HUMAS FAHUTAN - The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) once again organized the 2026 Forest Ecosystem Introduction Field Practice (Praktik Pengenalan Ekosistem Hutan/P2EH) at Tangkahan, Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), Langkat Regency, over ten days from June 26 to July 5, 2026. This field-based academic program involved 145 students from the 2024 cohort, accompanied by faculty supervisors and 12 field assistants, as part of an experiential learning initiative aimed at strengthening the competencies of future forestry professionals.
P2EH is a compulsory course for fourth-semester students, designed to provide hands-on learning experiences within a tropical forest ecosystem. Through this field practice, students integrate the theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with real-world field conditions, enabling them to develop a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable forest management.
Throughout the program, students participated in a variety of practical activities, including natural forest vegetation analysis, timber and non-timber forest product inventories, wildlife inventories and their applications, camera trap installation, identification of ecosystem service and ecotourism potential, as well as socio-economic studies of communities surrounding forest areas. These activities were carried out through direct observation, measurement, species identification, and field data collection.
Beyond enhancing technical competencies, P2EH also provides students with valuable insights into the relationship between forest ecosystem conservation and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Through direct engagement with both the natural environment and local communities around the conservation area, participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of forest management that balances ecological, social, and economic functions.
Field-based learning is not solely focused on academic achievement but also on character development. Throughout the ten-day program, students were encouraged to demonstrate discipline, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to adapt to challenging environmental conditions. To support the intensive field activities, participants also took part in a structured physical fitness program designed to maintain their health and endurance throughout the course.
The implementation of P2EH reflects the Faculty of Forestry USU's commitment to producing graduates who possess both strong academic foundations and practical competencies aligned with the demands of sustainable forest resource management. By learning directly in the unique ecosystem of Gunung Leuser National Park, students are expected to strengthen their observational, analytical, and decision-making skills as preparation for future challenges in forestry and conservation.
This program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through practice-based learning, SDG 15 (Life on Land) by strengthening human resource capacity in conservation and sustainable forest management, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the utilization of Gunung Leuser National Park as a natural laboratory that supports higher education, research, and collaborative learning.
