Introduction:

Since 2021 and continuing to the present day, the Natural Resources Management (NRM) program of the Department of Development and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has actively participated in partnerships aimed at tackling sustainability challenges. Under the leadership of Professor Nophea Sasaki, Dr. Takuji W. Tsusaka, and Prof. Rajendra P. Shrestha, the NRM program has forged an ongoing and deeply impactful partnership with Suphattraland. This agritourism farm is not merely a site for sustainable agriculture; it is a living example of how harmonizing agricultural practices with biodiversity conservation can lead to healthier ecosystems.

Located in Rayong Province and spanning an impressive 800 rai (about 128 hectares), Suphattraland was first established in 1972 by Mr. Suwat and Mrs. Suphattra Fapratanchai. The garden began as a labor of love and transformed over the years to house up to 25 types of tropical fruit trees such as durian, mangosteen, and rambutan. Initially opened to tourists in 1997, Suphattraland has evolved to become a year-round learning source for visitors, blending tourism with education through guided garden tours. The farm has received multiple accolades, including the prestigious Kinaree Award, cementing its reputation as a quality tourist destination.

The Beginnings: 2021

In 2021, the NRM program embarked on its first collaborative endeavor with Suphattraland. Staff and students from the program were dispatched to the farm to conduct drone-based mapping. This initial activity involved categorizing fruit trees, analyzing various land use types, and estimating carbon stocks. The drone-based mapping served as an innovative approach to understanding the land's productivity and ecological value. This phase could be vividly captured through photos of drones in action and the corresponding aerial imagery that they produced.

Building on the momentum of 2021, the following years saw an expansion in the scope and depth of our engagement. From 2021 to 2023, the NRM program continued to send both students and faculty members to Suphattraland for more specific activities. One key endeavor was conducting comprehensive forest measurements with a particular focus on assessing carbon stocks in 2022. Given the growing concern about climate change and carbon emissions, this activity holds significant societal and scientific importance. Photographs of students and faculty engaging in forest measurement, using tools and equipment, can serve as powerful proof of the hands-on learning and research involved in this partnership.

Beyond these field-based research ventures, the NRM program has also played a role in engaging in policy dialogue, both within the academic community and with stakeholders. Conversations around ecosystem management, rural livelihoods, and sustainability are informed by the data and insights gathered through our work at Suphattraland. Photos from workshops, policy dialog sessions, or community engagement activities would add authenticity and depth to the narrative.

By directly working to maintain and extend the biodiversity of Suphattraland's ecosystems, this partnership aligns closely with our commitment to preserve and expand existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, especially those under threat. From its beginnings in 2021 to its current activities, this partnership serves as a model that intertwines academic rigor with real-world sustainability outcomes.