Protecting wetlands for our future |11 August 2025

ABSA Bank and partners lead mangrove conservation efforts at Petit Barbarons

On Saturday August 9, 2025, in a powerful display of commitment to environmental conservation, staff of ABSA Bank limited,the department of Climate Change and Energy and Nature Seychelles Joined forces to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves.

The group of 50 individuals,including youth from neighbouring schools, convened at the Petit Barbarons wetland, a site adopted by ABSA Bank Limited in 2023 through a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture,Climate Change and Environment. Various activities were organised to enhance knowledge about the wetland, its species and conservation actions that support wetland health,aligning with the global theme 2025; ‘Protecting wetlands for our future’.
Activities included GPS training to equip ABSA staff with the necessary skills to mark and track the different mangroves planted. This training will ensure effective future monitoring. Additionally, engaging introduction to inventory was conducted, where participants learned the methods used for monitoring the mangrove ecosystem. This included identifying different mangrove species, understanding techniques to track their growth and health. The ABSA team also experienced propagation first hand. They were guided into the mangrove forest to collect mud to fill 200 poly pots which were then stacked in baskets. 200 propagules of red, yellow and oriental mangroves were potted in each polypot.
It is important to note that this event marks the fifth activity undertaken by ABSA Bank at Petit Barbarons wetland since the signing of the MoU. The seeds planted on Saturday will be used for future planting activities on the site.
This partnership highlights the growing efforts to combat climate change locally, with a focus on preserving our mangrove forests for generations to come.

Contributed