Ruddy T. Pua stands among three Magnolia sulawesiana trees he planted two decades ago
Building on its foundational work in Central Sulawesi, The Ethnobiological Society of Indonesia (PMEI) is proud to announce a strategic expansion of its conservation efforts to North Sulawesi in 2025. This new phase will focus on the critically endangered endemic tree, Magnolia sulawesiana, through a powerful collaboration with local experts and national park authorities.
The initiative represents a significant scaling-up of PMEI's mission, moving from intensive study and community engagement in one area to applying that successful model to safeguard highly threatened species in a new biodiversity hotspot.
The 2025 program centered on a multi-faceted collaboration with two key partners:
1. Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (TNBNW) in Kotamobagu: The project will leverage the park's extensive experience in forest ecosystem management and its network of community forestry groups.
2. Ruddy T. Pua, Kalpataru Award Recipient: Based in South Minahasa, Pua is a retired Ministry of Forestry official and a renowned conservationist who received the Kalpataru, Indonesia's highest environmental award, directly from the President of the Republic of Indonesia. He brings invaluable, hands-on experience in the successful propagation of Magnolia sulawesiana.
A Comprehensive Conservation Strategy
The collaboration execute a clear, action-oriented strategy to prevent the extinction of Magnolia sulawesiana:
Sourcing Propagation Material: The initial phase involves intensive fieldwork to locate and collect viable seeds (biji) from remaining wild Magnolia sulawesiana trees across their native habitat.
Seedling Production: Under the expert guidance of Ruddy Pua, the collected seeds will be nurtured and propagated to produce a robust stock of healthy seedlings (bibit).
Replanting and Ecosystem Restoration: The final and crucial stage will be the reintroduction of the seedlings into their natural ecosystem. This will be conducted in collaboration with Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Kotamobagu. The replanting efforts will actively involve the National Park's fostered Forest Farmer Groups (Kelompok Tani Hutan), ensuring local community participation and building long-term stewardship.
This ambitious three-year program (2024-2026) is made possible through the generous support and funding of the Franklinia Foundation, an organization dedicated to the protection of threatened trees worldwide.
The Ethnobiological Society of Indonesia is a professional organization dedicated to the study of complex relationships between humans, cultures, and biological environments. PMEI promotes interdisciplinary research, conservation, and the sustainable use of biological resources through collaboration between scientists, academics, government, and local communities.