Ascension : Ascension Island Conservation Department
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 18.11.2010 (Article Archived on 02.12.2010)

The Green Mountain National Park Education and Visitors Centre project came to an end in May this year.

Green Mountain National Park Education and Visitors Centre

The Green Mountain National Park Education and Visitors Centre project came to an end in May this year. The main objective of the project was to provide an Education / Visitors centre in the Green Mountain National Park, providing the general public, visitors, researchers, scientists, students and school children from Ascension and the Overseas Territories with an educational facility. It also provides an opportunity for the important conservation work being carried out on Ascension to be demonstrated to the public. Green Mountain National Park is the principle conservation and environmental site of importance on Ascension Island and has an international reputation.

The ground floor of the building has been converted into a display area to demonstrate the work carried out during the OTEP Endemic Plants Project and the EU South Atlantic Invasive Species Project. A section of the ground floor is being used as an exhibition centre and is open to the various organisations on Ascension and the Overseas Territories. A section is to be utilised by the Heritage Society to demonstrate the historic significance of Ascension and promote and encourage people to use the walks and facilities available in the Park. There is also a small office on the ground floor, a workshop and storage area. The first floor has been converted into a lecture theatre and a class room facility.

The main outputs of the project have been:

·  The development an Education / Visitors Centre in the Green Mountain National Park.

·  The renovation of the Red Lion building and conversion into an Education and visitors centre.

·  The provision of a facility for education and research for residents of Ascension and other Overseas Territories.

·  The improvement of the general facilities for visitors in the National Park.

·  The provision of quality displays of the endemic plants and wildlife of Ascension, together with a training facility and a workshop, storage and archiving facility.

·  A demonstration of the Park’s heritage and the walks available.

The project has been coordinated by the AIG Facilities Management Team and the Conservation Team, who have been responsible for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The project was funded by OTEP, the Overseas Territories Environment Programme, a joint programme of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.

Recycling

We are looking for used drink cans (not crushed) to use as plant pots for our endemic plants. If anyone is able to save cans please let us know so we can collect them.

Volunteers welcome.

Please contact Olivia Renshaw

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