HUMAS FAHUTAN – In commemoration of World Environment Day on June 5, 2026, the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, organized a Tree Planting Movement involving various stakeholders from academia, government institutions, alumni organizations, community groups, and conservation area managers. The event was held within the Faculty of Forestry campus and served as an important occasion to strengthen collective commitment toward environmental conservation and raise awareness of the vital role of trees in sustaining life.
The event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Arida Susilowati, along with members of the faculty leadership, including the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni Relations, Dr. Tito Sucipto; the Vice Dean for Resources and Finance, Dr. Luthfi Hakim; and the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Dr. Anita Zaitunah. Also present were faculty members, administrative staff, deans from various faculties within USU or their representatives, the Head of Durin Tonggal Village, Yuda Pohan as Chair of the Forestry Alumni Association (IKAHUT), and student organizations of the Faculty of Forestry, namely Rain Forest, Rimbapala, and BKM.
The activity also received support from Taman Eden 100, represented by its Head Manager, Marandus Sirait, along with several members of the management team. The participation of these diverse stakeholders reflected a strong spirit of cross-sector collaboration in preserving and restoring environmental quality.
The program began with remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Arida Susilowati. In her speech, she expressed appreciation and welcomed all guests who attended and participated in the event. She emphasized that tree planting is one of the simplest actions that can generate significant impacts on the sustainability of life.
“This occasion is a very valuable opportunity for all of us. Trees not only provide ecological benefits as oxygen producers, carbon absorbers, and guardians of environmental balance, but also offer various social and economic benefits that can be enjoyed by both present and future generations,” she stated.
The next speech was delivered by Marandus Sirait, who shared insights about Casuarina sumatrana, an endemic tree species of the Lake Toba region. He explained that the species holds significant ecological, historical, and cultural value for communities surrounding Lake Toba. Beyond its role in maintaining local ecosystems, the tree also forms part of the identity and natural heritage of the Lake Toba area, making its conservation particularly important.
On this occasion, Marandus Sirait symbolically presented various tree seedlings to the Faculty of Forestry USU, including Casuarina sumatrana seedlings, as a form of support for reforestation efforts and biodiversity conservation. The handover ceremony took place on stage and was witnessed by all participants. Following the speeches, the event continued with the planting of various tree species around the Faculty of Forestry campus. Faculty leaders, invited guests, lecturers, administrative staff, students, and representatives of participating institutions all took part directly in the planting activities.
The event was conducted in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. Participants actively engaged in every stage of the tree-planting process and interacted with one another in a spirit of solidarity and environmental stewardship. The trees planted are expected to grow well, provide ecological benefits to the campus environment, and serve as a lasting symbol of the shared commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable future.
The Tree Planting Movement concluded with a communal meal and entertainment session attended by all participants. This gathering provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships among stakeholders while reinforcing collaboration in supporting future environmental conservation initiatives.
Through this activity, the Faculty of Forestry USU once again reaffirmed its role as an educational institution that not only focuses on advancing forestry science and technology but also actively promotes concrete actions that support sustainable development and environmental conservation.
The event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) through efforts to increase vegetation cover as a form of climate change mitigation, SDG 15 (Life on Land) through biodiversity conservation and environmental greening initiatives, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) as reflected in the collaboration among universities, village governments, alumni organizations, community groups, and conservation area managers to create a more sustainable environment for future generations.
Several media outlets also highlighted the Tree Planting Movement held in commemoration of World Environment Day 2026 at the Faculty of Forestry USU.