The fine art of conservation |12 February 2007

Ms Wood, who studied in the UK and Cyprus, before relocating to France, is spending four weeks with Nature Seychelles, painting a range of murals for display at the Roche Caiman Wetland Sanctuary, under the organisation’s Volunteers International Programme for Seychelles (VIPS).

Nature Seychelles began carrying out intense restoration work at the Roche Caiman Sanctuary in May 2006 and it is due to open to school groups, tourists and the general public in early May this year.

The murals painted by Ms Wood will be used to decorate the Roche Caiman Sanctuary’s bird hide – which will be erected in the middle of the wetland and accessed by a boardwalk – and provide information to visitors about the species found in the freshwater wetland.

“Using art for conservation is another powerful tool for reaching out to people and reinforcing the message of environmental responsibility,” said Nature Seychelles chief executive officer, Nirmal Shah.

“We are also delighted to welcome VIPS like Sarah, who have excelled in their field and are prepared to offer their expertise, free of charge, to the cause of conservation,” he said.
Ms Wood graduated from Exeter University in the early 1980s before pursuing further studies in Cyprus and moving to France.

In France she has worked on sets for films, theatre and opera companies and musicians, and is renowned for her landscapes.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to come here and contribute to environmental conservation in a country where the environment is clearly given such a high level of importance,” said Sarah Wood

Contributed by Nature Seychelles