The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), in partnership with Kindernothilfe (KNH), has officially launched the Climate Inheritors Project in Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of a five-year journey to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.

The project commenced in July 2025, and following extensive preparatory and groundwork activities, implementation officially began last month in the field with project launch events held in Lunugamwehera, with 367 stakeholders in attendance, and in Bogawantalawa, where 327 participants gathered to celebrate this milestone. These launches brought together children, parents, educators, government officials, and community members in a united effort to build climate resilience among Sri Lanka’s youth.

A Legacy of Conservation

Founded in 1894, WNPS is Sri Lanka’s oldest conservation organization, with over 130 years of service to the nation. The Society has played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka’s conservation landscape, including collaborating with the State to establish Yala and Wilpattu National Parks, saving the Sinharaja Forest, and working closely with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Department of Forest Conservation, and the Ministry of Environment.

Speaking at the launch, WNPS President Graham Marshall reflected on this legacy:

“WNPS has been at the forefront of conservation for over 130 years. While we continue to protect habitats and species, we recognize that climate change will increasingly affect our country. Our responsibility now is to create leaders for the future, what we call ‘climate inheritors.’ These children, 10 to 20 years from now, will be shaping policy and guiding conservation efforts. This project is our investment in their ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

A Unique Pilot Project

The Climate Inheritors Project is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Sri Lanka, designed to empower 350 children aged 11–13 in Bogawantalawa and Lunugamwehera. Unlike short-term programs, this project takes children on a five-year journey step by step. By the end of the project they will be 16–18 years old youth, equipped with both knowledge and practical experience in conservation and climate resilience.

Chairman of WNPS PLANT and conceptualizer of the project, Sriyan de Silva Wijeratne, explained the uniqueness of the initiative:

Climate Inheritors Project in Lunugamwehera

“I am very happy to reveal this newest concept, the ‘Climate Inheritors’ project which WNPS and KNH have joined hands to introduce to Sri Lanka for the very first time. We have brought together conservation specialists, technical experts, child rights advocates, and teachers to create a comprehensive program for children. Through this, they will gain knowledge, leadership skills, and practical experience in conservation. Our hope is that this pilot project will serve as a model that can be expanded across Sri Lanka, through schools, NGOs, and government.”

Building Climate Resilience Among Youth

Beginning in July 2026, selected children will engage in climate science sessions, personality development workshops, and conservation activities in collaboration with WNPS PLANT, including reforestation and hands-on environmental projects.

At the Lunugamwehera launch, Divisional Secretary Mr. I.L. Wickramanayaka emphasized the uniqueness of the initiative:

“The Climate Inheritors Project being unveiled today by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society is a highly unique initiative. Through this project, we are engaging children to empower them with the resilience to withstand the adverse impacts of climate change. At the same time, this project actively builds and enhances the leadership skills necessary for young leaders to rise up and prevent such adverse consequences.”

A Collective Investment in the Future

The official launch was preceded by six months of intensive groundwork, ranging from stakeholder orientation and child selection with the support of school principals, to parent awareness and consent, mentor recruitment, and curriculum development.

By equipping children with knowledge, skills, and leadership opportunities, the Climate Inheritors Project represents a collective investment in Sri Lanka’s future. It is a bold step toward creating a generation of changemakers committed to mitigating the impacts of climate change and safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage. (News release from the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society)