Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

Some of you may know that thanks to the help of the synagogue and some of its members I was able to spend the summer working as conservation volunteer in Madagascar.

Madagascar's long isolation from the neighboring continents has resulted in a unique mix of plants and animals; many found nowhere else in the world. Madagascar's varied fauna and flora are endangered by human activity, as a third of its native vegetation has disappeared since the 1970s, and only 18% remains intact.

The work I was doing on the island was mainly marine conservation doing underwater surveys of coral, invertebrate, algae and fish species and correlating it into a conservation proposal that we presented to the local government at the end of the summer. This will hopefully and almost definitely lead to the area being turned into a marine reserve to protect these rare and ecologically vital habitats from the dangers of industry and over fishing.

Another aspect of the work was surveying the terrestrial mammal and reptile populations an to assess their ecological condition. We also did a lot of work with the mangrove swamps to protect them from being cut down for charcoal and we did sea grass bed surveys to ensure the survival of a vital green turtle habitat.

The conservation work going on in Madagascar is vital to protecting the islands delicate ecosystem and wide range of endemic species and thanks to the help of our synagogue and its members I was able to contribute to this effort I thank all those who donated to this cause and allowed me this amazing opportunity and experience.
The qualification I gained was an advanced BTEC diploma in tropical habitat conservation which has enabled me to be accepted to do a research Masters in conservation when I finish my degree.

So thank you again to everyone at Sukkat Shalom for their support, help and encouragement.

Jack Shepherd