(Photo caption: Pteris ferns in Green Mountain Shade House)

Pteris adscensionis is a fern that is endemic to Ascension. This means that it grows here and nowhere else in the the world. The Pteris fern is listed on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered. Animals and plants are defined as Critically Endangered when they are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Recent estimates suggest that there may be as many as 40 naturally occurring Pteris ferns in the wild.  The plants’ survival on Ascension is due to the hard work and propagation efforts of Stedson Stroud, Assistant Conservation Officer, and Conservation Department volunteers. Stedson had a pleasant surprise last week when working on Green Mountain. He was happy to discover 3 new Pteris plants growing in the wild at the Pines near Breakneck Valley. This great find is promising and encourages our work protecting the Pteris ferns and 5 other endemic plants.

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to help with the reintroduction of these plants please contact the Conservation Centre or Stedson at 6359 or by email: conservation@atlantis.co.ac or stedson.stroud@ascension.gov.ac