Ascension : My time with the Conservation Department
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 22.04.2010 (Article Archived on 06.05.2010)

We would like to say a big thank you to Dave Ayres for volunteering with the Conservation Department, doing various tasks such a Turtle Monitoring, Clearing Mexican Thorn, etc. We wish you all best.

The Conservation Team
(L-R: Stedson, Dave, Kathy, Natasha, Nathan)

Well where to start, it seems to have been non-stop since I landed on 25 March. After arriving off the 9hr flight in the morning, I was up at Green Mountain weeding and doing some pest prevention in the afternoon! It has been all go ever since.

The Department is very busy with Turtle monitoring, plant work, bird monitoring, Mexican Thorn clearing, path clearing, plus all the office work that goes with it. The team works well together all mucking in and helping each other, a great bunch to work with.

I have been to Ascension on three previous occasions and thought I had seen all there was to see, both on the land and under the water. I was wrong! I have been to more places “off the beaten track” than on my previous trips, enabling me to see the more remote parts of the island.

Their work is physically demanding, with long walks over rough terrain. This (apart from Hashing) has been a great way to loose a few pounds!

If any one asks me “what would you say were your highlights of the trip,” I would have to say all of it!  The bits that stick out in my mind the most though would be rescuing the stranded Turtles after their exhausting task of nesting and laying their eggs. Also being dive-bombed by the nesting Brown Noddy birds.  They are very protective, hard hat needed!! Oh and of course the diving, the list goes on and on.!!

I would like to thank the department for allowing me to volunteer with them, VT for my accommodation and everyone else both old and new friends for making my trip truly memorable one.

Take care,

Dave.