Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL)

Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) is a non-profit organization that works for the conservation of birds and environment. It works as a non governmental organization, but affiliated to the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. FOGSL was established in 1976, to achieve the following objectives.

* bring together persons who are interested in the study and conservation of the birds of Sri Lanka.

* To generate interest among laymen and students of natural history in the study and conservation of birds.

* To institute, direct and carryout a programme of field study, island wide on various aspects of birds biology.

* To establish links with other groups in other parts of the world with similar interest.

Field ornithology group is the National affiliate of the BirdLife International, which is the umbrella organization for all the institutes working on conservation of birds around the World.

Key activities

Major activities of FOGSL are concentrated on two main aspects namely scientific research and environmental education

Research studies

* IBA Programme

* National Bird Ringing Programme

* Ecological studies of selected bird species

* Studies on Mixed species bird flocks

Environment education programmes

* Schools environment education Porgramme

* FOG Kids programme

* Conservation awareness campaigns

* Tsunami affected schools development programme

* Annual P.B. Karunarathna memorial exhibition

* Annual amateur Photographic contest and exhibition

* E-communication

Other services of FOGSL

FOGSL provides many other services either free of charge or for a nominal fee. These include,

* Consultation for products development of Eco-tourism facilities.

* Training programmes for officers in the fields of wildlife, Eco-tourism, education, etc in the government and private sectors.

* Bird friendly certification for tourism products and services in Sri Lanka.

Membership

FOGSL membership is open to all and only qualification is the interest in birds.

Membership categories are:

Life membership

Ordinary membership

Student membership

Corporate membership

Affiliate membership

Foreign membership

FOGSL members receive many benefits including,

A free subscription for quarterly published Bulletin Malkoha (in English) or Kedetta (in Sinhala)

Concessionary rates for the FOGSL publications and other products

Access to FOGSL library

Participation for monthly lecture series

Participation for Field excursions

Participation for Field Workshops

Satisfaction of contribution to the Conservation of birds and environment