The ecotourism concept was formulated by the government in the mid-1990s. The stretch of ecotourism began to be felt when tourism villages popped up everywhere. Banabungi Village, which is located in Pasarwajo District, has an icon of pride in Buton Regency, namely the asphalt mining company PT. WIKA BITUMEN and Banabungi port. Banabungi Village has many attractive locations, such as the Kali Lakua and Kali Sollo tourist parks, Rainbow Bridge, and the Dive Center. The community are mostly high school graduates and work as fishermen and traders. The natural conditions and environment are still very natural, with many ethnic plants typical of the coastal area, such as weeds and other shrubs. These plants have not been used economically and grow wild everywhere. The purpose of this community service activity is to utilize the potential of endemic plants so that they can have high economic value. The method used is to provide counseling about the importance of utilizing the natural potential around us to increase family income and provide training in making flower bouquets from dried and fresh plants. The community members were very enthusiastic and very interested in the training on how to dry wild plants and arrange them into beautiful flower bouquets that are marketable.

This study aims to examine public perceptions and participation in the management of sand mining in Bandar Batauga Village, Batauga District, South Buton Regency with a qualitative approach. The research location is in Bandar Batauga Village. The study was conducted in June 2021. The research population was the people of Bandar Batauga, while the research sample was 50 respondents using a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by means of observation and questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out in a qualitative descriptive manner. The results showed that the majority of respondents agreed that sand mining activities had damaged the environment so that additional efforts were needed for sand mining management and the role of the Regional Government was needed to participate in preserving the environment. However, this sand mining activity is still needed by the residents. The largest community participation in the management of sand mining is provided through the provision of advice and input regarding better sand mining management, followed by warnings that sand mining activities will pose a danger and have a negative impact on the environment.   Keywords: perception, community participation, sand mining.   Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji persepsi dan partisipasi masyarakat terhadap pengelolaan tambang pasir di Kelurahan Bandar Batauga, Kecamatan Batauga Kabupaten Buton Selatan dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Lokasi penelitian di Kelurahan Bandar Batauga. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Juni 2021. Populasi penelitian adalah masyarakat Bandar Batauga, sedangkan sampel penelitian berjumlah 50 orang responden menggunakan teknik pengambilan sampel purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan cara observasi dan pemberian kuesioner. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mayoritas responden sepakat aktivitas penambangan pasir telah merusak lingkungan sehingga diperlukan upaya tambahan untuk pengelolaan tambang pasir dan dibutuhkan peran Pemerintah Daerah dalam turut menjaga kelestarian lingkungan. Namun aktivitas penambangan pasir ini ternyata masih diperlukan oleh warga. Partisipasi masyarakat yang terbesar dalam pengelolaan tambang pasir diberikan melalui pemberian saran dan masukan terkait pengelolaan tambang pasir yang lebih baik, disusul dengan pemberian peringatan bahwa aktivitas penambangan pasir akan menimbulkan bahaya dan berdampak negatif bagi lingkungan.