Tropical data
Sri Lanka may be a biodiversity hot spot, but research on many of its threatened habitats is disjointed, if it exists at all. Mike, a database expert, worked with RRI staff in the middle of 2010 to develop a new kind of database - a Tropical Forest Register. The aim is for any organisation who is researching forest patches in Sri Lanka to be able to upload information onto the database, creating a vital record and research tool.
Mike's IT skills have also been put to good use through providing software training for staff and helping to develop small applications for the website.
Spreading the word
Lydia joined us for 3 months in July 2010 to help raise the profile of RRI through the media, and to provide lots more useful information on our website such as our guide to organic farming at home. Lydia studied business and HR, and was also able to help us by developing a staff handbook with good practice guidelines.
Her work has helped us to reach many more people with an important message: to protect our natural environment for future generations. You can check out Lydia's photos from the time she spent in Sri Lanka on our Facebook page.
Belipola Forest Estate
Cat and Sacha joined us in the summer of 2009 as the first volunteers on our organic farm and arboretum. They spent 7 days exploring the forest garden, mapping the grounds, picking out the top 40 most important tree species and developing a guided walk for ecotour visitors to follow.
Their work has been essential in opening up the estate to tourists by developing an easy-to-understand guide to the special plants and trees in the arboretum and their uses.
Rainforest City
As part of our programme to build staff capacity, RRI has partnered with the UK organisation Challenges Worldwide, who have supported our work by providing specialist volunteers. In 2007 we worked with Karen, an urban forestry specialist, to help plan and launch our Rainforest City programme.
Karen's energy and experience has supported a number of staff and projects to help RRI develop its conservation programme. She has since been back twice to continue to work on this project and support our work in other areas.
Amphibian Conservation
In 2008 Mili, an MSc student from Serbia, joined us for 2 months. He helped with monitoring on our amphibian research project, to develop non-destructive sampling techniques for amphibians.
His enthusiasm and dedication to the project, as well as his superb photography skills, has enabled us to develop a useful field guide for the identification of amphibians in Hiniduma.
Organic herb marketing
Geertje and Bernd joined us for a short time at the end of 2007, from the Netherlands, and conducted research to explore the potential markets for our organic herb production on the Belipola Estate. This plan was put into practice in 2008.
Galle ecomap
Sarah, a UK volunteer, worked with RRI for several months and helped to help develop our Galle eco-tourist map.
Analog Forestry
Irfanullah from Pakistan come to RRI through the commonwealth forestry association. He was the winner of the young forester award and made an assessment of the effectiveness and future needs for RRI’s Analog Forestry sites at Bandarawella, Tangalle and Matara. |
