BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Bernard Georges
Bernard Georges is a Seychellois lawyer and politician with a keen interest in islands and conservation. He is currently a practicing Barrister, lecturer in law at the University of Seychelles and member of the Seychelles Parliament. Bernard is the Opposition spokesperson on Territory, Energy and the Environment. He has acted as a SADC and UNEP consultant in the past and has worked for these institutions on projects relating to the law on forestry and coastal management. Bernard was a member of the technical team which produced the Nairobi Convention relating to the Eastern African Regional Seas Programme. Currently, he is writing several books, legal and otherwise. His first novel – Time to Dance - set on an outlying island of Seychelles was published in 2011. A collection of essays on life in Seychelles is expected later in the year.
Edwin Palmer
Edwin Palmer, is a businessman born in UK, resident in Seychelles since 1984 and naturalized since 1996. He graduated in Physics at Oxford University and then joined Guinness as a brewer. He ran a number of Companies for Guinness including Guinness Malaysia and Guinness Cameroon, and looked after Guinness interests in Africa until 1984. He then ran Seychelles Breweries for twelve years. Now retired, he runs a local "Seychelles Secret" guest house, Chepsted Chalets. He has served on the Board of the Environment Trust Fund and on the National Monuments Board. Edwin is also a trustee of Desroches Foundation.
Pat Matyot
Pat Matyot is a Seychellois naturalist. He has authored or co-authored a number of scientific papers and other publications on the natural history of the islands and has a special interest in entomology. He is employed by the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation and has produced many television features on the country’s flora and fauna. He has taken part in several scientific expeditions both in the granitic and coralline outer islands of Seychelles. He also serves as a Trustee of the Seychelles Islands Foundation, the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles, the Marine Park Authority, Silhouette Foundation and is a member of the Seychelles National Environment Advisory Commission, and of various entomological organisations such as the Orthopterists’ Society (USA).
Rainer von Brandis
Dr. Rainer von Brandis has worked in the Seychelles for the last 12 years. He began at Aldabra where he served as the scientific officer from 2002 until 2006. In 2007 he initiated and managed the successful goat eradication campaign on Aldabra. Since 2008, he has been based at D'Arros and St. Joseph where he completed his PhD on foraging Hawksbill turtles in 2011. Currently, Rainer is the Scientific Director of the SOSF D'Arros Research Centre.
Gemma Jessie Gemma Jessie is a native Seychelloise from the island of Praslin. After completing my education, I spent time as a teacher and as a nurse, before my love of nature led me to a career in tourism. For more than 35 years I have worked as a tour guide and as a naturalist helping visitors discover the natural wonders of the islands. I have also worked on a few expedition cruise ships as a naturalist guide both in and outside the Seychelles. I helped in the rediscovery of the Seychelles giant bronze eyed gecko.
I work as a Trainer/supervisor guide at Creole Travel Services. I am one of the founding members of TRASS and also a founding member of the board of Trustees of the “Ravin de Fond Ferdinand.”
I work as a Trainer/supervisor guide at Creole Travel Services. I am one of the founding members of TRASS and also a founding member of the board of Trustees of the “Ravin de Fond Ferdinand.”
