Since 2010, SIF has run a dynamic Education and Outreach programme alongside its conservation and research activities at Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai.
Along with managing and protecting Seychelles’ two World Heritage Sites, SIF recognises the importance of raising local knowledge and awareness of these unique environments. An Education and Outreach Programme Officer, based at the Vallée de Mai, leada a wide range of activities that engage different sectors of the Seychellois public.
The first SIF holiday camp was held in 2011 at the Vallée de Mai. This five-day camp, organised during school holidays, is open to all primary school students on Praslin. Each camp hosts a maximum of 30 students aged 4–7 or 8–11 years. The aim is to increase environmental awareness and knowledge by using real-life examples from Aldabra and the Vallée de Mai, making the natural world more engaging and relatable for young learners.
Each of the four schools on Praslin has a ‘Friends of Vallée de Mai’ club with up to 30 student members and one teacher as club leader. These clubs meet weekly during Extra Curricular Activity (ECA) sessions, guided by the SIF Education Officer. Members also take part in activities at the Vallée de Mai and at national level. The clubs aim to foster a sense of ownership and pride in Seychelles’ two World Heritage Sites while building greater sensitivity to environmental challenges and the need for conservation.
Throughout the year, schools from Mahé and Praslin visit the Vallée de Mai as part of their curricular activities. These visits include guided tours of the forest, transforming the site into an outdoor classroom where students learn first-hand about ecological and biological processes.
Visits to Aldabra are more challenging to arrange due to logistics, but SIF sponsors an annual trip for winners of the national Eco-School Award, run by the Ministry of Education. Schools earn points throughout the for environmental activities, and those with the highest scores win the award. The prize is a trip for selected pupils and teachers to Aldabra, where they gain a deeper understanding of Seychelles’ environment and are inspired to protect it in the future.
The Vallée de Mai visitor centre include a dedicated Education and Information Centre, which serves as both a hub for environmental education on Praslin and a resource for visitors seeking information about the site and its wildlife.
SIF uses a variety of outreach activities to inform and educate the wider Seychelles community about the Vallée de Mai and Aldabra.
Representatives from SIF regularly participate in national and regional events, sharing information through interactive activities and promotional materials. These events are designed to engage the public in conservation issues and to strengthen support for SIF’s work.
Community-focused events are also held at the Vallée de Mai. These range from fun runs to highlighting the threat of Coco de Mer poaching to hands-on activities such as removing invasive plant species. The active involvement and support of the local community remains central to the long-term protection and management of the Vallée de Mai.