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Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project

The Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project is the largest and perhaps most far-reaching single initiative in Seacology’s history. The project will protect all 21,782 acres (8,815 hectares) of Sri Lanka’s existing mangrove forests by providing alternative job training and microloans to 15,000 impoverished women who live in 1,500 small communities adjacent to the nation’s mangrove forests. The project will also replant 9,600 acres (3,885 hectares) of mangrove forests that have been cut down, using seedlings raised in three Seacology-funded mangrove nurseries. In exchange for receiving microloans to start small businesses, all 1,500 communities will be responsible for protecting an average of 21 acres of mangrove forest. A first-of-its kind mangrove museum to educate the public about the importance of preserving this resource will also be constructed as part of this project.

Seacology is harnessing Sudeesa’s experience in implementing job-training and microfinance programs, fields in which Sudeesa has been a leader for more than 15 years. This partnership will give many more impoverished Sri Lankans alternative ways to earn a living that do not entail cutting down mangroves.

The project was launched with a budget of US$3.4 million over five years. Thanks in part to a generous match by Board of Directors member Peter Read and a recent campaign, we have reached our original fundraising goal. The selection of the project for a grant by the Global Resilience Partnership allowed us to expand the scope of our work in Sri Lanka and raise the budget to over $4 million.

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Why mangroves?

These resilient trees, which take root in the mud below shallow water, provide shelter from predators for the young of many reef fish species, replenishing fisheries and supporting the livelihoods of those who depend on them. They dissipate the force of tropical storms and reduce damage to coastal communities. And perhaps most important, mangroves sequester up to 50 times more carbon than other ecosystems, playing a key role in efforts to mitigate climate change.

 

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Video overview

 

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Beneficiaries of Sudeesa microloans and skills training

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Thavanesan Rageshwary

Thavanesan Rageshwary, 54, ran a small retail shop at Vidathaltheevu in Mannar district before joining the Seacology-Sudeesa Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Program. After attending a three-day training, she obtained a 10,000-rupee (about US ) microloan and expanded her business, adding food items. She now earns an additional 5000 rupees per month and intends to expand her business again using her new management skills.

Ivon Perera

Ivon Sama Perera, 55, lives in Vannimundalama, Puttalam district in a family of three. She was born in a fishing family in Bathalangunduwa, an area affected by the war, and had to flee to Wannimundalama with her husband, leaving their fishing gear behind. This meant losing their income from fishing; her husband also fell ill and was unable to work, and Sama took on the responsibility of supporting the family. She fishes, prepares and sells snacks and breakfasts, and processes dry fish and dries kajan leaves (from coconut trees), used to roof huts. She started production of snack foods with a 10,000-rupee microloan after receiving training from the Seacology – Sudeesa Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Program. She is happy with the additional income. “What is most important to me from the training provided is the knowledge that I acquired on business management, and inculcating a culture for saving money for the future,” she says.

Jospin Kristina Kumari

Jospin Kristina Kumari lives in Samidigama Village, in the Puttlam District of Sri Lanka. She was living in poverty with four children, a sick husband, and no regular source of income. She joined Sudeesa and received training on running a bakery. Jospin was able to get a small business loan to set up a bakery of her own and now employs three other members of the community. In the future, she hopes to expand her bakery’s product line. She is a member of her village organization that protects local mangrove forests.

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Featured media coverage

CNN Travel, August 3, 2017
Explore the unexpected beauty of Sri Lanka’s mangroves

Devex, March 21, 2017
Why the momentum for mangroves?

East Bay Times, March 17, 2017
Berkeley conservation group wins $1 million grant for Sri Lanka project (reposted at Daily Mirror)

Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine, November/December, 2016
Sri Lanka protects mangrove forests

Reuters, August 3, 2016
Sri Lanka success whets international appetite for mangrove conservation

PMD News, July 27, 2016
President opens Mangrove Museum

San Francisco Chronicle [via AP], July 26, 2016
Sri Lanka to conserve climate-friendly mangroves ecosystem

BBC News, July 26, 2016
Sri Lanka prime minister: Mangroves curb climate threat

ColomboPage, July 26, 2016
Sri Lanka President launches Mangrove Conservation Program uplifting coastal communities

Mongabay, July 26, 2016
Sri Lanka set to become first nation to protect all mangroves

Rise and Shine (video), March 17, 2016
Seacology’s Karen Peterson and Aaron Rashba and Sudeesa’s Dr. Herath Dissananayake discuss progress

Reuters, June 8, 2015
Women to Power Sri Lanka’s Mangrove Conservation Plan

ClimateWire, May 18, 2015
Sri Lanka Becomes First Nation to Place All Mangroves Under Protection

BBC Science, May 12, 2015
Sri Lanka First Nation to Protect All Mangrove Forests (PDF)

Geographical Magazine (UK), May 12, 2015
Saviours of Sri Lanka’s Mangroves

The Guardian (UK), May 12, 2015
Sri Lanka to Become the First Nation in the World to Protect All Its Mangroves (PDF)

See all of Seacology’s press coverage here.

