Air Seychelles Marks World Wetlands Day 2026 with Community Clean-Up and Conservation Training at Caiman Estate Wetland

In commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026, observed globally on 02 February, Air Seychelles organised a community and conservation activity on Friday 06 February 2026 at the Caiman Estate wetland site in Anse Boileau. The activity was held later in the week due to the public holiday in Seychelles and marked the airline’s first environmental initiative of the year under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

A group of volunteers from Air Seychelles, joined by staff from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources, undertook a clean-up around the premises of the Anse Boileau Home for the Elderly, located adjacent to the Caiman Estate wetland. The wetland site was officially adopted by Air Seychelles in April 2025 following the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the then Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE), reaffirming the airline’s commitment to offsetting carbon emissions and supporting local environmental conservation.

This year’s World Wetlands Day theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” guided the day’s activities, with volunteers engaging meaningfully with residents of the old people’s home. The residents shared stories, memories, and traditional knowledge of the area and wetland ecosystem, providing valuable cultural context and strengthening community connections. Air Seychelles supported the initiative by hosting a shared lunch for all participants, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and community engagement. In the afternoon, volunteers participated in the second phase of wetland monitoring training delivered by Nature Seychelles. The training highlighted the importance of ongoing conservation efforts, including monitoring newly introduced plants, identifying and managing invasive species, and maintaining the overall health and cleanliness of the ecosystem.

As part of its long-term commitment, Air Seychelles also pledged continued collaboration with Nature Seychelles to ensure sustained monitoring and co-management of the wetland. The NGO provides comprehensive training to wetland adoptees to support ongoing protection efforts and strengthen conservation outcomes across the country. Sandy Benoiton, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles shares, “At Air Seychelles,our commitment to sustainability goes beyond adopting a site — it is about building meaningful partnerships with communities and environmental stakeholders to ensure long-term impact.

The Caiman Estate wetland and the neighbouring Anse Boileau home for the elderly hold both ecological and cultural value, and we are proud to continue supporting their preservation and wellbeing. Through continued monitoring, education, and community engagement, we pledge to strengthen our efforts to protect this vital ecosystem while also giving back to the people who call this area home.”

Air Seychelles remains dedicated to supporting national environmental initiatives and fostering stronger community relationships, while playing an active role in protecting
Seychelles’ unique and valuable wetland ecosystems