Pioneering Seychelles eco-retreat plants 100,000th tree
Last updated 10/23/2009 4:29:30 PM
Marc Aeberhard with Fregate Island Private guests at the planting of the nursery’s 100,000th tree
Frégate Island Private has been planting two new trees for every new guest arrival.
Today, the Seychelles’ leading luxury eco-retreat is proud to have planted the 100,000th tree since reforestation of the island began 11 years ago.
The milestone was achieved as part of a renewed phase of reforestation on Frégate Island, an initiative that by the end of 2009 will see another 30,000 hardwood seedlings planted in what is already the Indian Ocean’s largest endemic tree nursery.
Man’s arrival in the 17th century resulted in the inevitable introduction of damaging invasive species and eventually saw the landscape transformed by extensive coconut and cinnamon monoculture.
In 1995, the Frégate Island Ecological Programme was established to halt this process and repair the damage, and stands today as a leading example of how to create a balanced coexistence between man and nature.
The 100,000th tree is an endemic ficus, a type of fig tree that can reach heights of up to 15-20 metres, and is ideally suited to the rocky terrain where it was planted.
The nursery includes a range of endemic tree and shrub species, from the Portia tree (Thespesia Populnea) and Pisonia grandis of the Bougainvillea family to the rare Mimuspos Seychellarum and Snottygobbles (Cordia Subcordata). Species such as perennials are planted on a daily basis.
The effort creates flourishing habitats for the island’s indigenous birdlife, including the endangered Seychelles White Eye and Magpie Robin, the Blue Pigeon and the Fairy Tern.
Improved tree cover in turn helps to propagate the dense leafy undergrowth in which Frégate’s rarest inhabitants, the unique Giant Tenebrionid beetle and giant Aldabra tortoises, can thrive.
The rehabilitation project that will span generations, with many thousands more indigenous trees required to fully restore the island to its ‘natural’ level of forestation.
Seasons in Style offers six nights for the price of five at Frégate Island Private from £9,735 per person, based on two sharing a one-bedroom villa on a full board basis.
This includes flights with AirSeychelles and in-resort helicopter transfers. www.seasonsinstyle.com
Prices for direct bookings start from arround GB£1,105 at per person per night, based on two sharing for a minimum three night stay on a full board basis, excluding tax and service.
For more information visit www.fregate.com
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