Sustainable development of livelihood while conserving biodiversity and heritage

One Earth Urban Arboretum

Dilmah’s One Earth Urban Arboretum was Initiated on 7^th December 2015 as an effort to increase the appreciation of forest ecosystem services in the local urban community and build a more sustainable community. The Arboretum was completed on the 7^th of February 2017 and now contains over 300 different species of trees, vines and shrubs.

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Situated at the Dilmah Conservation Sustainable Agriculture and Research Centre (DCSARC) in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka the One Earth Arboretum also houses a model ‘Weva’ or irrigation tank (reservoir), a paddy field, and a traditional agriculture and household resource centre. Further information on the species and resources found at the Arboretum can be found at: https://www.dilmahconservation.org/arboretum/

Through this tangible depiction of natural forests and of Sri Lankan agriculture in the immediate past, Dilmah Conservation aims to educate and inform urban populations, as well as the younger generation, on the value of trees to our society, environment and our future existence.

The One Earth Urban Arboretum is open to the public from 9:00 am to 4.30 pm all days of the week. Drop into the DCSARC in Moratuwa to visit the arboretum and learn more about Sri Lanka’s native flora.

• Objectives

  • To demonstrate the value of trees to our world and to our lives.
  • To promote a greener, healthier and a more sustainable world.
  • To generate an attitudinal change on the significance of forests.
  • To encourage action among urban populations to establish green spaces.
  • To start building a consensus on the need to safeguard/enhance Sri Lanka’s forest cover.

• Progress

  • Dilmah Conservation commemorated the International Day of Forests with “The One Earth Festival of Trees”, an art and writing contest for youngsters at the One Earth Urban Arboretum on the 24^thMarch 2018.
    

    

    This was a contest which encouraged its participants to take a deeper interest in the importance of trees to the urban environment as they explore the theme ‘Trees and Sustainable Cities.

  • A survey conducted at the beginning of 2018 put the total number of surviving floral species in the arboretum at 300. Close to 500 individual trees were counted within the premises. Many of these were native species.
  • A model tank (man-made lake), cultural/information centre, and a tree hut was constructed at the site to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s traditional farming practices.
  • A small area of paddy fields was also set up at the Arboretum for the purpose of providing visitors with a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s agricultural heritage, how it coexists with the surrounding environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations.