Conference Field Trips (Thursday June 22)
Field trip descriptions are listed below. There is a $25 fee for the field trip, payable at the time of registration.
Click here for a map of the areas covered by the trips.
In addition to the field trips listed below, two optional field trips will be offered as well, the Golden Hours trip (June 20, 21, and 23), and a trip to Lombok Island (24-25 June, additional details to be announced).
Abuan (Mitra Bali) – Tampak Siring District and Kenderan (Patasari Woman Farmers, Tegalalang District): Fair Trade, Arts and Women-Managed Subak and Farming System : Half-Day
Approximate distance from Ubud: 30 km (Map: Location 7)
Travel time required from Ubud: 45 min to 1 hour, half day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background
Abuan (Excerpt from the Mitra Bali website: www.mitrabali.com )
Established in 1993, Mitra Bali is a member of IFAT (International Federation for Alternative Trade, www.ifat.org ) and adheres to the principles of 'Fair Trade'. The management of the foundation is completely transparent and it is the collective decisions of the producers, representing the members and shareholders, which decide the foundation's operations and plans.
A non-governmental, non-profit organization, the Mitra Bali Foundation acts as a market and export facilitator for small craft producers who are missing out to large, well-established, commission paying businesses in the 'great Bali tourism bonanza'. Without direct access to the Bali road arteries, it is difficult for those producers who have little working capital to access or even accept large orders without a fair deposit and prompt payment for goods. Yet, the contribution of these artisans to the development of the island is substantial. Their artistic output represents the visible face of Balinese Culture, which, ironically, helps to draw tourists and buyers to Bali .
Kenderan Village – Patasari Woman Farmers
The lush green and golden color of paddy fields in Kenderan Village may elude you from the idea that women farmers have lent their hands to help bringing prosperity to this village. As many other Balinese women, Kenderan women are hard workers, striving to balance the lines between their roles as mothers, farmers, and other duties. In 1980s, a group of Kenderan women under the leadership of Ibu Ni Wayan Srija formed the Patasari Women Farmers. Ever since, the group has tried to improve the productivity of their agricultural products (mostly rice) for the betterment of their descendants.
Activities:
Participants opting for Abuan will learn of how the Foundation produces sustainable woods from their self-grown out forests. In Kenderan, participants will learn of how the local women farmers struggle with their daily agriculture lives. The difference between Kenderan and Batukaru (location 9) is that Kenderan still uses chemical fertilizers, while Batukaru has shifted to organic farming. Comparisons between the two sites would be interesting.
Additional activities and precautions:
Paddy field trekking for Kenderan. Bring appropriate trekking/walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and camera! Plus, shopping for environmentally friendly merchandises in Mitra Bali. Precaution: just watch for your expenses, as Mitra Bali sells various exquisite souvenirs!
Bali Barat National Park Pemuteran, Gerokgak District - Full Day
Approximate distance from Ubud: 150 km (Map: Location 1)
Travel time required from Ubud: 3 hours, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants 
Location background:
In the Bali Barat National Park (TNBB – Taman Nasional Bali Barat), participants will explore the various ways community-based coral reef conservations are facilitated and supported by the WWF Indonesia. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to visit the Pemuteran village which harbors a coral reef transplantation project in the form of a 111 meters length iron cage, surged with low voltage electricity.
Activities:
Participants opting for Pemuteran and Bali Barat National Park will learn the community-based efforts for coral reef conservations and the community-based coral reef transplantation project.
Precautions: Sunscreens and hats are crucial, as Bali 's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns. Extra sandals, instead of formal shoes, might be good for walking along the beach.
Les (Bahtera) – Tejakula District - Full Day
Approximate distance from Ubud: 100 km (Map: Location 2)
Travel time required from Ubud: 1.5 hours, full day trip
Capacity: 20 (min) - 60 (max) participants
Location background:
The village of Les in Tejakula District of Buleleng Regency is a pilot project for a sustainable ornamental reef fish trade. Previously cyanide fishers, the local fishermen have converted their unsustainable methods into environmentally friendly ones under the tutelage of Bahtera Nusantara, a local Denpasar-based NGO. Presently, their products are being exported to various destinations, including the United States , Switzerland , and several other EU countries
Activities:
Participants heading to Tejakula will explore the whole journey of sustainable ornamental fish business in Les, starting from the very first steps of encouraging the fishers to stop their cyanide methods, to the up-to-date strategies to export the ‘green' fishes for international market.
