Reforestation in the Rajawaka Forest Conservation area.
New year, new saplings.
To commemorate the end of 2022 and the dawn of 2023, a native Myrobalans sapling (Sinhala: Aralu, Tamil: Kaddukay, Scientific: Terminali Chebulia) were planted in honor of RETRACE Hospitality’s clients, collaborators and partners in support of the Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka.
Each Myrobalans sapling will be nurtured as part of science-based rewilding efforts at the Lower Montane forests of the Rajawaka Forest Reserve in the Ratnapura District. This ecosystem is home to threatened biodiversity, uniquely positioned along the border of Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone and Intermediate Zone in the lush Balangoda area.
The Myrobalans tree is a medium-to-large deciduous tree that bares flowers and fruits, and has medicinal properties. Native to this region in Sri Lanka, the Myrobalans tree provides necessary ecosystems services and is vital to maintaining a healthy balance of forest cover in the area. For more information about the Rajawaka reforestation project, please click here.
Why rewild and reforest?
Tree-planting may be seen as a low-hanging opportunity to “greenwash”. This can be true, particularly given an increased focus and demand for environmentally-sound business practices.
Rewilding is different to “just planting trees”. It is the scientific restoration of ecosystems (wetlands, forests, etc) to the point where nature is allowed to take care of itself after initial human support. Rewilding gradually reduces human intervention or leaves an area alone for natural regeneration where possible e.g. seed dispersal leading to regeneration of trees. Rewilding creates restored ecosystems which take in CO2 from the atmosphere if sufficient protection measures are put in place, while reforestation creates planted forests which take in CO2 from the atmosphere if sufficient protection measures are put in place.
We’ve chosen to support this effort on behalf of our clients, partners and collaborators to demonstrate that ecosystems will weather through good deals, bad deals, poor economies or weak decisions. We commit to support Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka as they nurture these trees to regenerate entire ecosystems, regardless of whether our relationship with a client comes to a closure, or if a project or mandate is complete - these rewilding efforts will continue to breathe life to us all.
For more information about Rainforest Protectors Sri Lanka, visit www.rainforestprotectors.org.
WANT TO TRACK PROGRESS ON REFORESTATION EFFORTS AND FIND OUT HOW ARE SAPLINGS ARE DOING?
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