Seychelles

Protecting Island Biodiversity
As one of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the theme of the International Day for Biodiversity 2014 (Island Biodiversity) is particularly relevant to Seychelles. Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) manages and protects Seychelles’ two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Vallée de Mai and Aldabra Atoll.

To celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity in 2014, SIF launches a new stewardship scheme as part of their invasive species eradication programme. Invasive species pose a major threat to endemic island biodiversity and for several years SIF has been conducting activities to eradicate several plant and bird species. At the Vallée de Mai World Heritage Site, invasive plant species are a threat to the endemic Coco de Mer palm and other endemic palms.

The International Day for Biodiversity 2014 will be used to launch a new stewardship scheme at the Vallée de Mai. This scheme aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility in the local community to take action against invasive plant species. A plot of land will be cleared of invasive species, and endemic plants planted in their place. Over the coming months it is hoped that members of various community groups will maintain this plot by continuing to remove the invasive plants and protecting the endemic ones. The day will be a family fun day out, with educational and fun activities on invasive species for kids and adults, and of course the chance to plant their very own endemic tree, which they can look after and protect into the future. Find out more about SIF ->