Global warming mitigation cannot depend solely on technocentric or large-scale interventions; it must also acknowledge the agency of local communities as scientific actors rooted in their own ecological knowledge systems. This study explores the Krida Wana Lestari (KWL) mangrove farmers’ group in Kampung Laut, Indonesia, as an example of local scientists negotiating their roles within the Neoliberal Knowledge System. Their ecological awareness arises from long-standing multispecies relationships between humans and mangroves in the Segara Anakan Lagoon, where reciprocal interactions transcend utilitarian values. Through a multispecies perspective, these relationships sustain coexistence and resilience among human and nonhuman life. Theoretically, the research highlights the strategic and legitimate role of local knowledge in the global climate discourse, positioning conservation not only as an ecological practice but also as resistance to neoliberal logics and the commodification of ecological spaces. KWL farmers embody local scientists who mediate between contextual and global scientific narratives, demonstrating that science is inherently situated within social, historical, and ecological contexts. Practically, this study underscores the transformative potential of community-based conservation as a participatory and context-sensitive approach to climate governance, revealing how intergenerational ecological wisdom supports mangrove sustainability while offering equitable and alternative pathways for climate resilience. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.