Volunteers Wade into the Depths of Mangrove Research at Cap Ternay
Nature Seychelles' LEAP (Local Empowered Area Protection) project, located at Cap Ternay, recently welcomed two young and enthusiastic conservation volunteers to assist with mangrove surveys at the Port Launay – Port Glaud RAMSAR site.
The volunteers with Nature Seychelles CEO Dr. Nirmal Shah and the LEAP Team
During the past month, alongside the NGOs science team, Adin Shapiro and Matteo Agazzi have climbed over precarious terrain, been waist-deep in rivers, and been entangled in mangrove roots to conduct an ambitious ground truthing exercise for the extensive mangroves at the site.
Mangrove forests are valuable ecosystems. As well as providing essential services like storm and erosion control, they are home to varied biodiversity.
Nature Seychelles, through the project, has partnered with the Department of Climate Change and Constance Ephelia Resort to undertake a comprehensive ecological study of the wetland site. Apart from ground truthing, activities under this study will entail the mapping, quadrat-based surveys, and analysis of the site.
The two are the very first volunteers to be taken on the project.
An aspiring marine scientist from Italy, Matteo who's soon to graduate from university, exudes enthusiasm for nature.
After exploring coral reefs in the Maldives, Dubai, and Bali, he joined the program eager to study biodiversity-rich mangrove forests in Seychelles.
“I’m an extrovert. I love meeting people and participating in nature projects. I love exploring new places and experiencing new cultures,” he says.
The LEAP Project provided the right avenue for this.
With a touch of humour, he admitted his initial concerns about encountering venomous creatures. However, he found that the experience was far safer and more exhilarating than he had expected.
They enjoyed working with the LEAP team
He described the joy of venturing into the mangroves, where surprises awaited at every turn.
As he enthusiastically explained, "I enjoy getting to know what's around me, such as plants, animals, and the importance of all of it," he said.
"The team leaders Rafaela and Lynden are both outgoing. They talked to us about the history of the site, local culture, and curiosities. They created a friendly working environment, which is essential for this type of activity."
In his own words, Adin, a biology graduate from the USA, said he wasn't sure what to expect from this program, besides trudging through wetlands and being in a beautiful setting.
“Both have been true so far, and it's been an incredible experience,” he says.
“As a child, I spent a lot of time exploring and observing the natural world around me in the woods. Being here reminds me of those times, but I am in a vastly different environment.”
“Nature here is fascinating. Now when I hear rustling in the bushes, I assume it’s a crab rather than a squirrel. I've become used to seeing bats flying above and hearing their noises in the morning. But the wildlife here can be difficult to deal with as well, as I found out when a centipede bit me in the middle of the night after being here for only a few days.”
“But helping with the research has been amazing, and it's been inspiring to see the work that is put into conservation efforts,” he adds.
The two also shared lessons on biodiversity and mangroves with the LEAP Juniors
The two volunteers also interacted with LEAP Junior members during their class sessions at Port Glaud and Anse Boileau schools.
Guided by Rafaela and Lynden, the volunteers shared lessons on biodiversity and mangroves with the children.
The volunteers' testimonies resonate with the LEAF Project's team, who described their involvement as invaluable.
