The endemic Gumwood tree is one of the iconic conservation causes on St Helena. The Trust continues to focus on securing its future in two areas – the Millennium Forest and Peak Dale.

Nine years after the launch of the Millennium Forest, the Gumwoods are becoming self-propagating as first tree plantings start to produce seedlings of their own. However now that the trees are starting to look after themselves we need to create a fully functioning forest. The next stage is to restore the rich flora and fauna that would have once been found in the island’s original Great Forest. In partnership with the Critical Species Recovery project we have started planting endemics such as salad plant, boxwood, Boneseed and bellflower, to see how well they establish. Not only will this increase native diversity and secure the future of our threatened endemics, it will help to keep invasive species at bay.

Peak Dale is the biggest remaining fragment of Gumwood forest on the island. In recent years it has suffered from competition from invasive species and rat damage. Working with support from of the Critical Species Recovery project, the South Atlantic Invasive Species Project and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, the Trust has now cleared an area of invasives and is carrying out rodent control. The next step will be to fence off and protect one of the most important areas so that we can start to encourage natural regeneration of Gumwoods.

Gumwood conservation and awareness will be boosted by the construction of a new plant nursery and visitor centre at the Millennium Forest in 2010. This will enable the Trust to increase production of Gumwoods and to provide information to islanders and visitors about their conservation.

The project is funded by the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP).

Related Information

The Millennium Forest Project Page