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Video project updates from Sudeesa

February 2016 | May 2016 | July 2016 | January 2017

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More information

Project fact sheet | Prospectus (English|Español)

August 2018

The Mannar training center officially opened on July 27, 2018.

August 2018 - The Mannar training center officially opened on July 27, 2018.

February 2018

Members of Seacology's staff and board of directors recently visited our project sites in Sri Lanka. The training center in Mannar funded by last year's Global Resilience Partnership grant is...
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February 2018 - Members of Seacology's staff and board of directors recently visited our project sites in Sri Lanka. The training center in Mannar funded by last year's Global Resilience Partnership grant is almost complete and is scheduled to officially open later this year.

March 2017

The project has been named a winner of the Global Resilience...
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March 2017 - The project has been named a winner of the Global Resilience Partnership's Water Window Challenge, and will receive an additional nearly $1 million to expand in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka.

July 2016

Seacology and Sudeesa celebrated World Mangrove Day by officially opening the Mangrove Museum. President Maithripala Sirisena was on hand for a ribbon-cutting as guests, including Seacology...
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July 2016 - Seacology and Sudeesa celebrated World Mangrove Day by officially opening the Mangrove Museum. President Maithripala Sirisena was on hand for a ribbon-cutting as guests, including Seacology founder Dr. Paul Cox, Executive Director Duane Silverstein, Program Manager Karen Peterson, and several board members enjoyed the exhibits in the beautiful new building.

July 2016

The Seacology-Sudeesa Mangrove Museum is almost finished, and ready for its official opening on World Mangrove Day, July 26!

July 2016 - The Seacology-Sudeesa Mangrove Museum is almost finished, and ready for its official opening on World Mangrove Day, July 26!

June 2016

So far, 283 community-based organizations have been formed so that their members can receive sustainable livelihood training. Almost 500 women have attended three-day training programs on...
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June 2016 - So far, 283 community-based organizations have been formed so that their members can receive sustainable livelihood training. Almost 500 women have attended three-day training programs on sustainable livelihoods and small business practices. Already, 194 women have created small business plans and received microloans, and 278 youths have attended two-day trainings. During the devastating floods that hit Sri Lanka earlier this month, the Mundala nursery experienced some inundation, but we have been told that the fortunately, damage was not extensive.

May 2016

Construction of the Seacology-Sudeesa Mangrove Museum is progressing as scheduled. Contractors have begun installing the displays. The museum is scheduled to open on World Mangrove Day, July 26,...
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May 2016 - Construction of the Seacology-Sudeesa Mangrove Museum is progressing as scheduled. Contractors have begun installing the displays. The museum is scheduled to open on World Mangrove Day, July 26, 2016, with a ceremony presided over by the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena. Seacology is planning a trip for interested supporters to be present for the ceremony and to tour project sites.

April 2016

Three mangrove nurseries, in Pambala, Kalipitiya and Mundalama, are operational, and a total of 161,250 mangrove seedlings have been propagated. Over the next two years, this total will reach...
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April 2016 - Three mangrove nurseries, in Pambala, Kalipitiya and Mundalama, are operational, and a total of 161,250 mangrove seedlings have been propagated. Over the next two years, this total will reach 500,000. The nurseries now employ 50 people for plant maintenance, propagation, and seed collection. The nursery in Pambala will also be used as a demonstration nursery to teach job training participants how to propagate mangroves as part of reforestation efforts in their home districts.

March 2016

Seacology Board member Peter Read generously offered to match donations to the project, bringing us within $60,000 of the project's fundraising goal.

March 2016 - Seacology Board member Peter Read generously offered to match donations to the project, bringing us within $60,000 of the project's fundraising goal.

February 2, 2016

The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, spoke and planted a mangrove seedling at Sudeesa's headquarters in observation of World Wetlands Day.

February 2, 2016 - The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, spoke and planted a mangrove seedling at Sudeesa's headquarters in observation of World Wetlands Day.

January 25, 2016

The demarcation of Sri Lanka's mangroves has been completed, with the nation's Forest Department confirming Sri Lanka has about 37,000 acres of intact habitat and 9,600 of deforested area. Three...
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January 25, 2016 - The demarcation of Sri Lanka's mangroves has been completed, with the nation's Forest Department confirming Sri Lanka has about 37,000 acres of intact habitat and 9,600 of deforested area. Three large mangroves nurseries have been established and have already propagated more than 140,000 plants to replant these blighted areas, an effort that will be overseen by a coalition of the country's top mangrove experts. Members of the Sri Lankan navy have conducted some replanting on 34 islands near Kalpitiya and Puttlam Lagoons. The mangrove museum at Pambala is under construction, with plans to open to the public on World Mangrove Day, July 26. The community development aspect of the project has begun as well, with 92 of the 1,500 local organizations formed as of the end of 2015. Already, 1,892 women and youth have received job training, and 140 women have received microloans through the program.

May 12, 2015

We have now officially launched the project, and Executive Director Duane Silverstein signed a formal agreement with the leadership of Sudeesa and the Sri Lankan government.

May 12, 2015 - We have now officially launched the project, and Executive Director Duane Silverstein signed a formal agreement with the leadership of Sudeesa and the Sri Lankan government.