Science Training and Coral Reef Monitoring at Yayasan Jejak Kaki Konservasi
All science training is conducted by the Indonesian Science Officers of Yayasan Jejak Kaki Konservasi, who is our Indonesian project parter in Raja Ampat. A "Yayasan" is the word used for a charitable foundation, in Indonesian. And the words Jejak Kaki Konservasi, mean Foot Print Conservation.
The "Science Training Program" (STP) offers volunteers the opportunity to learn basic coral reef biology and ecology as well as identification of some of the amazing coral, invertebrate, fish and plant species that are commonly spotted throughout Raja Ampat and coral reef across the Indo- Pacific.
Whether you’re a budding marine biologist, avid diver or just someone who wants to try something new, the science program caters to all with an interest in marine ecosystems. Volunteers having participated in the science program often find that their whole diving experience is taken to another level of enjoyment owing to their new understanding and ability to identify what they are seeing.
The science program consists of a 1-2 week "Reef Check" course, covering a series of topics through classroom style lessons, where volunteers are given the tools they need to identify reef species. Following on from the “land lessons” are a number of in “water lessons”, where volunteers and trained members of Jejak Kaki Konservasi staff dive together, testing and refining their newly acquired identification skills, discussing any difficulties and celebrating successes following the dive.
Having completed the science training program, volunteers are able to join the Jejak Kaki Konservasi reef survey and monitoring teams, who conduct numerous research dives across many of Raja Ampats amazing coral reefs. This helps Jejak Kaki Konservasi to achieve one of their goals, which is to assist local government and communities to conserve and protect the coral reefs of Raja Ampat.
Jejak Kaki Konservai works in collaboration with NGO Reef Check Indonesia, and are the only Yayasan/Organisation performing these kind of Reef Check Surveys in Raja Ampat.
