University of Peradeniya: Champions of Biodiversity Monitoring in Sri Lanka
The University of Peradeniya’s student-led community is pioneering the generation and application of deep ecological knowledge vital for caring for healthy ecosystems.
Introduction to the Realms to Watch Program:
The ‘Realms to Watch’ program by Guardians of Earth is a ground-breaking initiative designed to support community-led regenerative projects delivering science based approaches integrated with local/traditional knowledge systems.
The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, is one of the seven exceptional Nature Realms chosen for this program, exemplifying the power of community-led conservation and restoration. You can learn more about the ‘Realms to Watch’ program in our original post.
Introduction to the Realm:
Situated in the tropics of Sri Lanka, the University of Peradeniya’s campus is renowned for its high biodiversity all year round. Migratory birds from temperate countries are a common sight during the months of December and January. Throughout the year students can be found, not simply admiring the local flora and fauna, but spending time developing their biodiversity monitoring skills — demonstrated as among the best in the world.
Below Thilinaka Wijepala, Team Lead for the University of Peradeniya’s UniBioQuest team, and Wikum H Jayasinghe, Lecturer and Lead for University of Peradeniya’s Nature Realm, share what makes their Realm and community special and the how the ‘Realms to Watch’ program can help them deliver positive impact.
What makes University of Peradeniya’s community special?
For the last 5 years running, the team from Peradeniya — through a collaboration between the University’s Biology Guild (Faculty of Agriculture) and Zoologists Association (Faculty of Science) — have been crowned champions in Guardians of Earth’s global UniBioQuest competition. Each year this competition asks which university has the best wildlife spotters and identifiers?’, with the biodiversity mapping data generated supporting open research and conservation. Not only have Peradeniya out performed year-on-year, but the skills they have acquired and demonstrated through this competitive spirit have also been very useful. For example, students from the University of Peradeniya once mounted a successful search party to rescue from the University of Kelaniya students lost in the Hanthana mountain range. The rescue team’s deep observational capability and understanding of the local biodiversity demonstrates the broader Peradeniya team’s capacity to protect their environment and to share knowledge and skills with the wider community.
What do you plan to fund with investment in your Realm?
Investments into University of Peradeniya’s Realm will initially fund this project:
- A pollinator conservation project — restoration of pollinator
habitats through pollinator friendly landscaping that also creates an educational and demonstration site.
If we are to achieve our fundraising goal to support our priority project above, our stretch goals include funding for:
- construction of a butterfly garden
- rainwater harvesting system in a rural school
- mangrove conservation and restoration project
- reef and beach clean-up and beach clean-up
How will these projects benefit the land and community of the Realm?
Establishing a pollinator habitat restoration site at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, will serve as a flagship initiative for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka. This project will provide tangible benefits for pollinator conservation, ecosystem health, and agricultural productivity.
It will provide a valuable educational and research resource for students, faculty, and the wider community, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in the fields of ecology, agriculture, and conservation. By evaluating the success of pollinator friendly landscaping, this project will generate valuable insights and lessons learned that can inform future conservation initiatives and land management practices.
Through educational outreach and engagement efforts, demonstrating the benefits of habitat restoration for pollinator conservation and ecosystem resilience, this project will catalyze broader efforts to promote sustainable land management practices and protect biodiversity. Project findings will be disseminated through academic publications and by organizing
outreach events targeting general public, school and undergraduate students. Best practices and lessons learned will be shared with other academic institutions, conservation organizations, and government agencies to inspire similar initiatives in other regions.
In addition, the “Realms to Watch” program is also about aligning the incentives for capital and community to create a truly regenerative culture. The ‘Realms To Watch’ program’s innovative approach treats contributing communities as co-investors, with their own shares, so that they are motivated to enhance ecological value for everyone’s benefit. Additionally, the land itself is also treated as a co-investor, always holding 51% of the Realm’s shares. This symbolises the intrinsic value of the land and its crucial role in sustaining life and prosperity. The land, in effect, is an investor in us.
What’s your vision?
The University of Peradeniya Realm team hope to reinvest wealth generated by their Realm into ongoing student research and community development so as to create a new generation of skilled and valued guardians for the land.
You Can Get Involved:
Guardians of Earth is sharing this exclusive investment opportunity with our network of influential and values-driven impact investors. There are many ways that you too can be a part of this transformative movement to regenerate our planet and empower communities.
- Follow the Journey: Explore the remarkable stories of each Realm in our “Realms to Watch” series and witness the profound impact of community-led regenerative projects. Follow this blog, or visit our socials (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).
- Apply for the Next Round: The 7 Realms to Watch are the first of many to come. Are you a leader of a regenerative community that deserves to be in the next round?
- Stay Connected: Sign up for our Guardians of Earth (GoE) newsletter to receive the latest updates on the “Realms to Watch” program and other pioneering regenerative initiatives.
- Join the Community: Introduce yourself on the GoE Discord and actively contribute to the discussions that shape this journey.
- Contact Us Directly: Reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss an opportunity.
- Visit Our Website: Visit the Guardians of Earth (GoE) website to learn about the platform that makes this possible.
Act now to support community-led efforts that are revitalising our planet and its communities. Your involvement can drive significant change. Together, we can create a thriving future for all.
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