government representatives, researchers, and stakeholders to encourage broader learning and collaboration on sustainable coastal management.

The Coastal Field Day, scheduled for August 25–27, 2026, will provide an opportunity for communities to showcase their experiences, achievements, and lessons learned through interactive activities, field visits, and knowledge exchange. These lessons will subsequently be shared with a broader audience through the Sustainable Coastal Management Talk Show on September 6, 2026, in Makassar. The discussion will highlight the importance of collaboration, supportive policies, and effective governance in sustaining mangrove rehabilitation outcomes.