Federation of Environmental Organizations - Sri Lanka

12/05/2026

During our recent visit to the Horton Plains National Park, FEO met with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Hatton. Under FEO’s Mihidora Project, the team engaged with CSOs already affiliated with the Mihidora Environmental Portal, as well as new CSO's interested in becoming part of the portal.

Mihidora is an online platform that connects conservation and environmental stakeholders by providing resources, knowledge, and tools to support environmental protection, sustainability, awareness, research, and policy advocacy. You can visit Mihidora through https://mihidora.lk

28/04/2026

ENVFORCE Graduation (Horton Plains NP) – First Batch Completed!

The Federation of Environmental Organizations is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the ENVFORCE Conservation Education Programme for our first batch of students around Horton Plains National Park. 25 dedicated students from Ambewela S.V, Sri Senananda M.V, Our Lady’s Upper School, and Holbrook S.V presented the findings of their research projects focused on investigating environmental problems in their own communities and surroundings.

It was an inspiring and insightful day as these young environmental leaders shared their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues affecting the ecosystems around Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains. Even more encouraging was their enthusiasm to become part of the solution, presenting practical and community-based solutions that they believe can be implemented locally.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the staff and students of Sri Senananda M.V for warmly hosting the programme and supporting its success. We are also grateful to Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage for joining us to evaluate the research presentations and guide the students with her valuable insights.

With this milestone, we proudly conclude the two-year ENVFORCE journey for the first batch, and we are hopeful about the future impact of the 25 Conservation Ambassadors we have trained.

Together, we believe these young leaders will inspire action, raise awareness, and help protect the natural heritage of the Horton Plains landscape for generations to come.

*Congratulations to all our ENVFORCE graduates!*

30/03/2026

The journey continues for our ENVFORCE students!

Students from schools bordering Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park, and Wasgamuwa National Park recently took part in the Research Project Briefing, the final session of the last phase of our ENVFORCE Conservation Education Programme.

This session introduced students to the fundamentals of research methodology and highlighted the importance of research in addressing environmental challenges in their localities.

Now, equipped with knowledge gained over the past two years and shaped by their unique experiences living alongside Sri Lanka’s protected areas, our students are stepping into the role of young environmental leaders.

Their mission: to identify environmental issues within their own communities and develop innovative, practical solutions that can make a real difference.

Stay tuned as these passionate young changemakers bring forward ideas that could shape a more sustainable future.

06/02/2026

10/12/2025

ENVFORCE Wasgamuwa National Park - University visit

On 18th and 19th November, 25 enthusiastic students from six schools (Hadungamuwa Maha Vidyalaya, Handungamuwa Piriwena School, Weheragala Maha Vidyalaya, Medakanda Kanishta Vidyalaya, Maraka Maha Vidyalaya and Naminioya National School) surrounding Wasgamuwa National Park joined us for another powerful chapter of the ENVFORCE Conservation Education Programme at the University of Peradeniya.

The students immersed themselves in interactive learning sessions on university life, science education, and the role of research in environmental conservation. They engaged directly with lecturers and undergraduates, sparking valuable conversations and building confidence in their own scientific curiosity. A highlight for many was the zoology laboratory demonstration, followed by a campus walk that left them inspired to pursue higher education.

Evenings at the Gal Bungalow brought creative energy and teamwork as the students designed their own vision boards and enjoyed fun ice-breaking activities. The next morning, they stepped into the lower Hanthana forest for a field session guided by university lecturers, learning how to collect scientific data through exploration, observation, and asking great questions. Their final evaluation was a written memorandum to be submitted of their experience at the university, which showcased impressive insights and a growing passion for conservation.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Science Education Unit at the University of Peradeniya for making this experience truly impactful, to the principals, teachers, and the Wilgamuwa Zonal Education Department for their invaluable support, and to all participating students for their unwavering dedication. Their journey continues as they now prepare for their final research projects leading up to graduation from this two-year ENVFORCE Programme.

08/12/2025

ENVFORCE Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks – University visit

4th and 5th November, students from Ananda Balika National School and Habarana Maha Vidyalaya selected from the ENVFORCE Conservation Education Programme in Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks embarked on an unforgettable learning journey at the University of Peradeniya.

The group explored University life through interactive sessions led by lecturers, diving into science education, environmental conservation, and the value of scientific research in informed decision-making. Students connected with academic staff and undergraduates at the science faculty, engaged in a hands-on zoology lab demonstration, and enjoyed a motivational walk through the beautiful campus, igniting dreams of becoming undergraduates themselves one day.

Their stay at the Gal Bungalow was filled with creativity as they built personal vision boards and joined in evening icebreaking games, preparing for an exciting morning in the field the next day. A guided session in the lower Hanthana forest introduced them to data collection techniques, encouraging inquiry, exploration, and scientific thinking. Students proudly presented their findings to an audience of teachers, parents, and university staff, an incredible milestone on their two-year learning journey with ENVFORCE.

