The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), participated in the Merah Putih Festival organized by Universitas Sumatera Utara to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The event was held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the USU Rectorate Office Courtyard in Medan and involved the academic community in various activities, including a booth decoration competition.

For the competition, the Faculty of Forestry USU involved administrative staff and students in creating a creative booth that represented the faculty’s forestry identity. The booth’s decorations featured a variety of organic materials and natural accessories, including bamboo leaves, wild orchids, and other natural materials creatively arranged to enhance its appearance.

The use of natural materials not only strengthened the booth’s visual character but also reflected the creativity of the academic community in introducing the richness and potential of forest resources. The natural atmosphere gave the Faculty of Forestry USU booth a distinctive appeal amid the lively Merah Putih Festival.

In addition to the decorations, the Faculty of Forestry USU booth showcased various processed forest products, including Wikstea, a healthy beverage made from agarwood, as well as ecoprint products from Nauli Ecoprint, which utilize natural plant elements in their production process. These products were offered at affordable prices, making them accessible to the academic community and festival visitors.

The presence of these products provided an opportunity to introduce the potential of forest resources to the campus community and demonstrate how they can be developed into value-added products through innovation and creativity. Responsible utilization of forest resources is also an important part of promoting awareness of natural resource management while maintaining sustainability.

For the students and administrative staff involved, the booth decoration competition and bazaar were more than just a competition to celebrate Independence Day. The activities provided a space to develop creativity, collaboration, and the ability to process and present forestry-related potential in an engaging way to the public.

The Faculty of Forestry USU’s participation in the Merah Putih Festival also strengthened the spirit of togetherness and nationalism within the university. Through the combination of creativity, forest resources, and the spirit of independence, the event conveyed the message that love for Indonesia can also be expressed through environmental awareness and responsible utilization of natural resources.

The activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through the promotion of value-added forest-based products, and SDG 15: Life on Land, through strengthening appreciation for biodiversity and its sustainable utilization.

Through the Merah Putih Festival, the Faculty of Forestry USU continues to encourage its academic community to create, collaborate, and introduce forestry potential through innovative approaches, while fostering awareness that protecting forests and the environment is a meaningful contribution toward a sustainable Indonesia.