About the Seychelles Island Conservation Project
This unique island and marine conservation experience allows you to accompany scientists and Seychelles volunteers while focusing on Endangered Species Monitoring, Marine Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration. The project seeks those with a keen interest in tropical island conservation and ecology. Currently no more than 4 participants join a dedicated conservation and research team on a private island and get involved in all the activities of the Environmental Department and conservation volunteers – from field work to data entry.
Volunteer Programme on the North Island
The Seychelles Island Conservation Volunteer Programme takes place the whole year on North Island with the possibility to volunteer for 4 – 8 weeks. The tasks vary depending on what time of year you would be joining the programme. You could be engaged with:
Marking and monitoring of Green (Chelonia midas) and Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) populations.
- Daily beach patrols including night patrols (tagging of individuals when needed)
- Hatched turtle nest excavations – shell counts of old nests (when needed)
Marking and monitoring of the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) population.
- Finding and recording GPS locations of tortoise locations for territory identification and movement patterns across the island.
- Monitoring baby Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) growth rates within a baby tortoise pen.
Rehabilitation of the endemic vegetation of North Island, particularly the Takamaka forest.
Vegetation Rehabilitation Work – Coconut seedling removal in rehabilitated areas, Cultivating of seedlings in the tree nursery, Planting of indigenous trees in rehabilitated areas, Alien vegetation removal focusing on the 3 hills on the island.
Marking and re-capturing the Seychelles Black Mud turtle (Pelusios subniger parietalis) population to obtain population estimates.
Locating and recording the GPS location of White-tailed Tropicbird nests
Conducting bird counts around the island and monitoring migrant bird species
Snorkelling along the coral reefs of the island in order to compile a photographic ID database of corals and fish occurring on the reefs and monitoring changes in coral.
Monitoring beach movement patterns on the three beaches of the island by means of photographs and by using Abney levels.
Collecting and digitalising the oceanic trash that washes onto the beaches of North Island. This data is entered into an online database managed by The Ocean Conservancy to assess trends in global trash movements around the world’s oceans.
Digitalise the field fauna and flora database of North Island.
Volunteer Requirements
We are looking for volunteers with a keen interest in tropical island conservation and ecology. Participants need to be quick learners and be prepared to work independently in the field after only a few days’ induction. The four week programme accepts volunteers between ages 21 to 65, in good physical condition. It is essential that you are physically fit, (being able to hike up to 5 km per day on deep sands and hilly terrain) and have a good sense of observing animals and birds. You must also be prepared and able to perform physical work in high temperatures (30-35 degrees Celsius), at times with high humidity (up to 80%). Please note that we are unfortunately unable to accept anyone who has severe allergies to bees, wasps, or insect bites. Also to note, that since volunteers form part of the Research Team on the island, you will be expected to adhere to and comply with existing staff standards on North Island and wear the staff uniform at all times. As part of the application process, we will need to carry out an online interview to assess suitability.
