WildEarthlings
The inhabitants of our planet are often referred to as Earthlings. With this in mind, we named our program Wild Earthlings to amplify the voices of nature in Rajapalayam, India. The sapling depicted in our logo symbolizes the budding nature enthusiasts we are nurturing, encouraging them to grow into passionate advocates for the environment. As these individuals deepen their understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, we envision them taking meaningful action to preserve and protect our natural world.
Wild Earthlings is a visionary program conceived and led by the Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam (ROAR), in collaboration with various stakeholders dedicated to nature-based education and activities. This program offers a variety of engaging initiatives, including both structured and spontaneous walks, discussions, and programs focused on the native flora and fauna of Rajapalayam, which is located at the foot of the Western Ghats. Through these activities, we explore a diverse range of topics such as trees, birds, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), and other fascinating species that thrive in our unique ecosystem.
In just 2.5 years, Wild Earthlings has hosted over 60 successful events, steadily expanding our reach and impact. Today, our team is nearly 50 members strong, and we regularly conduct walks that attract an average of 10-15 participants, fostering a growing community of nature lovers who are united by a shared passion for learning and protecting the environment. To encourage regular participation and reward commitment, we provide milestone badges to attendees based on the number of walks they’ve joined—such as 10, 25, 50, and more. We also offer certificates and a brochure kit containing information on local species like birds, butterflies, snakes, moths, odonates, trees, and the grizzled giant squirrel. In addition, each year we recognize and award the top three performing volunteers.
ThroughWild Earthlings, we continue to inspire and empower individuals to connect with nature, building a community dedicated to safeguarding our planet’s precious biodiversity.
Nest
Through its eco-literacy initiative, Nature Education for Students and Teachers (NEST), the Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam (ROAR) seeks to provide consistent, on-campus education to both students and teachers, fostering a deep connection with nature. The goal is to ignite curiosity and a sense of wonder about the natural world, especially focusing on the rich flora and fauna present within school/college campuses and their immediate surroundings. By offering regular, hands-on learning experiences, NEST aims to cultivate an appreciation for biodiversity among the younger generation and empower educators to pass on this knowledge.
Launched with the vision of reaching as many schools and colleges as possible, NEST is designed to engage the minds of students at a critical stage of their lives where their inherent passion towards nature could be channelised appropriately. Currently, ROAR mentors approximately 60 students, along with their teachers, from two prominent colleges in Virudhunagar district, formalizing this collaboration through official Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). This partnership allows us to embed nature education within the academic curriculum, ensuring that both students and teachers develop a deeper understanding of the environment.
In addition to working directly with schools, NEST has expanded its efforts through a valuable collaboration with the district administration. As part of the Green Champions program, ROAR has trained over 2,000 government school students and more than 100 staff members. This initiative focuses on equipping teachers with the tools and knowledge to become nature educators, enabling them to conduct awareness programs within their schools. Teachers are also encouraged to take students on educational field trips, further enhancing their connection with the natural world and fostering a generation of informed, environmentally-conscious individuals who will continue to advocate for nature.
