News Published: 19 October 2026

Banua Botanical Garden organised the “Banua Goes to School” event at SRMP 20 Banjarbaru on 29–30 September 2026, with the theme “Trees in the School Environment”. The event was attended by 100 students. Noor Laili Aziza, a researcher at Banua Botanical Garden who was also a speaker at this event, encouraged students to perceive trees as superheroes because they serve as the lungs of humanity, natural air conditioners, giant umbrellas, and homes for animals. For this reason, protecting trees is synonymous with protecting our own lives.

The first day was devoted to the concept of “seeing seeds in a new light.” What if the seeds inside student’s snack packaging turned out to be potential trees? Students learned that conservation doesn’t have to start with large-scale projects, but rather with small, everyday actions. For instance, not throwing seeds away with plastic trash, but collect and plant them, especially the seeds of the Kasturi mango (Mangifera casturi Kosterm.), a plant native to South Kalimantan that is now extinct in the wild. Seeds are living matter that can grow into trees, true superheroes.

On the second day, students visited Banua Botanical Garden for an educational tour and an ecoprint workshop. During the tour, they explored the greenhouse and conservatorium, learning about medicinal plants and discovering endemic and native plant species of South Kalimantan. These activities introduced students to plant diversity, traditional plant uses, and the importance of biodiversity conservation. The first activity, students visited the greenhouse and conservatorium at Banua Botanical Garden. They learned about medicinal plants and explored endemic and native plants of South Kalimantan, gaining a better understanding of plant diversity and the importance of conservation.

After the guided educational tour, students put their knowledge into practice through eco-printing. They learned to identify different types of plants and their benefits, then practiced transferring the natural shapes and colors of leaves onto fabric. This activity demonstrated that conserved plants can also be useful if utilized wisely.

Within two days, the students’ perspectives began to change. Seeds that had previously been thrown away along with plastic are now seen as future trees. Plants that were once admired solely for their beauty are now understood for their benefits and value. This is why the Banua Botanical Garden is present in schools, so that the message of conservation reaches children directly where they learn.

Protecting nature is everyone’s responsibility, not just the staff at the botanical garden. Through the small steps we take together, every seed we save today will grow into a tree that provides shade and benefits future generations.