Island Conservation Society (ICS) was registered as an NGO in Seychelles in April 2001. Formation was inspired mainly by the urgent need to protect and rehabilitate the small islands of Seychelles, particularly the outer islands. Seychelles has a long history of strong environmental protection but until 2001 conservation programmes focussed almost entirely on the islands of the Seychelles Bank with little or no attention given to the sparesely inhabited outer islands, except for Aldabra, which is managed by Seychelles Islands Foundation.
Most of the outer islands of Seychelles are Government owned and managed by the parastal company Island Development Company (IDC). In 2007, ICS signed an agreement with IDC for conservation management on these islands. ICS now employs full time scientists and rangers at conservation centres on three IDC islands, Silhouette Island, Alphonse Atoll and Desroches Island.
ICS has also manages Aride Island Nature Reserve since October 2003. Aride was previously owned and managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) of UK. In October 2003, the reserve was leased to ICS and a series of conservation targets were set by RSWT. In 2006, upon satisfactory completion of all targets, the island was transferred to ICS.
In 2005-2009, ICS implemented a major project funded by Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (French Global Environment Facility). The project focused on the restoration of five islands. Achievements include the eradication of rats on North island, Seychelles, Conception Island and major islands of Cosmoledo Atoll, together with the transfer of several rare and threatened species to create new populations. ICS has also led the Seychelles White-eye recovery Programme.
Island Conservation Society was admitted as a member of IUCN in November 2007. The Head Office is situated at Pointe Larue, Mahe, Seychelles.
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