Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) students Tannaya Viratama Anjani, Fatya Alifah Zahra and Andre Amaral Zein Ulhaq, through the course Sustainable Development Education, recently carried out a reforestation and outreach program titled “Forest Restoration for Increasing Biodiversity” in Desa Kalitengkek, Kecamatan Gebang, Kabupaten Purworejo, Central Java.

The program aimed to raise community awareness about the importance of sustainably managing forests. UNY students visited local residents and conducted outreach activities about environment-based forest management — including using household organic waste to make compost.

Alongside outreach, the students also carried out reforestation by planting seedlings in areas of the forest that had been cleared. This effort is expected to help maintain land cover, improve ecosystem quality, and enrich local biodiversity.

Village leadership expressed appreciation for the initiative. The Head of Desa Kalitengkek said he hopes the activity will not just be a one-time college project, but become a sustainable, long-term effort with lasting positive environmental impact.

One student participant also reflected positively, saying that the activity opened their eyes: forest conservation can begin from simple actions. When people can turn organic waste into compost, that is a real step toward caring for the environment. The student said they were happy to learn together with the villagers and contribute to sustainable development of the village.

UNY and its students hope to continue similar programs in the future — to strengthen environmental sustainability efforts while empowering local communities.