Sustainable Utilization of the Mangrove Ecosystem in Mantehage Island, Wori District, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province

Mangrove ecosystems provide essential ecological, economic, and social services, yet they continue to face severe degradation due to coastal development, land conversion, and limited community awareness. This community service project was carried out in a coastal village with significant mangrove potential to promote an integrated and sustainable mangrove-based ecotourism model. The methods applied included socialization and environmental education, community training and empowerment, development of eco-friendly ecotourism infrastructure, and a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach. The results showed an increase in community awareness of mangrove conservation, diversification of local livelihoods through tourism services and mangrove-based products, and the establishment of basic infrastructure such as a 300-meter mangrove boardwalk, information boards, and bird-watching gazebos. Furthermore, a local forum was formed to ensure participatory management involving village authorities, community groups, and external partners. This initiative has demonstrated that integrated mangrove ecotourism development not only enhances environmental conservation but also improves local economic opportunities and strengthens social cohesion. The model is recommended for replication in other coastal areas with appropriate local adaptation, supported by continuous promotion, policy integration, and capacity-building efforts. Keywords: mangrove ecosystem, sustainable utilization, community empowerment, ecotourism development, North Sulawesi Abstrak Ekosistem mangrove memiliki peran penting dalam menyediakan jasa ekosistem yang mencakup aspek ekologi, ekonomi, dan sosial. Namun, tekanan akibat pembangunan pesisir, konversi lahan, serta rendahnya kesadaran masyarakat telah menyebabkan degradasi mangrove yang signifikan. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini dilaksanakan di salah satu desa pesisir dengan potensi mangrove yang besar, dengan tujuan mengembangkan model ekowisata mangrove terpadu dan berkelanjutan. Metode yang digunakan meliputi sosialisasi dan edukasi lingkungan, pelatihan dan pemberdayaan masyarakat, pembangunan infrastruktur ekowisata ramah lingkungan, serta pendekatan kolaboratif multi-pihak. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan peningkatan kesadaran masyarakat terhadap konservasi mangrove, diversifikasi sumber mata pencaharian melalui jasa wisata dan produk olahan mangrove, serta pembangunan infrastruktur dasar berupa jalur tracking mangrove sepanjang 300 meter, papan informasi, dan gazebo pengamatan burung. Selain itu, terbentuk forum lokal sebagai wadah pengelolaan partisipatif antara pemerintah desa, kelompok masyarakat, dan mitra eksternal. Inisiatif ini membuktikan bahwa pengembangan ekowisata mangrove terpadu mampu memperkuat konservasi lingkungan, meningkatkan peluang ekonomi lokal, dan mempererat kohesi sosial. Model ini direkomendasikan untuk direplikasi di kawasan pesisir lain dengan adaptasi sesuai kondisi lokal, disertai promosi berkelanjutan, integrasi kebijakan, dan penguatan kapasitas masyarakat. Kata Kunci: ekosistem mangrove, pemanfaatan lestari, pemberdayaan masyarakat, pengembangan ekowisata, Sulawesi Utara