Voice for the Forest - The Workshop was held on Friday and Sunday, October 3-4, 2025, at the American Corner of the Universitas Andalas Central Library, involving 17 students from various majors, including biology, language and culture, agriculture, and international relations.

The participants received training from five speakers: Ayu Rachmawati, M.Sc from the Communication Studies Program at Padang State University, discussed “Environmental Journalism” as a medium for social change and ecological awareness. Robert Choi Sudarno Sakombatu, M.Pd., representative of the Uma Baca Jaraik Literacy Community, Sipora, Mentawai Islands, who was also a speaker at a public lecture at the Department of Biology entitled “Mentawai Past, Present, and Future: Local Perspectives on Nature and Culture.” During the session, Robert described the Mentawai people's spiritual connection with nature and the challenges of preserving traditions amid modern changes.

After a short break, the workshop continued with a presentation by Febrianti, an environmental journalist, on the topic of “The Impact of Deforestation on the Sea in Mentawai,” explaining the link between forest destruction and the decline of coastal ecosystems. Dr. Rizaldi, M.Sc., a primate expert from the Department of Biology, presented about “Infographics and Posters for Primate Conservation,” emphasizing visual communication as a means of advocacy. Wulan Fauzanna, S.S., M.EIL., Ph.D. from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, presented “Framing Environmental Issues: A Linguistic Perspective,” which reviewed the role of language in shaping public awareness of language in reporting on the environment.

The second day of the event focused on group work to develop environmental communication materials that combined scientific, cultural, and visual approaches. The resulting works included an article about Mentawai that highlighted the community's philosophy of maintaining the balance of nature, an infographic about the condition of endemic primates and the impact of deforestation in the Mentawai rainforest. Conservation campaign posters with messages advocating for the conditions in Mentawai, such as “Save Simakobu, Save Mentawai” and “Sustainable Forests, Protected Primates.” Short videos lasting 2-3 minutes highlighting ecological changes and messages of environmental conservation. These works were presented to the speakers and received appreciation for their creativity and sharp environmental messages.