Students of the D4 Marketing Management Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), through the Sustainable Development Education course, organized a Beach Clean-Up Action at Goa Cemara Beach, Bantul. This activity represents a tangible academic contribution to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water, which emphasizes the importance of preserving coastal and marine ecosystems.

The action focused on reducing waste along the shoreline while simultaneously providing public education on the dangers of plastic pollution to coastal environments. Through this initiative, students sought to encourage behavioral change among local communities and tourists, promoting greater responsibility in waste management, especially in coastal areas that are highly vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Collaboration was a key factor in the success of the activity. UNY students worked alongside course lecturers, local youth organizations (Karang Taruna), and various environmental communities. This multi-stakeholder synergy created an inclusive and impactful beach clean-up action, aligning with the principles of sustainable development that require participation from all sectors of society.

In addition to the clean-up activities, the team conducted interviews with visitors, vendors, and beach managers to gather perspectives on cleanliness issues. Tourists welcomed the initiative as it enhanced their comfort and overall experience, while vendors acknowledged that a clean beach has a direct positive impact on visitor numbers. The beach management also expressed appreciation for the students’ initiative. “We hope this activity can foster collective awareness so that coastal communities continue to actively maintain beach cleanliness for the sake of a healthy marine ecosystem,” said Bayu, Head of Goa Cemara Beach Management.

Through this initiative, UNY reaffirms its commitment to supporting the global environmental conservation agenda. Going forward, similar activities will continue to be promoted as part of the university’s responsibility to strengthen the sustainability of coastal ecosystems while empowering local communities.