Youth Offenders Help Reforest Curieuse Island

The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) recently partnered with the Seychelles Prison Services through its Rehabilitation Program for youth offenders on Praslin to spearhead a tree-planting initiative on Curieuse Island. The activity, held earlier this month, saw young participants from the Youth Offenders Facility actively help restore degraded forest areas on the Island, while gaining valuable skills and fostering personal growth. These trees will bolster biodiversity and enhance the island’s resilience to climate change.

The initiative transcended traditional conservation work by integrating youth offenders into its core mission. Participants received hands-on experience in restoration and conservation efforts. SPGA has long advocated for synergies between environmental action and social equity. By engaging these youth, the authority addressed two urgent priorities: ecological preservation and social reintegration. By restoring degraded landscapes and empowering young individuals to rebuild their lives, SPGA underscores a powerful truth: when nature thrives, communities thrive.