Students from The Overseas School of Colombo roll up their sleeves to revive degraded land near Sri Lanka’s most iconic rainforest, proving that action speaks louder than awareness.
While many spent Valentine’s Day exchanging cards and candy, a group of young students from The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) chose to show their love a little differently – by getting their hands dirty in the name of the planet.
On 14 February, 19 OSC learners, including 12 members of the school’s Gecko Young Reporters group, ventured into the rainforest borderlands just a few kilometres from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Their mission: to support an ambitious ecological restoration effort led by the Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project, focused on bringing native biodiversity back to a 59-acre plot once ravaged by commercial pine planting and invasive species.
Though the land looks green, it’s a misleading kind of lush. Covered in dense mats of False Staghorn Fern (Dicranopteris linearis) and other invasives, the area had become a “green desert” – void of the complex biodiversity typically found in rainforests like Sinharaja. But thanks to the efforts of OSC’s students, change is now taking root.
Working shoulder-to-shoulder and armed with nothing but gloves and grit, the Geckos spent the day clearing invasive ferns by hand and planting five native rainforest tree species selected to kickstart ecological succession. Experienced students guided their peers through the terrain, identifying threats, demonstrating techniques, and building momentum for rewilding.
Senaka Samarasundera, a student and leader within the Gecko Young Reporters, captured the day’s spirit best:
“If you give time and effort, you can return the forest to its former beauty.”
What sets this story apart is not just the hard work of these students, but the authenticity of their commitment to real-world impact. The Gecko Young Reporters are OSC’s local chapter of Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), a global programme run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that empowers youth aged 11–18 to investigate environmental issues and propose solutions through journalism, photography, and video storytelling. Through their involvement, students build not only awareness but also action.
This restoration visit marks more than just a field trip. It’s an embodiment of OSC’s sustainability ethos. In 2022, the school became the first and only in Sri Lanka to receive the Eco-Schools Green Flag from FEE. Just two years later, it made history again – becoming the first school globally to earn the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS) Programme of Distinction in Sustainability.
As student Jasper reflected, he was struck by how “invasive plant species were coming and destroying the natural ecosystem.” Dylan, another Gecko Young Reporter, called the experience “incredibly inspirational” and said he would gladly return to continue the work.
That return is already in motion. The students have committed to adopting a section of the land for ongoing monitoring and restoration. With each visit, they plan to build on their progress – clearing, planting, documenting, and deepening their understanding of what true sustainability looks like in action.
OSC continues to lead by example – cultivating in its students compassion for the planet, the courage to take action, and the curiosity to dig deeper. These young Geckos aren’t just learning about the environment; they’re learning with it and for it. And in doing so, they’re helping lead the charge toward a more hopeful, biodiverse future.