A heartfelt thank you to the Science Education Unit at the University of Peradeniya for their exceptional support in shaping these meaningful learning experiences, to the principals, teachers, and zonal education offices for their guidance and approvals, and to our dedicated students whose enthusiasm continues to drive the success of the ENVFORCE Programme as they move closer to graduation after their final research projects.

10/11/2025

FEO's effort to keep the invasive Agada at bay in Minneriya National Park continues.

Our team continues to control the spread of Agada (Xanthium indicum) from the National Parks main water body and its surroundings. Agada, known as Common Cocklebur is an Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) growing in the grasslands thar form on the tank beds of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks.

These grasslands play an important role during the dry season as it attracts large number of wild Elephants when the water levels in the tanks recede and expose their tank beds.

Known as the 'Elephant Gathering' this annual gathering attracts hundreds of elephants where these giants feed on the grasses on the tank beds. This vital point of their migration is threatened by the growth of Agada, a toxic plant to herbivores reducing available grazing lands.

Our efforts, which began in 2020 is currently being continued for the 6th year in succession, with the support of the local communities and under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The clearance of these IAPS has been possible, thanks to the labour of workers engaged, and of course, our generous sponsors and well wishers.

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31/10/2025

In EP 3, we feature the Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) Ulex europaeus, commonly known as "Gorse", a thorny bush native to Western Europe.

This thorny invader with bright yellow flowers has taken root in the Horton Plains National Park located in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Introduced to Sri Lanka by British farmers who settled in and around the Nuwara Eliya area, it is believed that this plant was used as protective hedging around their farms. Being a hardy plant, this quickly spread across the area.

It is believed that the Ulex had invaded the Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), with manure that was brought to the Park when the land were used for an experimental potato farming project by the Government in the 1960 to 1970.

Ulex is well adapted as an invasive to spread rapidly across the grass lands of HPNP by producing more than 6000 seeds per year, living up to 30 years, and their seeds can remain dormant in soil for more than 40 years.

Since 2022, FEO have cleared more than 355 acres in Phase I & II. By removing these IAPS from our National Parks we hope to restore the ecosystem, allowing grazing wildlife roam on restored habitat once more..

Stay tuned as we continue our series, exploring more IAPS plants FEO is clearing in our National Parks. Continuing our fight to 'Take back our Parks from these Invasives'.

14/10/2025

We spend time and money educating our children on the importance of preserving the environment, only to have them exposed to a country leadership hell bent on destroying it.

Is the commerce of cricket so important that we are ready to destroy our land??

29/09/2025

🌿 ENVFORCE Kumana Schools Programme – Field Visit to Kumana National Park 🐘

On 13th & 14th September, ENVFORCE, The Youth Alliance of FEO, hosted the second session of our Kumana Schools Programme, taking 80 students from schools in the bordering villages on an educational field visit to Kumana National Park.

For many of these young explorers, it was their first-ever experience inside the park. After a round of awareness sessions and assessments, these 80 were selected to embark on this journey of practical exposure to environmental conservation.

🗓 Day 1 – 13th Sept
Students from Panama National School & Singhapura Sinhala Vidyalaya
Resource Person: Vinod Malwatte

🗓 Day 2 – 14th Sept
Students from Al Ishraq Vidyalaya, Al Aqsa Vidyalaya & Panama GTMS
Resource Person: Sulfi Faizar

The day began with an engaging awareness session on the History, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity of Kumana, followed by distribution of beautifully illustrated Kumana Park maps by The Parrotfish Collective. Students also took part in a special book reading of "Shyamala and the Bear" written and generously donated by Jody Miller . 🐻

After a short break, students brainstormed key environmental issues, identified stakeholders, and proposed practical solutions for challenges in their own communities. ♻

The most anticipated part of the day was, of course, the Safari! 🐆 Kids excitedly spotted birds, animals, and plants, eagerly documenting them in their new field notebooks. Each day ended with a magical leopard sighting and smiles full of hope, curiosity, and inspiration.

This Project is funded by the EOCA European Outdoor Conservation Association Grant for the Habitat Restoration of Kumana Villu and the education of children in the Kumana Area.

A special thanks to Kumana Park Warden and his team for supporting the effort and to the Kumana Jeep Drivers Association for organizing lunch and transport on both days.

And a huge thanks to Ananda Chanmugam for capturing the beauty and energy of the visit through his lens.

Next up: Environmental Conservation Career Guidance Day, where we’ll inspire these young minds to pursue futures in environmental stewardship. 🌏💚

23/09/2025

On the 4th of September 2025, the Environmental Society of St. Peter’s College, Colombo took a meaningful step toward creating a greener, butterfly-friendly environment!

The event began with an engaging and interactive session conducted by ENVFORCE, the youth alliance of the Federation of Environmental Organizations.

Students explored the fascinating world of Sri Lanka’s butterflies and learned why it's crucial to create supportive habitats for them, even in bustling cities like Colombo.

After the session, it was time to get their hands dirty! The students headed to the school garden to plant larval host and nectar plants in a specially designated area that will soon bloom into the butterfly garden of the school.