Work together for a better life. No ego for conservation.
We are an independent Indonesian non-profit that uses research, education, and open data to protect the country's marine ecosystems, and we work with anyone who shares that goal.
Jalapala Lestari Indonesia Foundation
Marine Conservation Indonesia is the public name of Jalapala Lestari Indonesia Foundation, an independent Indonesian non-profit based in Lombok Barat, West Nusa Tenggara.
Indonesia's coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and marine wildlife are among the most diverse in the world, and millions of people depend on them. We combine scientific monitoring, hands-on training, and citizen science to help protect them from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Conservation data should not stay in a drawer
Many organisations work on nature conservation, but too often their data is never shared with the people who make decisions. We are here to fill that gap.
Open, usable data
We collect monitoring data with standard methods and publish it through e-Coral, e-Turtle, and e-Elasmobranch Indonesia.
Working with government
We share our findings with government agencies so they can be used in regulation and management decisions, as a form of service to Indonesia.
Supporting every good effort
We support any conservation activity, no matter who runs it, as long as the program meets our scientific standards.
Where we are heading
Sustainable management of Indonesia's marine ecosystems, among the most diverse in the world, supporting both livelihoods and biodiversity.
Empower communities, scientists, and policymakers through collaboration to protect and restore Indonesia's marine ecosystems, keeping them resilient for future generations.
Five ways we protect the sea
Research & monitoring
Regular surveys of coral reefs, fish, megabenthos, seagrass, and sea turtles using standard scientific methods such as line transects and photo-ID.
Restoration
Coral planting, coral and sponge restoration structures, and coral nurseries that help damaged reefs recover.
Education & training
Field programs for students and divers, plus short courses on coral, seagrass, mangroves, and diving. Our RAISE Scholarship supports young coral reef researchers.
Citizen science
Anyone can help. With Find Your Turtle, divers and snorkellers upload turtle photos and we identify each individual by its unique facial scales.
Open data for decisions
Our reports and databases are public, so communities, researchers, and government can use the same evidence.
How we work
- No ego for conservation. Results for the ocean matter more than who gets the credit.
- Science first. Standard methods, careful data, honest results.
- Open by default. Data is shared, not kept to ourselves.
- Local people at the centre. Healthy seas and local livelihoods go together.
- Respect for wildlife. We observe without disturbing, touching, or chasing animals.
Our structure
Scientists, divers, educators, and volunteers working together under one foundation.
Based in Lombok, connected across Indonesia
Lombok & the Gili Islands
Our home base. Field programs run from West and North Lombok and the reefs of Gili Matra.
A national network
Through e-Turtle Indonesia, contributors send sightings from several provinces and many sites across the archipelago.
Partners
Oceans5 Dive Resort, Gili Air funds dives for our research and RAISE Scholarship and supports marine activities in Gili Matra.
Want to work with us?
Join a program, collaborate on research, or partner with us on a conservation project.