Konstantinus Saleo: Inspiring a Love of Nature

Konstantinus SaleoTaken from Konstantinus' Legacy - Awakening the Love for Nature by Oceans Hope

Batanta is one of the four major islands of Raja Ampat in Indonesia and is home to conservationist and educator Konstantinus Saleo. When Konstantinus was a boy, his father instilled in him a deep love of nature and taught him about the significant role that we as human beings have to protect it. In 2010, whilst on patrol in the forest, Konstantinus’ father was killed by illegal loggers. Since then, Konstantinus has dedicated his life to honoring his father, enhancing conservation efforts in his community and teaching others how to do the same.

Konstantinus runs a homestay on the beach of Batanta, and sustainability is at the heart of everything he does. He spends most of his time planting coral, sea grass, and mangroves to restore areas damaged by fishing, liveaboard boats, plastic being thrown in the ocean, and climate change.[1]

However, he knows that if we are going to save the oceans, it will take more than one man. Konstantinus knows that to protect marine life, it is imperative that future generations understand the importance of conservation work. He set up a conservation school, Anak Pesisir Raja Ampat, for the children in his community to learn about the damage that dumping plastic causes as well as how humans can restore the areas affected by human activity.

Konstantinus also runs a coral restoration project in which he installs coral trees in desolated areas, increasing the diversity of the marine population. He explains

Before we started, we looked for a place with rubble and no fish. Nothing, nothing was there. But now it works. The coral grew big and there are many fish, and that place lives again.[2]

Konstantinus' Legacy - Awakening the Love for Nature

Oceans Hope, a film production company created by passionate ocean advocates and filmmakers Daniel Bichsel and Chris Keller, made a short film to highlight Konstantinus’ work. The film is a finalist for the 2025 Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award at the MY HERO International Film Festival.

Watch Konstantinus' Legacy - Awakening the Love for Nature here.

About the Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award

MacGillivray-Freeman Films Educational Foundation’s One World One Ocean Campaign sponsors the ‘Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award’ annually at the MY HERO International Film Festival. One World One Ocean is a global non-profit campaign designed to connect people emotionally to the world's ocean. Their mission is to raise awareness of ocean degradation, to inspire audiences through cinematography and to spark a global movement to protect our seas.

Sylvia Earle is a world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer, leader, and research scientist who has led more than 70 expeditions, logging more than 6,500 hours underwater. Formally chief scientist of NOAA and now a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, she was awarded the 2009 TED Prize for her proposal to establish a global network of marine protected areas, called “hope spots.”

Said Greg MacGillivray, Chairman of MacGillivray Freeman Films, “Sylvia Earle is our ocean hero, and we hope this award inspires aspiring filmmakers to shine a spotlight on other dedicated people from all walks of life who are working tirelessly on behalf of our oceans."

Read more about the award, and its sponsors, here.

To see previous winners of the MY HERO Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award, or enter for 2025, go to: myhero.com/sylvia-earle-ocean-conservation-award

About the MY HERO International Film Festival: 

The My Hero Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to showcasing films that celebrate the power of the human spirit. Hosted by Eva Haller, a prominent philanthropist and advocate for social change, the festival provides a platform for filmmakers to share inspirational stories of everyday heroes. Thanks to generous sponsors, prizes are awarded to elementary, middle school, high school, college and professionals in a variety of categories including documentary, narrative, music video, animation, experimental, and more.

The festival aims to inspire audiences to recognize the heroism in their own lives and encourage positive actions in their communities. Learn more.

[1] /konstantinus-legacy-awakening-the-love-for-nature

[2] Ibid.