PELAKITA.ID – Yusran Nurdin Massa, born on January 1, 1979, is a distinguished environmental specialist with over two decades of dedicated work in mangrove conservation, coastal rehabilitation, and sustainable fisheries in Indonesia.
His career spans leadership roles in local, national, and international NGOs, where he has pioneered groundbreaking initiatives in ecological restoration, governance, and community-based conservation. His unwavering commitment has significantly contributed to the protection and sustainable use of Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems, benefiting both the environment and coastal communities.
Yusran holds a Master of Environment (M.Ling) in Environmental Management and a Bachelor of Marine Science (S.Kel) from Hasanuddin University.
His academic foundation in ecological sciences, coastal resource management, and environmental policy has enabled him to implement large-scale mangrove restoration projects effectively.
Early Career and Contributions
Yusran’s journey in environmental conservation began during his university years when he volunteered with the Indonesian Marine Conservation Foundation (Yayasan Konservasi Laut Indonesia).
After graduating, he advanced to become the Manager of the Research and Development Division and was later appointed as the Executive Director of the foundation. Simultaneously, he worked as a consultant for WWF Indonesia, further deepening his expertise in marine conservation.
Mangrove Action Project (MAP) Indonesia and Blue Forests
In 2010, Yusran joined Mangrove Action Project (MAP) Indonesia as a Senior Environmental Project Officer, leading a 400-hectare mangrove rehabilitation program in the Tanakeke Islands, South Sulawesi.
His responsibilities included planning and executing rehabilitation efforts, facilitating field schools, and advocating for sustainable policies under the Restoring Coastal Livelihoods (RCL) program in collaboration with Oxfam.
With the rebranding of MAP Indonesia to Blue Forests in 2015, Yusran was appointed as Executive Director, a position he held until 2018.
During his tenure, he successfully managed various ecological assessment and mangrove restoration programs across Papua, Kalimantan, Riau, and South Sulawesi.
Since 2018, he has continued his work with Blue Forests as an Environmental Technical Advisor, focusing on sustainable environmental solutions and policy development.
He has several key projects and achievements. For instance, USAID LESTARI Project (2015-2020) – Led governance and multi-stakeholder participation efforts in integrated mangrove and swamp forest management in the Lorentz Lowlands.
Building with Nature (BwN) Project (2015-2020) – Played a key role in revitalizing Northern Java’s eroding coastlines and aquaculture ponds through nature-based solutions and Coastal Ecosystem Resilience (CER) Project (2014-2017) – Facilitated the ecological rehabilitation of 100 hectares of degraded mangrove forests in Tanakeke Island.
Inculding the Oxfam – Restoring Coastal Livelihoods (RCL) Project (2010-2014) – Implemented 400 hectares of ecological mangrove rehabilitation and established 72 Coastal Field Schools to enhance community-based sustainable coastal management.
Consultancy Roles and Technical Expertise
Yusran has provided expert consultancy services for esteemed environmental organizations, including Landesa, The Pure Project, Lestari Capital, and the World Bank’s Mangrove for Coastal Rehabilitation (M4CR) Project.
His expertise has been instrumental in developing policies, technical recommendations, and feasibility assessments for mangrove rehabilitation and community-driven conservation initiatives.
Recent engagements include, Advising Landesa on revising Indonesia’s coastal land rights regulations. Supporting the World Bank’s M4CR Project in launching national-scale mangrove rehabilitation programs and collaborating with Indonesia’s Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to accelerate the national target of rehabilitating 75,000 hectares of mangroves across four provinces.
Leadership in Marine Conservation
Beyond mangrove management, Yusran has played a significant role in marine conservation. As the Director of Yayasan Konservasi Laut (YKL) Indonesia, he led community-based marine conservation initiatives, investigated destructive fishing practices, and assisted local governments in developing marine spatial plans.
Yusran’s commitment to environmental sustainability remains steadfast. His work continues to drive positive change in Indonesia’s coastal and marine ecosystems by integrating scientific knowledge, traditional wisdom, and policy innovation.
As climate change and environmental degradation pose increasing challenges, his leadership remains essential in shaping a sustainable future for Indonesia’s coastal communities and ecosystems.
Through his extensive contributions, Yusran Nurdin Massa has cemented his legacy as a leading force in mangrove conservation and coastal restoration, leaving a lasting impact on Indonesia’s environmental landscape.
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Writtem by Kamaruddin Azis, founder of Pelakita.ID
