This research was conducted to find out image of participation of Tarakan community in the conservation of Tarakan Protection Forest (TPF). The research showed that all elements of local community had participated and
their participation were in the function of “distribution” and “implementation”, while in case of participation intensity, it was categorized as “information” and “consultation”. Both participations function and intensity, however, reached the level of “very inactive”. The perception of local community about participation were 1) direct and indirect involvement, 2) participation in activities and 3) physical and non-physical contribution. The local community who had not participated gave the following reasons: 1) they were neither involved nor informed, 2) they had already a regular job, 3) they had no capacity and 4) recruited labourers were from other regions. Conversely, those who had participated gave the following reasons: 1) participation was a part of their duty and responsibility, 2) they had been involved, (3) they had been given responsibilities and 4) they had got income. The local community suggested that participation could be encouraged by 1) inviting/involving them 2) transparency 3) dialogue and socialization 4) good examples and 5) intensive guidance. The main problem of TPF conservation was unsuccessful of conservation, especially in preventing and mitigating TPF destruction caused by accumulation of three factors, namely 1) poor management of the conservation programme, 2) law/rule infringement and 3) low participation of the local community in the programme. Generally speaking, this unsuccessful had the consequences of 1) increasing TPF destruction and 2) decreasing of TPF functions. To improve the TPF conservation programme, it is recommended that the local community’s participation in this programme should be intensified, different measures on the basis of the local community’s participation should be implemented and the government of Tarakan city should always be consistent in maintaining the status and function of TPF by avoiding disproportionate physical development activities in the TPF area.

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