Nature Seychelles - environmental conservation organisation

Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive

Nirmal is a well-known figure in the Seychelles conservation scene having an encyclopedic knowledge of Seychelles biodiversity as well as a wealth of experience in environment management. He was formerly the Assistant Director of Fisheries Research, the Director of the Seychelles Conservation and National Parks service as well as the Managing Director of an environmental firm, ENVIRO where he worked on projects covering almost every aspect of environmental management. He was the coordinator of the Seychelles National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan process and of the Environmental Management Plan of Seychelles 2000-2010. He has worked for international organizations such as the World Bank, IUCN, UNEP, Sida and UNESCO.


Kerstin Henri, Project Coordinator
Kerstin was previously the country’s Environmental Management Plan (EMPS) Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is a professional resource economist who has coordinated the implementation of some of the major environmental projects in the Seychelles including ones funded by the GEF and the World Bank.

Gilles-David Derand, Science Co-ordinator
Derand competencies are on Project development, work plans, fundraising, budgets management, networking and meetings organization. He is a scientist well versed in Coastal and marine habitat survey, fisheries survey, environmental impact assessment, scientific data collection and analysis (Minitab 15, PRIMER 6), GIS mapping (MapInfo 8.5, ArcGIS 9.2). He is also talented and skilled in database design (ACCESS), satellite image processing (ERDAS), scientific report writing, Environmental education, communication, staff training and management.
 
He possesses a Masters of Science in Marine Environmental Protection, from the School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales Bangor (UK); He also possesses another MSc and BSc in Plant Biology, Ecology and Chemistry from the University of Perpignan, France. Coupled with these Derand has also received GIS training at Geographic Services in Toulouse, France and relevant diplomas. Before joining us Derand previously worked with Spot Image in Toulouse, France, Reunion Chamber of Agriculture and Reunion Marine Park. Derand is a native of Re Union, France and is married with two children. He is at home with the dynamics of Small Island States like Seychelles.

 
Bernard Solomon, Operations and Administration 

Bernard Solomon joined Nature Seychelles in June 2006 as our new Operations & Administration Manager  and has the task of providing operational, administrative and logistical support to the program and  the individual projects of the association including  back-up for the technical coordinators and managers.. He has lots of experience in Supplies logistics and administration, having extensively worked both locally and overseas in similar capacity. Bernard is a keen on Conservation work although this is a relatively new field for him. Bernard was born in Kenya and is married with two children.

Liz Mwambui, Communications Manager
Liz joined the team in June 2009 as Communications Manager. Her expertise is in online and offline communications, writing, public awareness, and advocacy. She has a wide range of skills including graphic design and web design and management. Liz joined us from the East African Wildlife Society one of Kenya's oldest conservation NGO. She previously worked in media and advertising, giving her exposure to both non-profit and for profit environments. During her time at the Wildlife Society she was responsible for networking, information, campaigns, and publicity for the very successful forests working group, which sits at the Society.  She has received training in communication, natural resource management, fundraising, and project implementation, reporting and review. She is currently completing a Master's degree in Communications for Development. 

Lucina Denis, Environment and Education Centre Caretaker
Lucina has been part of the Nature Seychelles team since 2004, after gathering a wide range of work experience in Seychelles and overseas. She has previously worked for other local environmental organisations and is putting her experience to good use, working tirelessly to maintain the Environment and Education Centre, its Heritage Garden and plant nursery. In addition to Kreol, English and French she also speaks Italian.

June Zialor, Island Conservation Centre, Praslin
Mrs June Zialor joined Nature Seychelles in April 2009 as the Administrative Officer for the Island Conservation Center on Praslin.

Eric Blais,  Conservation Officer
Since 1999 Eric has been closely involved with conservation work in the Western Indian Ocean, when he began work with the Shoals of Capricorn project, a regional marine protection and research initiative in operation in a number of island states.

In 2001 Eric moved from Rodrigues to Seychelles, to work for the local arm of Shoals of Capricorn, on the island of Ste. Anne, as the Technical and Training Officer, where he was involved in marine monitoring and marine protected areas work.
Upon moving back to Rodrigues he took up the post of Training Manager with Shoals Rodrigues (after Shoals of Capricorn had been disbanded), conducting training, research and education in marine ecosystems. He was promoted to Director in 2004 and led the Shoals Rodrigues nine staff and numerous scientists, researchers and volunteers in carrying out marine environment research and education, before joining Nature Seychelles.

Ian Valmont,  Cousin Island Coordinator

Ian has almost a decade of experience working in bird conservation, management and research. On Cousin Island he is involved on a day to day basis with coordinating conservation and research on some of the Seychelles rarest bird species. He is also involved in staff training, management and mentoring; a new position in assisting to boost Cousin as the best run Nature Reserve in the world. During the past decade, he has worked mainly for Nature Seychelles, but whilst he has spent much of that time working on Cousin Island, he has also been involved in a number of other projects including rehabilitation of habitats on other islands in the Seychelles for the re-introduction of endemic bird species, captive management of birds, and wider conservation and research work on endemic species of frogs and bats. Ian is a qualified bird ringer under the South African Ring (SAFring) accreditation scheme, specializing in the endemic passerines and seabirds. He is widely travelled in the region and abroad.

Jovani Simeon,  Chief Warden, Cousin Island

Jovani is a Seychelles Maritime School graduate with a Diploma in Navigation, Fisheries Science & Fishing Techniques. He first joined Nature Seychelles in 2001 and stayed for 6 months on Cousin as a warden before pursuing the ambition of becoming a professional windsurfer. In 2003 he was the vice champion in windsurfing at the Indian Ocean Games held in Mauritius. He then joined the newly opened Ste. Anne Island Resort as the Assistant Supervisor of the nautical and diving department. Jovani remained on Ste. Anne for a few years before returning to Cousin in early 2005 as a warden, eventually rising to the position of Chief Warden. He has participated in numerous workshops and training commensurate with his position. He also holds a 2 mile Coxswain licence and is a Rescue diver with over 10 years of experience.

Olivier Nibourette,  Warden III, Cousin Island

Olivier is a trained and professional life saver and diver. He joined the organization in mid-2006 as a warden. Olivier, a native of La Digue, has experience living and working on nearby islands such as North and Fregate Islands. He has received training at Seychelles Institute of Management and also holds a 2 mile Coxswain licence. 

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