Precautions : Sunscreens and hats are crucial, as Bali 's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns. Extra sandals, instead of formal shoes, might be good for walking along the beach.
Negara (Pemda Jembrana), Perancak (Kurma Asih) – Jembrana Region - Full Day
Approximate distance from Ubud: 100 km (Map: Location 10) 
Travel time required from Ubud: 2.5-3 hour, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background:
Negara
Jembrana Regency is the first regency in Bali to implement free education and health care for all its inhabitants. The fact that Jembrana depends on non-tourism income (farming, fisheries, agriculture) has made the efforts of this easternmost region of Bali very adoptable by other more prosperous regencies in the Island of Gods, especially Badung and Denpasar (which enjoy a reasonable amount of annual tourist income).
Jembrana
A small village in the southern part of the region, Perancak is a nesting site for olive Ridley's turtles ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) and leatherback turtles ( Dermochelys coriacea ). Since 1997, WWF Indonesia had been facilitating Kurma Asih, a local community-based organization on the proper conservation of sea turtles. Up to 2,000, more than 7,000 turtle hatchlings were released to the sea, with approximately 80% hatching rate. In 2002, considering that the Kurma Asih was mature enough for self-management, the WWF resigned from the site. Ever since, the local villagers continue to protect the sea turtle. Participants opting for Perancak will learn various experiences of the locals in conducting the conservation efforts.
Activities:
Interesting discussions between participants, Negara officials, and Perancak locals are expected during the trip. It would be interesting to learn how a moderate regency such as Jembrana exceeds other more lucrative regencies such as Badung and Denpasar in health and education services. The persistence of Perancak villagers to conserve sea turtles without continuous help from other NGOs is also intriguing to explore.
Additional activities and precautions:
Sunscreens and hats, as Bali 's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns. Extra sandals, instead of formal shoes, might be good for walking along the beach.
Nusa Ceningan (Wisnu) – Nusa Penida District - Full Day
Approximate direct distance from Ubud: 30 km (Map: Location 5)
Travel time required from Ubud: 2.5 hours (land and sea), full day trip
Capacity: 20-40 participants
Location background
Ceningan is tucked behind the bigger, touristy island of Lembongan on Bali 's east coast. Life here is hot and relaxed. The seaweed farmers get up early to go out to sea, and rest in the heat of the early afternoon. Later, as the day cools, they go out again, and their boats can be seen crowding around their plantations, like a floating marketplace.
Ceningan's residents have had to fight for this life however. A few years ago the local government proposed to sell the island to resort developers. Only unwavering local opposition stopped the plan, a win for both the community and the environment.
Ceningan is small and at certain times of the year, quite dry. Water supply is becoming an issue. Yet Ceningan is extremely pretty. Exploring the island, from the coral reef on the eastern tip to the cave of nesting swallows on the western, with lots of stops for chats with friendly locals in between, makes for a wonderful day.
Activities:
Participants opting for Nusa Ceningan will learn of the community-based conservation efforts to preserve the island from mass-tourism development, without leaving behind the need to earn income sustainably from their coastal resources.
Additional activities and precautions : Sunscreens and hats are crucial, as Bali 's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns. Extra sandals, instead of formal shoes, might be good for walking along the beach.
Plaga , Catur (Coffee Production, Organic Farming) Full Day
Approximate direct distance from Ubud: 30 km (Map: Location 6)
Travel time required from Ubud: 1-1.5 hours, full day trip
Kiadan Pelaga 
Situated 1100 meters above sea level, southeast of Mt Mangu, cool and green Kiadan Pelaga is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the coastal towns. The vegetation here is lush, and can be seen stretching away onto distant forested mountainsides. Closest to the village, however, the earth is devoted to the village's ‘brown gold'- coffee.
