Recently, a group of SLNC employees volunteered with the Ascension Island government’s conservation team, assisting in their efforts to build a fog catcher on Green Mountain, a national park on the island.
The SLNC team helped move materials to the build site, hauling everything by foot over the course of two treks and three hours. By moving the equipment up the mountain, the SLNC volunteers were able to save the Ascension Island Conservation team a week’s worth of work.
“This was a great way for me to give back to the island in a meaningful way, especially since I’m also interested in environmental engineering,” said Michael Couloucoundis, part of the SLNC Operations team on Ascension.
What is a fog catcher and what does it do?
Fog catchers condensate moisture in fog and low lying clouds, collecting water that can be used for irrigation or drinking. “The fog catchers [the SLNC team assisted with] will provide water for critically endangered native plants on rock faces in Green Mountain’s cloud zone. These plants have declined in recent droughts and are seriously threatened by climate change,” say Ascension Island Plant Project Officer James McGurk and Restoration Ecologist Phil Lambdon.
Ascension Island is home to several endemic native plants species that are unique to the volcanic atoll. The fog catchers are just one of several actions underway on the island to protect the delicate environment on Ascension. Learn more about conservation here: Ascension Island Conservation
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James McGurk and Phil Lambdon from AIG Conservation Dept leading the efforts and carrying one of the two water tanks with SLNC personnel assisting the endeavor.
One fog catcher already installed on Green Mountain bank made of squared meshed panels to capture water for the native plants living on the bank.