Keep Nat Smiling
Exciting Update: The Natalie Ratnavira Education Center has been fully funded. Including the first scholarship of $500. For interested students of flora/fauna, reserchers, university students or wildlife conservation artisits or writers please submit an essay to: Gamini and Lisa Ratnavira at Lratnavira@yahoo.com. Please read below before submitting.
Wildlife Conservation Society - Galle had started a new initiative to celebrate its 25th anniversary by starting the construction of our new research and accommodation facility at the vicinity of Sinharaja World Heritage Site.
The facility will be named after late "Natalie Ann Ratnavira" (1990-2012), a young conservationist, for her remarkable service on wild animal conservation and education within a short time period.
To Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/education-center-by-wcsg
WCSG is a non-profit organization which is registered under the registration no 6/6/17/30 in Central Environment Authority. The society was established in 1993 by a group of young enthusiasts in Galle with the means of “Conserving nature to the Future”. For almost 25 years, the society has achieved above goal by conducting hundreds of research programs which has led to discover new to science species and innovative conservation theories such as captive breeding programs for endangered species and rescue, rehabilitation, release programs for wild animals. Since the beginning, society is sharing environmental knowledge through awareness programs for school children, university students and general public. This has led for a sustainable conservation with related to the community. And, the society has published several local and international publications also.
The main objective of this initiative is to provide accommodation and guidance for researchers, university students and environmental enthusiasts. The facility will be established at Wathugala village, the Southernmost edge of the Sinharaja World Heritage Site, bordering the Gin river, next to Pitadeniya Conservation Center (which managed by Forest Department). The center will be consisting of an accommodation facility, a library and a research facility. This would be used to facilitate local and foreign researchers and university students who conduct researches and studies which lead to conservation of this area.The total project cost is estimated to be 7500 USD which includes construction, materials, infrastructure and equipment.
Construction has already begun and we are hoping to complete construction before October, 2018. So, we are inviting sponsors who will support us for our effort to conserve our unique biodiversity for future generations.
The location of the Natalie Ratnavira Educational Center is in Galle, Sri Lanka, nearby the fish Devario Nataliei (Natalie's Danio) which was named after Natalie Ratnavira for her contribution and love for wildlife conservation.
Thank you for your contributions and for sharing this article on your social media pages. Please like the go fund me page as well.
https://www.gofundme.com/education-center-by-wcsg
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Ayubowan (May you live a long and healthy life)
Gamini & Lisa Ratnavira and family