Investing in our Youth; 

More schools, more programs; more eco-conscious children


The past three months were quite busy yet enjoyable for the Youth Wing, with more programs in schools in different parts of the country. Collaborating with the Human- Elephant Coexistence (HEC) subcommittee of the WNPS and the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), Youth Wing conducted 28 school programs in Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Ampara and Monaragala districts, reaching more than 3000 children. These programs shed light on the importance of elephants as ecosystem engineers, the economic and cultural value of the species and why we need to find ways to coexist with these animals. The programs were conducted in areas which were identified as key localities pressurized  by the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC). The discussions initiated at these schools explored the innovative ideas of HEC mitigation, and the children were motivated to explore solutions for this escalating issue. As the Youth Wing, we believe that co-existence is possible, and we are grateful to the children who sat down with us to talk about this matter openly. We understand that they are the future of this country, and it is their knowledge about the species which will allow them to look at this issue from a different perspective.

 

While we believe that knowledge and education is key to conservation, we also have a strong faith in sound environmental action. To support schools which are willing to play their part in conservation, we have collaborated with the United States Forest Service (USFS). Accordingly, as of now, there are 19 small scale sustainability projects up and running in 19 schools from North, Western, and Southern provinces. Our goal as the Youth Wing is to support these schools technically and financially in implementing these actions. We are proud to implement environmental action without restricting our programs only to environmental education.


Our partnership with the British Council Sri Lanka has grown, opening pathways to new initiatives. The YLCA participants from Kandy and Gampaha took part in a challenge grant program, securing funds for five projects they designed which will continue till September. Also, the Youth Wing is continuing its role as a delivery partner of the British Council with its upcoming YLCA community trainings in Kalutara, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya, which will commence in mid-July We are thrilled about our upcoming programs such as the Sri Lanka Leopard Day Conservation Challenge we designed for the schools in Colombo. We hope WNPS members and their families  will take part in these exciting, upcoming events and we promise to bring you more updates on the work we do in the next issue of the Jungle Telegraph. Stay tuned!