In realizing the tridharma of higher education, the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) carried out a community service program. The initiative took place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Penatarsewu Village, Sidoarjo, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs’ program FPK Peduli (Plant 50 Trees) as part of an environmental conservation effort. The activity was also part of the broader community service program SALMON (Social and Learning Activity with Morality for Nation), in partnership with the Forestry Agency of East Java Province in Sidoarjo. In this collaboration, the Forestry Agency contributed 50 free herbal plant seedlings, which were symbolically handed over to Regita Aurelia, the person in charge (PIC) of the FPK Peduli program.
The activity was conducted on an open land area measuring 4 m × 10 m (a total of 40 m²) in Penatarsewu Village. Previously an unused plot, the area has now been transformed into a productive herbal garden named Asmantoga Pandelasewu. The event began with a short session on planting techniques and sustainable cultivation methods, followed by the symbolic handover of seedlings to representatives of the Asmantoga Pandelasewu community group. Participants then planted various family medicinal plants such as ginger, cajeput, tomato, and chili in rotation. The activity also invited the local residents of Penatarsewu to actively participate in planting, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for environmental sustainability.
A total of 25 participants took part in this community service event, consisting of members of the SALMON team and local community volunteers. This intergenerational collaboration strengthened community engagement in environmental preservation programs. According to Regita Aurelia, PIC of FPK Peduli, the initiative is expected to become the starting point for herbal garden conservation in Penatarsewu Village. “Through this program, we aim not only to provide tangible benefits such as accessible medicinal plants for households, but also to raise awareness about the importance of nature-based health and to empower local potential,” she stated. The program demonstrates how students of FPK UNAIR integrate academic values with social action, bridging knowledge and community empowerment for sustainable development.
This initiative reflects FPK UNAIR’s commitment to community development and environmental stewardship in line with Universitas Airlangga’s mission to serve society through education, research, and community engagement. By fostering collaboration among students, local communities, and government institutions, the program embodies the spirit of sustainable living and supports Indonesia’s broader environmental goals. It also highlights the essential role of young generations in promoting ecological awareness and implementing real actions for environmental conservation.
