When people on Nusa Penida started seaweed farming in 1984, they would uproot mangroves to create their farms. The cutting of mangrove trees was more or less part of a daily routine. Ten years later residents realized that the ocean came ever closer and didn’t stop at their backyards anymore. The reason seemed obvious: the deforestation of the mangroves. People began to look at the mangroves as not only a source of wood, but as a means of coastal protection. At the same time, more and more tourists visited the island and quite a few seemed to be interested in seeing the mangrove forest. Thus, the locals started to organize mangrove tours. Another ten years further down the road, The Nature Conservancy initiated marine education training on the island, including mangrove replanting and the development of a mangrove seed bank. CTC continued these activities and developed the MPA together with local authorities and communities, allowing the islanders to expand tourism. Local communities were connected with professional tour operators and targeted promotion brought in more visitors on a regular basis. Today, about 35 to 50 people per day sign up for the mangrove tour. This kills two birds with one stone, but fortunately not two fish with one worm: visitors learn about marine biodiversity and the importance of coastal protection while local communities generate additional income and leave destructive practices behind. The outstanding effort of Nusa Penida has been recognized. The island received the national award from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry as good example for the most efficient managed MPA. CTC executive director Rili Djohani states “Nusa Penida has become a jewel in Indonesia’s marine protected area system, as one of the most thoroughly planned and zoned MPAs in the Coral Triangle through bottom-up collaborative management that contributed to people’s livelihoods and economies while protecting the world’s biological wealth for future generations.”