In the spirit of commemorating National Education Day, Thrive Conservation participated in the “Rote Malole Education Festival 2025”—a collaborative initiative between the Teacher Working Group (KKG), the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, and the Bantu Guru Belajar Lagi (BGBL) Foundation. Through this participation, Thrive Conservation presented educational content on Rote’s rich marine biodiversity, highlighting charismatic species such as manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles. This session not only provided scientific information but also built awareness of the importance of marine ecosystem conservation among students, teachers, and the local community.
Children showing interest in learning about coral reef fish species. Photo by Zulfa Ulya Muwafaqi.
Rote Ndao Regency is known for its stunning marine biodiversity, including mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks. Unfortunately, much of the community—especially children—are unaware of how abundant and valuable their marine resources are. To address this, Thrive Conservation hosted an interactive booth designed to convey information about marine ecosystems in a fun and engaging way. The booth aimed not only to educate but also to instill a sense of responsibility for preserving the ocean.
Getting to Know Charismatic Marine Species
Through engaging visuals and easy-to-understand narratives, visitors were introduced to several key marine species found in the waters of Rote, such as:
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Manta Rays – Known as the “dancers of the sea,” these graceful creatures glide through the water with wing-like fins. Frequently sighted in Rote, manta rays play an important role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance.
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Whale Sharks – Giant but gentle, these ocean behemoths are a major attraction in marine tourism.
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Sea Turtles – Rote’s coastline is one of the nesting grounds for sea turtles in East Nusa Tenggara. In addition to nesting, Rote’s waters are believed to be important feeding and resting habitats for turtles.
Learning Through Play
The educational approach was designed to be fun and engaging. Thrive Conservation delivered educational content through a game. Before playing, visitors were invited to engage with an interactive explanation of Rote’s marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting marine species, using information boards and a short video showcasing Rote’s underwater beauty.
An information board highlighting marine biodiversity in Rote. Photo by Zulfa Ulya Muwafaqi.
After learning the basics, visitors played the game by tossing a ball into cups containing questions. If the ball landed in a cup, they had to answer the question inside. Each correct answer earned a small prize as a token of appreciation, while those who didn’t get the answer right received stickers featuring marine animals like turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks.
Visitors enthusiastically participating in the ball toss game. Photo by Zulfa Ulya Muwafaqi.
Visitors were highly enthusiastic about this educational game. Many who were previously unfamiliar with sea turtles were soon able to explain why protecting them is important. “I’m happy and proud because I found out that Rote is home to so many amazing marine animals,” said one visitor.
The Next Generation of Ocean Guardians
More than just delivering information, this activity was a tangible step toward fostering love and responsibility for Rote’s marine treasures. By collaborating with the education sector, Thrive Conservation hopes to continue nurturing a younger generation that not only knows about but also takes pride in and actively protects Rote’s underwater wealth.
Through this showcase event, the Thrive Conservation team successfully reached 130 visitors with information about marine biodiversity in Rote and the organization’s role in marine ecosystem research. This success underscores the importance of Thrive Conservation’s continued presence in similar events to boost awareness and community involvement in ocean conservation.