The coffee beans, both Arabica and Robusta droop from branches, starting green, then ripening into sunset yellows, oranges and reds. Picking the red berries is quick work, but it is just the beginning of the process. Farmers then sun-dry the coffee beans, turning them regularly. When they are dry, the beans are husked. Roasting is next, in the village ovens, and lastly grinding, releasing heady aromas which remind us what all the hard work was for.
The village of Catur
Catur lies in the highland of Kintamani in the Bangli Regency. The village has produced export-quality organic coffee, juices made of pineapple, guava and mango, as well as other organic agricultural products.
In Catur, participants will be shown the thorough processes of coffee production, from the seeds to the ready-to-pack coffee beans, as well as shopping for various agricultural products. Results of the village participatory mapping will be explained along with lessons learned. Furthermore, participants can learn more of Subak system in Catur.
Serangan (local community), Sanur (Sanur Development Foundation – YPS), Sarbagita Final Dumpsite (Suwung) – District of South Denpasar 
Approximate distance from Ubud: 30 km (Map: Location 8)
Travel time required from Ubud: 45 min to 1 hour, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background:
Serangan
Originally an island off the Sanur village in Bali , Serangan is a mixture of experimental development combined with the traditional life of the original inhabitants. In 1996, the Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) expanded the island to 481 ha, approximately three times of its original size, with the original intention of turning the island into a high class tourist area. Although the project is currently halted, the remnants of unsustainable mass development still exist, among others as scars on the barren calcareous land visible from the air.
Nonetheless, the island extension also provides ‘added values' to surfers, who enjoy the newly formed surges created by the beach nourishment project. In addition, wild migratory birds are often found resting at the deserted lagoons, an added attraction to bird watchers during the Serangan sunset every afternoon.
Since the 70s, Serangan is also a centre for coral mining and reef fish exploitation in Bali . The unsustainable practice of coral and fish mining in this village has escalated the degradation of Serangan coral reef ecosystems. In response, several coral restoration projects have been initiated in the village. Facilitated by the GEF-SGP (Global Environmental Facilitation – Small Grant Programs) and the Bahtera Nusantara, the village's own communities has established the Karya Segara Coastal Fishers Association (Kelompok Nelayan Pesisir Karya Segara - KNPKS). The program also coordinates experts from the local Environment Agency and the Denpasar-based Warmadewa University .
Sanur
Yayasan Pembangunan Sanur (Sanur Development Foundation) is an initiative established by the people of Sanur village as a community effort for cooperative development. To date, the foundation has many assets, including foreign exchange, laundry, transportation, BPR (Bank Perkreditan Rakyat/Community Debt Bank), and others. Every year, the foundation holds an annual member meeting for transparent reporting.
Suwung
Another initiative is noticeable in Suwung, a mangrove area south of Sanur. Proposed in 2003, Sarbagita is a joint regional solid waste management effort for the regencies of Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, and Gianyar (hence, the acronym). Designed to reduce the waste problems of the four southern regencies in Bali, the Sarbagita project is expected to process approximately 4,000 m 3 of Denpasar's waste, 1,000 m 3 of Badung's, 1,400 m 3 of Gianyar's and more than 600 m 3 of Tabanan's. However, despite the high investments for the project (approximately US$ 10 million), Sarbagita still faces various critiques due to its centralised approach (as opposed to the de-centralised and participatory waste management) and location (in the buffer region of south Denpasar).
Activities:
Participants going to South Denpasar will explore the unique lessons learned from Serangan Island , the local and regional waste management, and how the local communities in Sanur manage their own resources cooperatively.
Precautions:
Prepare appropriate walking shoes to go around Serangan and Suwung, plus sunscreens and hats as the heat of Denpasar's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns.
Subak Tabanan, Batukaru (Samdhana), Jatiluwih – District of Penebel
Approximate distance from Ubud: 75 km (Map: Location 9)
Travel time required from Ubud: 1.5-2 hour, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background:
Being the center of rice production in Bali, the role of Tabanan Regency is very important for food security in the Island of Gods , providing good water quality and quantity to the region and the sustainability of the Subak system. Participants heading to Tabanan Regency will explore the Subak system for plantation crops, as well as enjoy the lush green terrace of the paddy field in Jatiluwih.
