From the Screen to the Wetlands

I used to be much more comfortable behind a screen than under a canopy. Technology, writing and digital media were familiar territory. Spending time in wetlands, identifying birds and learning about local ecosystems was something I rarely did.

That began to change when I joined a training programme with the Emotional Intelligence and Life Skills Training Team (GTE). What started as a challenge to become a wetland guide around Kotte gradually became a way to learn about a part of the world I had rarely paid attention to.

Learning to look beyond the trail

Deciding to pursue area-guide training was a step towards turning that growing interest into something practical. I wanted to understand these places better and learn how to help other people appreciate their natural and cultural significance.

Through my volunteering as a facilitator and eco-cultural site guide, I've had opportunities to engage with urban wetlands, local heritage and the people who visit these places. I've also taken part in clean-up projects, because caring for an environment involves more than simply appreciating its scenery.

Research, writing and sharing what I learn

Writing has become another way for me to explore and communicate what I discover. In How Merlin & eBird Got Me Hooked on Birding: With a Little Help from AI, I wrote about my first steps into birdwatching and how technology helped me become more curious about the natural world.

I've also worked on environmental research material and presented research posters at the Wellness in Wetlands 2025 International Conference. These experiences gave me another way to engage with wetland conservation, beyond guided walks and volunteering.

Using AI and Simple Tech to Make People Notice Wetlands Again

We all know the numbers, yet we live like we don’t. Technology connects us to headlines, to feeds, to outrage. But it does not guarantee that we feel the ground beneath our feet. More than half of American adults report spending five hours or less in nature each week.

Chanuka Nadun PereraChanuka Nadun

An ongoing journey

I'm still learning. I don't approach this work as someone who has all the answers, but as someone willing to look closer, ask questions and share what I learn.

For me, nature conservation brings together several things I care about: learning, communication, community involvement and the responsibility to pay attention to places that are often overlooked. I want to keep building that connection through volunteering, guiding, research and storytelling.