Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 03.12.2009 (Article Archived on 17.12.2009)

My time on this beautiful island is coming to an end, but during the 10 weeks I have spent here, many interesting things happened.

My time on this beautiful island is coming to an end, but during the 10 weeks I have spent here, many interesting things happened. I was honoured with the opportunity to work for the Conservation Office, lead by Stedson Stroud. He has a huge commitment to the Ascension environment, and who has taught me many interesting things about its unique ecosystems. We have spent a lot of time together in the field, where I was amazed with his deep knowledge and this endless enthusiasm. 

Within the Invasive Species Team, working with Lorna Close, I have spent most of my working time dealing with the Mexican Thorn. This is a very invasive and aggressive plant. We have cleared the Devils Riding School, the Hydroponic site, Mars Bay and during a short period, the water pipe from English Bay to Two Boats. We have had very good times together, whilst working really hard.

I have had the opportunity to deal with the hawksbill turtles, which I found absolutely beautiful. I helped with the tagging process, using microchips and taking DNA samples for the interesting data base, which the great Natasha Williams is taking care of.

With Olivia Renshaw I have been able to spend some time doing endemic plant census. After seeing her walking in the Hummock National Reserve, I was sure she will win any type of competition, as she has done in the Run to Green Mountain.

I have fell in love with the tropicbirds when working with Raymond Benjamin and Nathan Fowler during the monitoring walk from North West Point to English Bay. Their knowledge on sea birds and the environment is amazing. They know any bird and where all the nest and chicks are, without missing one.

Working with Matti Niissalo was an unexpected surprise. He taught me about the native plants from Ascension. We made exciting discoveries and have spent very nice times working together on Green Mountain planting ferns and doing jobs in the nursery. We also did a tree census in Travellers Hill, in all those fields he is really an expert.

I spent some of my time working with the Environmental Health Team, dealing with rodent control and poisoning. The effort put into the rodent control is incredible and I encourage them to keep working hard to reduce the rat and mice populations. Their work is already helping the Ascension environment, the people and wildlife.

In addition to all this hard work, I was able to find enough energy to control the myna bird population by trapping, whilst working overtime during my weekends. In 45 days, I alone managed to catch over 560 birds. This was made possible thanks to the many people who helped me in one way or another. People like Stedson Stroud, Charles Williams and Frances Dixon have given me the freedom and the tools needed to spend all the rest of my energy doing this work. I would have never been able to deal with this invasive species with so much success without their support. I owe them a large debt of gratitude!

Thank you Ascension, because I have reached my best record for myna bird trapping on an island so far! I will never forget this incredible place nor the people, so friendly and happy, so committed and such hard workers.

I will miss you all. With all my gratitude,

Susana Saavedra.

NOTE: the office will be closed Saturday 5th December. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Tel: 6359. Email:  olivia.renshaw@ascension.gov.ac