Ascension : Ascension Island Conservation Department
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 17.09.2009 (Article Archived on 01.10.2009)
The Ascension Island Conservation Department are working in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew on an OTEP funded Endemic Plants project.
Endemic Plants Project Update.
The Ascension Island Conservation Department are working in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew on an OTEP funded Endemic Plants project. Experts from the UK Overseas Territories Team at Kew advise on propagation techniques, ex-situ cultivation and the re-introduction of endangered species. Horticultural protocols for each species are to be outlined, these will be used to improve local collections and further develop ex-situ plant collections. The protocols require a lot of trial and error work to identify the most successful propagation methods for our endemic plants. Stedson Stroud has already successfully cultivated in large numbers three of the endemic species. The project will focus work on propagating the remaining three endemics, so that all six are in cultivation. Olivia Renshaw joined us at the beginning of April to work on the project. We are pleased to announce that Olivia has recently accepted the offer of a two year contact as the Assistant Conservation Officer, starting in October. Olivia will be handing over the project work to Matti Nissalo, a Kew Diploma graduate. Matti will continue with the Endemic Plant work to ensure we meet targets and keep the schedule on track.
Beach Clean-up
The annual beach clean is planed for the end of October this year. We will be grateful to anyone who is able to assist with this.
Volunteers welcome. Please contact Stedson Stroud, Ascension Island Conservation Department. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email: stedson.stroud@ascension.gov.ac
Visit from Governor Gurr and Mrs Gurr
Last week on their way back to St Helena, Governor Gurr and Mrs Gurr visited Conservation and they were taken on a tour of the Island. They visited Mars Bay where they had an opportunity to enjoy the sites and the Sooty Terns.
Conservation tours to see the Sooty Terns (Wideawake):
Wednesdays 2:00pm- 3:30pm
Saturdays 9:30am – 11.30am
£5 per person (over 16)
Volunteer
The Conservation Team would like to welcome Helen Wilkinson. Helen joins us from Oxford where she has recently finished a Masters degree in Environmental Management. She will be assisting the Conservation team with various activities, particularly with the clearance of invasive species from the water pipeline.
Volunteer Helen Wilkinson
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