Ascension : Ascension Island Conservation Department
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 20.08.2009 (Article Archived on 03.09.2009)

Planting at the Restoration Site on Green Mountain and new shade houses

We are now well into our winter months here on Ascension, with cooler temperatures and more rainfall expected. These conditions are ideal for the re-introduction of our endemic plants on Green Mountain. The restoration site on the way up to the Dew Pond is expanding. There has been a lot of activity up there recently, with the clearing of invasive species and the erection of a rabbit-proof fence. Over the last few weeks we have been taking large plants our endemic Pteris adscensionis, Sporobolus caespitosus and Marattia purpurascens from the shade house near Garden Cottage to the restoration site further up. As the cleared site is re-planted with the endemics, we work hard to keep the area free from weeds and predators. It is very important that we monitor the progress of the re-introduced plants closely, as a lot of time, money and effort to grow these rare endemic species. (Photo: Volunteer Dr Troskey and Horticulturalist Olivia Renshaw)

The two shade houses that were left without their shading due to strong winds have recently been restored. We are currently working closely with the Royal Botanic Garden Kew on an endemic plants project, which involves the propagation and re-introduction of our endemic species on Ascension. This project requires a lot more space for the propagation of our endemic plants. Recently we have secured new shading on the tunnels and replaced the floor matting. These are now ready to be filled with endemic and indigenous plants, propagated from seed or spores collected from the small wild existing populations of the endemic species. The shade houses allow us to monitor their condition and growth requirements closely. (Photo: Nathan Fowler and Keith Leo working on the new shade houses). Photos by Stedson Stroud.