Heading further up to Mt. Batukaru , where the Great Temple of Batukaru settles in tranquility, participants will be able to visit the Prana Bali Resort, which houses the Samdhana Foundation, a newly formed NGO designed to address local organic farming and community empowerment. Interested visitors are also able to take a short pilgrimage to the Great Temple , to enjoy the serenity and stillness of the sacred site.
Activities:
Participants opting for this region will enjoy the lavish green (or gold – depending on the season) paddy fields, as well as the ever-existing Subak system in Tabanan, the heart of rice cultivating activities in Bali . The local Samdhana institute will also explain their strategies to encourage organic farming in the neighborhood.
Precautions: Don't forget to bring your walking shoes for trekking or sarong and decent clothing for entering the temple.
Tenganan - Pegringsingan and Sibetan (Wisnu)– Districts of Manggis & Bebandem
Approximate distance from Ubud: 30 km (Map: Location 4)
Travel time required from Ubud: 1.5 hours, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background
Tenganan - Pegringsingan
On the east coast of Bali , surrounded by high mountains, lies an ancient fortress village called Tenganan. Dating back to at least the 11 th century, Tenganan preserves certain ways life lost to the rest of Bali . It is regarded by the Balinese as a ‘senior' village.
Around Tenganan is one of the most intact tropical forests in Bali . Tenganan's residents have their own environmental management laws based on sustainability and the aforementioned interconnectivity. The local community members explain that they actively conserve biodiversity because such a wide variety of plants are needed for Tenganan's regular rituals and ceremonies.
Many other local beliefs and rulings distinguish Tenganan from the rest of Bali , such as equal land rights between women and men, and the forbidding of marriage outside the village so that traditional lands are not passed to outside hands.
Sibetan
Close to the foot of the majestic and still active Mt Agung, Dukuh Sibetan villagers are only too aware of their precarious existence. When the volcano erupted in 1963, sand and rocks blanketed the village farmlands, making a return to normal agriculture impossible. One of the few crops that were able to survive in these new conditions, however, was salak - the snake fruit, already present in the area for hundreds of years.
Thus, the farmers of Dukuh Sibetan became ‘seed-savers' and have worked to make their diversity of salak species their specialty. There are now 14 varieties of this strange fruit grown by the Dukuh Sibetan people, ten regarded as rare. The locals have developed a cottage industry making Bali 's only salak wine, sweet and surprisingly tasty!
Activities:
Participants heading to Tenganan and Sibetan will discover various ways of community-based organic farming and marketing, as well as shopping for organic food products.
Additional activities and precautions:
Forest trekking. The locals know the forest around Tenganan intimately. A trek into the mountains will take you past many small hidden temples. Your guide will tell you about the tress used for building, for foods and for medicines. You'll also learn about local rulings for the use of the trees- for example certain fruits (such as durian) which can only be collected after they fall from the tree naturally. At the top you'll get a birdseye view of Tenganan and a refreshing forest drink straight from the heart of the sweet enau fruit. Don't forget to bring appropriate walking footwear and insect repellents for your convenience.
Tulamben (local community) – Kubu District
Approximate distance from Ubud: 135 km (Map: Location 3)
Travel time required from Ubud: 2.5 hours, full day trip
Capacity: 20-60 participants
Location background:
A very famous diving site, Tulamben houses the wreck of the legendary Liberty ship. Hit by a Japanese torpedo during the World War II, the 120m American ship now hangs in a 90 ? angle at the slope. The eruption of Mt. Agung in 1963 resulted in the flow of magma towards the sea, pushing the ship further down to a depth of 3 to 29 meters below the surface. Over the years, the ship has harbored various species of corals and fishes, including Napoleon wrasse and barracuda.
To date, local villagers have decided to ban fishing activities from the vicinity of Tulamben, in an attempt to maintain the fish populations in the diving site. This initiative was triggered by local community members, making it an interesting study case for community-based management.
Activities:
Participants opting for Tulamben will learn how the locals empowered themselves and initiated the locally managed marine tourism region of their own.
Precautions: Sunscreens and hats are crucial, as Bali 's coastal regions provide enough heat to cause dehydration and sunburns. Extra sandals, instead of formal shoes, might be good for walking along the beach.