Abstract

The level of mangrove cover, as a natural protection against erosion and abrasion in coastal areas in Indonesia, continues to decline. Therefore, this paper argues for public awareness and economic empowerment through mangrove conservation using formal, informal, and non-formal educational methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibilities for the incorporation of formal, informal, and non-formal sectors of environmental education into mangrove conservation in order to develop creative economy. The paper combines a qualitative approach, with a literature study. The loss of mangrove forests due to extensive destruction is used as a case study to examine methodologies for the development of better environmental education and creative economy. An Action Plan in which all stakeholders can play essential roles was created for environmental education activities. This paper discusses the empowerment of communities, to create environmental awareness, using the cases from the decline in mangrove cover in Indonesia. Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.