Welcome to REFRESH

Over the past few months we have been working on developing our network of partners for our rainforest corridor programme, and are starting some exciting new projects.

Funding has come from all over the world, via the Rainforest Conservation Fund in America, Rainforest Concern and Desert Venture in the UK, and Rainforest Rescue Australia.

If you are feeling intrepid, get involved with a cycling adventure, or by donating to RRI directly, or by donating online through our partner Rainforest Rescue Australia

Thank you for supporting our important work!

Ride for the Rainforest

Sri Lanka is fast becoming the new destination for cycle lovers! Desert Venture’s fantastic ride across the Island in February, in aid of our rainforest corridor programme, ended with a tree planting ceremony and traditional rainforest lunch at our rainforest nursery.

The cyclist Ian Wyness summed up the experience perfectly:

“At the end of a challenging but amazing adventure, planting a tree was a simple yet poignant act, and brought the whole experience of cycling through this beautiful country to life. Without these trees and the ecosystems they support, there will be no more adventures for any of us.”

The cyclists raised over £9,000 which is going to be used to bring on board a new school to our rainforest ranger programme and run community awareness and planting programmes. Thank-you to everyone who has supported this fantastic adventure!

» See the photos

        

Do you love to cycle?

Krista Bernard loves to cycle. She cycles to the shops, to the beach, and to her job at Rainforest Rescue Australia. If you also love to cycle, and are inspired by Desert Venture’s journey across Sri Lanka, why not join Rainforest Rescue Australia’s cycling adventure to help our rainforests?

Last year Krista cycled all the way from London to the Himalayas, to bring attention to climate change and the solutions offered by Rainforest Rescue Australia, through their successful rainforest protection programs. Now Krista is planning another cycling adventure to help our rainforests and she wants YOU to join her.

This one won't be quite so long (more like 12 days) or quite so far (more like 300 km) but the route promises to be especially beautiful and inspiring, and eminently achievable by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

Based around Rainforest Rescue's projects in Sri Lanka, you will be riding through stunning rainforest, visiting interesting and beautiful Sri Lankan attractions and even helping to plant trees. Most importantly, by participating you will be helping to save these precious Sri Lankan rainforests which so urgently need our help.

Take yourself on the adventure of a lifetime. Help save our rainforests. Find out more now at www.inspiredadventures.com.au/ride4therainforest

New partner in corridor programme

We are delighted that Rainforest Conservation Fund, USA, has joined us in a new partnership to support our rainforest corridor programme. With their help we are setting up a rainforest nursery at our field station in Hiniduma, which will work with the local community to:

• Research and map the best areas to collect rainforest seedlings in the area
• Raise up 20,000 native and endemic rainforest seedlings
• Distribute and plant the seedlings across 40 acres of lands.

Find out more about the Rainforest Conservation Fund at:
www.rainforestconservation.org

It’s a frog’s life
With support from Rainforest Concern, UK, we are launching a new amphibian conservation and research programme in Hiniduma. The project aims to build on our initial research with the National Geographic Society, and will create habitat for at least 5 frog species threatened with extinction. Watch this space for more information as the programme develops!

World Environment Day 2010
Many Species. One Planet. One Future. was the theme for this year’s World Environment Day.

To celebrate this international day, we ran two poster competitions: one in association with the Sunday Times on the theme of “Protect Biodiversity. Protect our endangered species” and one with our Rainforest Ranger schools on the Purple Faced Leaf Monkey -- one of the most endangered primates in the world.

With over 150 fantastic entries it was very hard to choose the winners – but most importantly everyone who got involved helped to spread the important message of the day.

See all the winning posters on our facebook page

Welcome Anuradha!
Mr E.P. Anuradha (MSc) has been working freelance for us since July 2008, as one of our eco tourism guides, and we are really pleased that he has now joined RRI as a full-time member of our biodiversity and conservation team. Anuradha has completed extensive research in Minneriya National park with a special focus on Sri Lanka’s butterflies, and as an eco tourism assistant for the Department of Wildlife Conservation he has gained lots of experience in running programs for both adults and schools. Anuradha will be leading the team in delivering our rainforest corridor, rainforest ranger and eco tourism programmes.