Save 10 acres of biodiverse forest in Sri Lanka

Warm greetings from the Forest Healing Foundation! 

We are delighted to welcome you to our quarterly update, where we share the latest news and developments with our cherished family of nature lovers and donors. Your unwavering support fuels our mission to protect and restore our precious ecosystems.

This quarter, we are thrilled to announce that the Forest Healing Foundation has taken significant strides in our commitment to environmental stewardship by appointing an Environmental Coordinator. It is with great pleasure that I, Shalindri Bandaratilleke, will be assuming this role, dedicated to coordinating our efforts towards a sustainable future.

As a grassroots organization, we are committed to reach greater heights in environmental protection and restoration. Our projects continue to thrive, driven by the passion and dedication of our team and supporters.

The following are the primary highlights and updates from the Forest Healing Foundation, to you. 

1. Bulu Land and Mee Hill

In Bulu Land and Mee Hill, Nel continues to show us her unwavering dedication by tirelessly planting and nurturing trees in these areas. Her passion for conservation extends beyond her actions as she actively encourages others to join hands in tree planting efforts. By fostering a sense of collective responsibility, Nel aims to safeguard the environment for future generations, protecting them from the negative effects of environmental degradation.

1.  Bodhi Land

The Forest Healing Foundation is thrilled to announce our newest land, Bodhi Land. This land has unfortunately suffered from significant harm and destruction. Our primary objective is to implement an assisted natural regeneration approach, in collaboration with local students, to revitalize and regenerate this land. This initiative not only restores ecosystems but also raises awareness within educational institutions about the importance of environmental conservation.

1. Lease Plot

In an innovative move, we have initiated a lease plot program to conserve forests while honoring and preserving bicultural heritage. This initiative aims to keep lands within the community while providing economic value to landowners. To start off, we aim to select a single plot of land and  develop a lease agreement that benefits both the land and the landowner. This project however will be initiated as a pilot project implementation in a smaller scale by selecting on suitable parcel of land for leasing and restoration. 

Through this, we aim to encourage the community to lease lands to the Forest Healing Foundation, whilst also offering a sustainable source of monthly income. We are extremely committed to preserve these lands that are to be leased, ensuring their long-term protection for the benefit of both the environment and the community.

We, The Forest Healing Foundation are highly committed towards both environmental protection and community engagement and development. With the ongoing efforts in Bulu Land, Mee Hill and the exciting new project in Bodhi Land, we are dedicated to restoring and protecting such lands for future generations. Through innovative initiatives like the lease plot program, we aim to create a sustainable future where both nature and communities thrive. Therefore, together, we aim to plant seeds of change and nurture a healthier, greener planet for all.

So, what has been happening since July? 

Well, firstly, our little forests have seen plenty of visitors. Together with Polwaththa Eco Lodges and the Forest Healing Foundation we have been spreading the importance of nature to the guests visiting Polwaththa Eco Lodges. The boost in tourism has given the foundation a great opportunity to showcase Bululand and our expanding efforts to conserve and reforest the surrounding areas. 

With our new volunteer space nearly completed, we are also excited to welcome our first volunteer, Anna in late November. She will be assisting us with admin, strategy and fundraising moving forward. 

Some of the team members had to return to the UK in September due to a personal loss in the family but Remon is back again and raring to go with plans to expand reforestation efforts closer to the Victoria Reservoir which is facing a serious issue of soil erosion. 

Furthermore, we've been having warm mornings and showery afternoons which is perfect for growing new trees, and guess what, Nel has been going full tilt! Her energy continues to amaze us and we will soon be expanding our team ready to tackle the challenges ahead! Stay tuned!