Ascension : Conservation Weekly
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 01.09.2011 (Article Archived on 15.09.2011)

Ascension Explorers and Farewell from Olivia

Ascension Island Conservation Team

Ascension Explorers

Last week we took the children to see the lava tunnel under Command Hill. Everyone enjoyed going into the tunnel with their torches, despite the heat and smell!

Thank you and Farewell

by Olivia Renshaw, Assistant Conservation Officer

This Friday Dave and I will be leaving Ascension to start a new life in Oxfordshire.  Living on such a tiny isolated Island, with a small and friendly population has been an amazing and life changing experience. In 2009 I left my job at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to join the AIG Conservation Team to work on an OTEP funded endemic plant project. After six months I decided to try and extend my stay, so applied for the position of Assistant Conservation Officer. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in a wide variety of activities with the Conservation Team, including bird and turtle monitoring, endemic plant propagation and invasive species management. My role has been to preserve Ascension’s unique biodiversity, working alongside local residents, with local and overseas partners and organisations such as NGOs and Governments. There are a number of people I would like to thank for making my time on Ascension such a happy and memorable one:

The Conservation Team - Stedson, Natasha, Nathan and Dane. They have taught me many valuable lessons, I shall miss them all. Stedson has been very generous in sharing his knowledge and his enthusiasm has been truly inspiring. 

Ross Denny, Miles Miller and Paul Cook for their continued support with our Conservation Projects.

All my AIG colleagues, in particular the Facilities Management and Environmental Health Teams who have been involved with numerous Conservation projects.

Jacqui Ellick for sharing her turtle knowledge and expertise.  

The volunteers who have regularly helped out with projects, namely Dave Drake, the Movements team and Drew Avery (CSR).

Please be advised that due to ongoing field work the Conservation Office will open from 0730 – 1000 on week days. Open as normal on Saturdays, 1000-1200.

Volunteers welcome. Please Natasha Williams. Ascension Island Conservation Office. Georgetown. Tel: 6359. Email:  natasha.williams@ascension.gov.ac