Ecosystem Projects

Earth Day Festival
Published on May 5, 2015
​
SBC coverage of the Earth Day Festival 2015 in Seychelles. Green Islands Foundation Shark Education campaign funded by UNDP GEF SGP and ETF. Raising awareness on the role and importance of sharks in the ocean. Organized by Sustainability for Seychelles and Port Glaud Environment Club.

---

Enhancing Community Participation in Sustainable Coastal Management

​Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) has applied for a small grant from Mangroves for the Future (MFF) to help Port Glaud community become more involved in management of their natural and cultural heritage and explore new options for improving livelihoods based on sustainable use of their natural environment. The project is timely as the opening of the Constance Ephelia Resort this year creates some opportunities for residents to set up small businesses to benefit from increased tourism traffic in their district.

The Port Launay wetland is rich in biodiversity and other natural resources (ILLUSTRATION Sustainability for Seychelles)

Under this project, S4S will help set up a community based organization to oversee the project, lead and coordinate sustainable coastal development in the district. Project partners also include Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (SEnPA), Seychelles Heritage Foundation and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR)

S4S will also conduct a community survey to assess community and stakeholder knowledge, attitudes and involvement regarding sustainable coastal management, natural and cultural heritage, the mangrove swamp and climate change. Workshops are also planned to develop a Sustainable Plan with the community. This will include: mapping of site of interest in the district, identification of potential small businesses/ecotourism activities, ideas for cultural events, ensuring that the hotel is run in a sustainable way for the district.

Members of the Port Glaud community visit Constance Ephelia Resort (PHOTO Sustainability for Seychelles)

As with any project there will be an education and awareness program (outreach, site visits, walking tours, clean ups, etc.) for the community, hotel staff and other stakeholders on the importance of the mangrove, climate change, etc. and produce educational materials where needed to support the programs.

A pensioner from Port Glaud collects shells within the Port Launay Wetland for fish bait (PHOTO Sustainability for Seychelles)