A Forest Guardian from Central Sulawesi

Sepriani Jome, S.Hut., is one of the few female forestry extension officers in Central Sulawesi Province. For more than 11 years, she has dedicated her life to supporting and empowering communities living around forest areas, helping ensure that the forests under her guidance are managed sustainably.

In 2024, Sepriani participated in training provided through the RBP GCF REDD+ Output 2 programme, focusing on the identification, resolution, and mitigation of issues at the group level, as well as community facilitation methods. The training deepened her understanding of tenure-related conflict mapping and helped her develop persuasive approaches for working with communities in the field.

The training also strengthened Sepriani’s understanding of planning and problem-solving methods for challenges faced by the groups she supports, including disputes between members and group administrators, fraud, and group business management.

As a forestry extension officer, Sepriani regularly travels to visit 56 Forest Farmer Groups (Kelompok Tani Hutan/KTH) across 25 villages in Banggai and North Morowali Regencies. Following the training, she began incorporating discussions on potential tenure-related conflicts into her extension activities in the communities she supports.

Throughout her work, Sepriani, a mother of three, has contributed significantly to strengthening the groups under her guidance. Among her achievements is facilitating the Pandan Wangi group in developing a 10-year forest management plan.

She has also supported forest and land rehabilitation activities involving two community forestry groups and the Social Forestry (Perhutanan Sosial/PS) group in Koyoan Village, which have resulted in the planting of more than 90,000 trees. In addition, she has helped strengthen the capacity of Social Forestry Business Groups and facilitated business partnerships for six groups, three damar resin business groups and three rattan management groups.

Sepriani’s contribution as a forestry extension officer has been recognized by Aries Widjajanto, S.H., S.Hut., Head of the Toili Baturube Forest Management Unit (KPH), who describes her as a backbone of social forestry activities within the unit.

“Sepriani Jome is the backbone of our social forestry activities at KPH Toili Baturube. Her dedication and enthusiasm have made a tangible impact on the development of the groups,” he said.

Her achievements have also received recognition beyond her institution. Sepriani was awarded the Wana Lestari 2026 Award by Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni. The award is an official recognition from the Government of Indonesia for individuals, groups, government officials, and businesses that contribute to protecting, conserving, and developing Indonesia’s forest and environmental ecosystems.

Sepriani considers the award to be the result of collective efforts, particularly those of the community groups she supports, who have worked tirelessly to protect their forest areas.

“This award is not for me personally, but for all the communities supported by KPH Toili Baturube who are committed to protecting the forests and improving their livelihoods,” Sepriani said.

She also hopes that the recognition will encourage her fellow forestry extension officers to remain committed and motivated to do their best.

“An award should not merely be a ceremony. It should become a responsibility for the future to continue inspiring, guiding, and supporting farmer groups in managing forest resources so that they can improve their prosperity while maintaining forest sustainability,” she said.

Edy Wicaksono, Programme Manager of the PMU RBP GCF REDD+, also praised Sepriani’s contribution. According to him, the impact of her work is particularly evident in her support for indigenous communities in Maleo Jaya Village.

“The successful rehabilitation of 20 hectares of community forest in Maleo Jaya Village, involving indigenous community groups, is the result of Sepriani Jome’s hard work in mobilizing and supporting the groups, particularly in ensuring women’s participation. This was a challenging undertaking, especially given the location’s limited accessibility,” he said.

Edy further highlighted the visible results of sustainable forest management efforts at KPH Toili Baturube, particularly in supporting non-social-forestry Forest Farmer Groups, facilitating business partnerships, issuing the Forest Product Administration Information System (SIPPUH), and implementing forest and land rehabilitation activities.

“The achievements of KPH Toili Baturube are also a reflection of Sepriani’s success, as well as that of other forestry extension officers,” he concluded.