Living on Air Initiates Mangrove Planting for a Healthier Coastal Environment
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Living on Air has launched a mangrove planting initiative aimed at creating a healthier coastal ecosystem. The program emphasizes collaboration with local communities—from seedling collection to planting and maintenance—to promote shared responsibility for environmental preservation.
One of the key partnerships in this initiative is with an elementary school in West Sumbawa, which runs a mangrove nursery as part of its extracurricular activities. By collaborating with the school, living on Air hopes to demonstrate that environmental stewardship can also create economic opportunities. Through this partnership, the students’ nursery gains exposure to local businesses and begins to see sustainability as part of a circular economy that benefits both people and nature.
The next step in the program was selecting a suitable planting location. Together with Laskar Cinta Alam, the team assessed three potential sites: in front of living on Air, Ballona Beach near the small stone island, and the river estuary where fresh and saltwater meet. The area in front of living on Air, consisting mainly of sand without mud, proved unsuitable for mangrove growth. The stony island area offered better soil conditions, while the estuary presented challenges due to the presence of grazing cows and goats near Kertasari.
On planting day, living on Air collaborated with Eastern Opportunities to organize the event, ensuring that volunteers had enough snacks and stayed hydrated. The team planted 25 mangrove seedlings in the stony area of Ballona Beach to test their resilience against high tides. Local culinary support came from a Kertasari resident who prepared traditional snacks such as Baruasa (a local pancake) and Jalangkote (a savory pastry similar to samosas), alongside living on Air’s signature pizza.
Two days after planting, most of the seedlings remained standing strong, although four were lost due to unstable poles. The team quickly adapted, replanting additional seedlings using a new method that secured them with cable ties under the supervision of Ibu Andi Irma from Laskar Cinta Alam.
Looking ahead, living on Air recognizes the importance of continued collaboration to ensure the long-term impact of this initiative. By involving diverse partners, the program can access valuable resources, technical expertise, and shared knowledge—creating a stronger foundation for sustainable environmental action across West Sumbawa’s coastlines.
