Save a 5 acre Tropical Rainforest in Sri Lanka

In 2022, Rainforest Protectors Trust purchased and permanently protected an additional 10 acres of privately held primary forest adjoining Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest in Sri Lanka as part of its long-term project to create a "Protected Buffer Zone". Funding for the conservation of above 10 acres came 100% from individual donations made through our crowdfunding project in GlobalGiving. This tract containing giant Dipterocarpus zeylanicus and other endangered flora, directly borders Sinharaja rainforest as well as a previous 7.5 acres saved by Rainforest Protectors Trust in 2021, thus creating a contiguous protected buffer zone. Creation of a live fence through planting native trees along the border was also successfully carried out.

Acquisition and conservation of unprotected primary forest land such as above is the single most effective method of preventing extinction of the endemic and endangered birds and freshwater fish found here such as the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornata), Sri Lanka Red Faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus Pyrrhocephalus), Sri Lanka Cuming's Barb (Pethia cumingii), Sri Lanka Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata), Sri Lanka Lipstick Goby (Sicyopus jonklaasi) and the last 2 remaining Rainforest Elephants in Sinharaja. Looking forward to 2023 and beyond, we have 3 major initiatives.

1. Expanding the conservation of additional unprotected forest lands bordering Sinharaja Rainforest.

2. Monitoring and safeguarding the Protected Buffer Zone.

3. Purchase of a suitable property to establish a Rainforest Conservation and Education Center.

We wish to thank all our donors and supporters for your contributions. With several thousand acres of primary forest in the area still remaining unprotected, we are just at the begining stages of this conservation initiative. As we progress on protecting threatened rainforests, we are also taking steps to ensure these habitats stay protected in perpetuity through frequent monitoring. "Rainforest Guardians" are at the heart of this vital effort, hired from the surrounding community and trained to monitor the protected area.  We hope you will continue to support us in 2023 and help recruit your friends and family join and be part of this conservation story.

Links:

• http://www.RainforestProtectorsTrust.org

Rainforest Protectors Trust was established in 2017, to purchase and permanently protect privately held forest lands within close proximity to rainforest reserves in Sri Lanka with the ultimate goal of creating protected buffer zones and biodiversity corridors thus reducing deforestation and enabling conservation of endemic species. We have been successful in protecting 4 tracts of formerly unprotected private forests but have a daunting task ahead as we fight against time to save hundreds of acres of unprotected forest land before they are clearcut for human settlements. We do our best to negotiate with the sellers to get the lowest price thus maximizing the return of your donations to the cause. The average purchase cost has been just $1,000 per acre Due to skyrocketing inflation, even reforestation of an acre costs much higher due to increased labor costs. Therefore, protecting existing forest land rich in biodiversity should be a top priority.

During this giving season, we urge our donors to please consider supporting our conservation efforts but making a one-time or better yet a recurring monthly donation. Your donation will help many endemic species, including the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Red Faced Malkoha, Black Ruby Barb (Barbus nigrofasciatus), Lipstick Goby (Scicyopua jonklaasi) and many other species that are currently in danger of going extinct.

Links:

• www.RainforestProtectorsTrust.org

We are living in an era of extreme weather patterns fueld by climate change. Devastating droughts and heat waves gripping Europe, China and parts of U.S.A. Unprecedented floods in Pakistan. Not only are these climate catostrophes bring destruction to those directly affected, but also it is severely affecting agriculture, causing global food shortage and rising inflation. No matter where you live, you are now affected directly or indirectly.

So what can be done about this? We cannot rely on Government leaders who continue to delay taking action against deforestation. Each and everyone of us should do our part to protect Mother Earth and not take it for granted.

Read an learn more on what you can do. Simple actions such as subsituting your diet with healthy and ecologically sustainable food can be a starter. Avoid palm oil and any processed food containing it, that is the main cause of deforestation in the tropics. Educate others on the importance of conservation. Start or join a local nature club.  Together we can make a difference.

Help Rainforest Protectors Trust, protect the last remaining rainforests in Sri Lanka through making a donation to purchase and permanently protect privately held forest land.