We are happy to welcome a new school to the ranger programme, the Boosa Mahavidyala primary school. The environmental club is due to have its first workshop on 10th September and is supported by the Ayesha Foundation from the Netherlands.
Students got a taste for the programme when they joined in our World Environment Day clean up of Kottowa Forest on June 5th 2009, where 5 schools from the Galle District joined together to learn about Climate Change and the important role rainforests play in the fight against global warming.
The school is located on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, between Galle and Hikkaduwa. It's playing field is only a stone's throw from the beach, and the children have already got started on a regular beach cleaning programme to help preserve their stretch of coastline. Many of the students come from families who have a long-held connection with the sea - with generations involved in coastal livelihoods such as fishing.
The Ranger programme will build on the experiences of students by exploring threats to marine and coastal ecosystems and conservation actions (such as sustainable fishing practices) that can be taken to protect them.
The school, which has a strong commitment to environmental protection, is also looking to set up a Rainwater harvesting system. This is a great opportunity for the Rangers to explore the importance of fresh water and its conservation locally and globally - making the important link between the basic needs of humans and animals everywhere.
We are planning to end our year the way we started, with a look at our tropical forests and what special plant and animals are hiding in the jungle.
Photos and a blog from our first workshop will soon be up, so come back to find out how our first day goes!
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