The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), brought together 60 young people at the North Sumatra Regional Forest Youthverse Resilience Summit (FYV Resilience Summit), organized by the Ministry of Forestry through the Center for the Development of Forest Conservation Youth (Pusgenri), under the Agency for Extension and Human Resource Development (Badan P2SDM), together with the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA Sumatera Utara). The event took place at USU Campus 2 Bekala, Simalingkar A, Deli Serdang, on Saturday (October 3, 2026).
Carrying the theme “Youth for Biodiversity Resilience: Young People Taking Action, Natural Wealth Preserved,” the event, held on October 2–3, 2026, served as a platform for learning, capacity building, and idea development for young people to understand forest conservation, biodiversity, forest and land fire prevention and management, and innovation in the forestry sector.
The FYV Resilience Summit began with field learning activities at Sibolangit Nature Tourism Park (TWA Sibolangit). Participants were introduced to the richness of biodiversity through observations of various plant and animal species while gaining a direct understanding of the importance of maintaining ecosystem sustainability.
The learning experience continued with a visit to Manggala Agni Operations Area I Sibolangit. At this location, participants received education on forest and land fire prevention and management. These field experiences provided participants with a more comprehensive perspective on conservation challenges, ranging from biodiversity protection to efforts to address threats to forest ecosystems.
As the activities continued at the Faculty of Forestry USU, participants and guests received a warm welcome from the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si., accompanied by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Dr. Anita Zaitunah, S.Hut., M.Sc., and Vice Dean for Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Tito Sucipto. Lecturers and education personnel from the Faculty of Forestry USU were also present.
The event opened with a Tor-Tor dance performed by participants, creating an atmosphere of togetherness while introducing the richness of local culture to everyone in attendance. The program continued with remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU.
In her remarks, Prof. Arida expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Forestry, BBKSDA Sumatera Utara, Pusgenri, Badan P2SDM, the LEVERAGE team, the organizing committee, and all participants for making the Faculty of Forestry USU a platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas about the future of Indonesia's forests.
“North Sumatra's forests possess extraordinary biodiversity. We hope that young people will take an active role in preserving the environment and the natural wealth we have,” said Arida.
According to her, Indonesia's natural wealth is both an asset and a responsibility that requires the involvement of young people. Therefore, activities such as the FYV Resilience Summit are considered important for building awareness, capacity, and the courage of young people to participate in environmental conservation efforts.
Support for the activity was also conveyed by the Head of BBKSDA Sumatera Utara, represented by the Head of its Technical Division, Dr. Ichwan Muslih, S.Si., M.Si. He viewed the event as an initial step for young people to take on the role of change agents in forest and environmental conservation.
“BBKSDA Sumatera Utara supports activities like this. This activity is a starting point for participants to become agents of change in environmental and forest conservation,” said Ichwan.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager of LEVERAGE (Law Enforcement for Sustainable Viable Ecosystems and Biodiversity Resilience through Multi-Sectors Engagement), Ir. Achmad Pribadi, M.Sc., encouraged participants to use the event as an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and build collaborative networks.
“By participating in this activity, you will certainly gain benefits for yourselves and the surrounding environment. Make the most of this opportunity to learn, build networks, and generate ideas that can make an impact,” he concluded.
The FYV Resilience Summit was officially opened by the Head of the Center for the Development of Forest Conservation Youth (Pusgenri), Ministry of Forestry, Luckmi Purwandari, S.T., M.Si. In her remarks, Luckmi explained that the learning process applied the State–Pressure–Response (SPR) framework. This framework encourages participants to understand environmental conditions (state), identify pressures or factors causing problems (pressure), and determine appropriate solutions or actions (response).
Luckmi emphasized that forest conservation is not solely the responsibility of people working in the forestry sector. Everyone can contribute according to their respective competencies and fields.
“Those who respond or take action to conserve forests do not necessarily have to come from forestry programs. Everyone can contribute according to their respective fields. We must collaborate to conserve forests together for a sustainable future,” she explained.
Also present were the Head of the Development of Environmental Awareness and Nature Conservation Behavior Division of Pusgenri, Ministry of Forestry, Ernawati Eko Hartono, S.Hut., M.Si.; Head of the Regional I Pematangsiantar Human Resource Development Center (Balai P2SDM), Soleh Sena Santika, S.E., S.Hut., M.Si.; representatives of BBKSDA Sumatera Utara; Manggala Agni Operations Area I Sibolangit; BPKH Region I; the Regional I Pematangsiantar Human Resource Development Center; the academic community of the Faculty of Forestry USU; the LEVERAGE team; and other invited guests.
A total of 60 young people from various institutions and community groups participated in the event. They were young people with an interest in forestry, nature conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
One of the main activities of the FYV Resilience Summit was the presentation of creative ideas developed by participants. Their ideas received direct feedback from the stakeholders in attendance, namely Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si.; Dr. Ichwan Muslih, S.Si., M.Si.; Ir. Achmad Pribadi, M.Sc.; Luckmi Purwandari, S.T., M.Si.; and Soleh Sena Santika, S.E., S.Hut., M.Si.
The session provided a productive dialogue between young people and stakeholders. Participants were not merely positioned as recipients of knowledge but were also given opportunities to present ideas, receive feedback, build networks, and develop potential actions that could benefit the environment.
The spirit of togetherness was also evident during breaks outside the main sessions. During coffee breaks and rest periods, participants, speakers, organizers, and invited guests interacted warmly and sang together. These moments demonstrated that environmental conservation movements grow not only from knowledge but also from relationships, collaboration, and a sense of solidarity.
Through the spirit of “Youth for Biodiversity Resilience,” the FYV Resilience Summit encourages young people to move beyond being recipients of knowledge and become active participants in learning, developing ideas, and taking concrete action to protect forests and biodiversity.
On this occasion, the Faculty of Forestry USU also established cooperative relationships and signed cooperation documents with relevant parties. This cooperation represents a concrete step toward strengthening inter-institutional synergy and opening broader opportunities for collaboration in forestry, biodiversity conservation, human resource development, education, research, and other activities that support environmental preservation.
The event also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration across generations, institutions, and disciplines in addressing environmental challenges. From the learning sessions to the ideas generated by participants, the FYV Resilience Summit is expected to serve as a starting point for a youth movement committed to preserving Indonesia's natural wealth.
These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land, through strengthening young people's capacity in conservation, biodiversity protection, and the prevention and management of threats to forest ecosystems. Collaboration among the Ministry of Forestry, BBKSDA Sumatera Utara, the Faculty of Forestry USU, LEVERAGE, and other participating parties also advances SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, providing a foundation for sustainable environmental management.