Communities in Action – Exploring Nature-Praslin families are invited to be “biologists for a day” |19 September 2011

The active non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Praslin, Terrestrial Restoration Society of Seychelles (TRASS), is organising an informative and entertaining ecological event for the family on their project sites on Saturday September 24 and Sunday September 25 from 9am to noon.
 
Trass ecological events form part of their conservation education and awareness programme.
Through these events this NGO offers a variety of environmental education activities with supporting resources to provide people with positive and inspiring environmental experiences, and opportunities to better understand the natural world.

The Family Demonstration Day seeks to help families to care for and appreciate nature through informative and entertaining ecological and educational activities at Trass project sites on Praslin.
It also aims to make both adults and children build ecological awareness and appreciate nature in their local environment.

This initiative by Trass entitled:  “Ridge to Reef - Where does all the soil go?” is funded by the Mangrove For the Future (MFF) and also seeks to raise awareness and engaging community to take part in measuring soil erosion at different locations at Anse Possession, Praslin, Seychelles.

It is a demonstration project of coastal monitoring including socio-economic aspects as a tool for developing local capacity building, raising public awareness and for future long-term monitoring. 

Trass and partners have been measuring and monitoring water from upstream down to the sea to show what really happens to the soil that is eroded from the hillside down the river and into the lagoon.

Moreover, they intend to raise awareness and understanding of the link between the mountain (ridge) and the sea (reef), how they interconnect and the understanding that whatever happens on the hills affect the lower coastal zones.

The activities for the family demonstration day will include; discovery of the rivers and the mangrove
having those taking part to do their own observations and activities with the help of Trass’ leaders; to learn about the roles of rivers and mangrove ecosystems and determine whether the river is healthy or not using specialised equipment.

They can also do their own filming of the event: capture the hands-on learning and fun on camera. For filming they are encouraged to bring their own cameras where they will be in a better position to capture their own experience and also to give an account of the new learning and skills. This will contribute to Trass documentary series.

Praslin families are all welcome to make the day a success while learning and having fun and they are reminded to wear comfortable clothing, waterproof shoes or slippers. Trass members will be coming round to some homes to register volunteers who want to learn and understand the values of healthy ecosystems and further promote these in the community.

The activity will take place at Pasquière (also the meeting point), Anse Possession. For further information, those interested may contact Dr Elvina Henriette, Conservation Biologist on 2722529 or Victorin Laboudallon, chairperson of Trass on 2513370 or E-mail: trass.seychelles@gmail.com  Website: http://www.trass.org.sc

Contributed by Trass and partners