Reforestation: Bringing the Trees Back to Life

Dear Supporters,

For many years we have been supporting the Terrestrial Restoration Action Society Seychelles (TRASS) by providing manpower to assist with propagating native tree seedlings and planting them on the degraded hillsides of Praslin and Curieuse Islands. Last year we also began raising funds to support their growing operation, so as well as being their largest source of voluntary manpower we are also helping to expand their facilities.

TRASS are the primary reforestation organisation on Praslin Island, Seychelles. They have steadily grown through charitable donations from many organisations, and they rely on voluntary assistance to restore areas of degraded forest on Praslin and Curieuse Islands. We have played an integral part in their efforts by providing staff and volunteers on a regular basis to conduct activities at the TRASS nursery, and to assist with planting seedlings on the degraded hillsides. Last year we also began raising funds to support their operations by means of charity fundraising beach cleans.

In early 2020 construction of a new plant hardening area at the TRASS nursery commenced which will allow acclimatisation of seedlings before being planted and increase their survival rates.

We have also participated in further mangrove planting sessions and nursery maintenance sessions. 

Any further donations will be gratefully received by TRASS, as this will greatly contribute to the restoration of the degraded hillsides of Curieuse and Praslin that have been affected by weather events and restore areas of the Seychelles most impacted by humanity.

Having got off to a great start for 2020, of course the coronavirus pandemic is now having a severe impact on all countries of the world, and Seychelles has not escaped. With all our bases around the world having been temporarily closed in late March, there are no volunteers to assist with supporting TRASS activities. With volunteers expected to arrive back on Curieuse Island in mid-October, activities with TRASS will continue.

With Gratitude,

Seychelles TRASS

Dear Supporters,

TRASS are the primary reforestation organisation on Praslin Island, Seychelles. They have steadily grown through charitable donations from many organisations, and they rely on voluntary assistance to restore areas of degraded forest on Praslin and Curieuse Islands. We have played an integral part in their efforts by providing staff and volunteers on a regular basis to conduct activities at the TRASS nursery, and to assist with planting seedlings on the degraded hillsides. Last year we also began raising funds to support their operations by means of charity fundraising beach cleans.

It has been an active three months. Construction of a new plant hardening area at the TRASS nursery has commenced, which will allow acclimatisation of seedlings before being planted and increase their survival rates.

We have also participated in further mangrove planting sessions and nursery maintenance sessions. As well as our quarterly beach cleans we have also continued with our monthly Curieuse Cinnamon Collection Charity Challenge Cup Competitions (CCCCCCC)! Cinnamon is widely regarded as the most invasive plant species in the Seychelles, so in keeping with the forest restoration aims of TRASS we have been holding competitions amongst our volunteers to remove as many cinnamon seedlings from an area of forest on Curieuse as a means to raise further funds. The number of plants removed has been astonishing, with over 5000 removed in only an hour. Through these fundraising events a further £130 has been raised towards the construction of the plant hardening area meaning that we have exceeded our £2030 target! 

Any further donations will be gratefully received by TRASS, as this will still greatly contribute to the restoration of the degraded hillsides of Curieuse and Praslin that have been affected by weather events and restore areas of the Seychelles most impacted by humanity.

It has been a busy three months for TRASS and our efforts to support their activities. As well as continuing to provide labour as we have done for many years, we have also stepped up our fundraising efforts to bring this new development to fruition.

With Gratitude,

Seychelles Reforestation