Empowering Environmental Literacy: A School-Based Initiative to Conserve Endemic Freshwater Fish in Bangka Island

Abstract

Bangka Island in Indonesia harbors seven endemic freshwater fish species that are increasingly threatened by deforestation, tin mining, land-use change, and pollution. These species—many of which are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List—inhabit fragile peat swamp ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining local ecological balance. To raise awareness and promote conservation efforts, an educational outreach program was conducted on June 12, 2024, at SD Negeri 13 Pangkalanbaru, involving 22 fourth-grade students. The program followed a three-stage format: pretest, interactive educational session, and posttest. Educational materials included multimedia presentations and interactive discussions on the ecological importance and conservation needs of Bangka's endemic freshwater fish. Results revealed a significant increase in participants' knowledge, with average test scores rising from 51.36 (pretest) to 85.45 (posttest). Students demonstrated strong engagement and enthusiasm throughout the session, with many expressing an eagerness to share their newfound understanding with family and peers. The program’s success reflects the effectiveness of participatory and contextual environmental education in fostering awareness and knowledge retention among young learners. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of integrating local biodiversity topics into formal education and highlights the potential role of students as community change agents. Future programs are encouraged to adopt experiential learning methods, such as field visits, and to involve wider community participation for sustainable conservation outcomes.