The University of Mauritius Staff Unions, led by the University of Mauritius Academic Staff Union (UMASU), organised a native tree planting on the University’s Campus in the context of its 60th Anniversary Celebrations.

A Launching Ceremony was held on 23 September 2025 followed by the official start of the Native Tree Planting on the Réduit Campus.

The event was graced by key dignitaries, including, Dr. The Honourable Arvind Boolell, GOSK, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr. The Honourable Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, PFHEA, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, who both underscored the significance of this initiative. Also in attendance were Dr Louis Jean Claude Autrey, CSK, GCSK, the Chancellor, and our valued sponsors, Bioculture (Mauritius) Ltd, Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, and Nation Parks and Conservation Services, whose support made this event a success.

Dr Vincent Florens, Associate Professor of Ecology, in the Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, delivered an enlightening prersentation on “Native Plants of Mauritius: Biodiversity, Threats and Solutions. The highlights of his talk are as follows:

‘The main features of Mauritius’ native terrestrial plant biodiversity were presented, focusing on flowering plants where ~700 species are known, including ~40% of endemics, several recently discovered and described species. The little known native carnivorous plants of Mauritius were mentioned. Using best available evidence, the human-driven threats to Mauritian plants were explored, leading to the inescapable conclusion that virtually all native Mauritian plant and animal species are currently declining towards extinction. Control of invasive alien plant species is by far the most important conservation management required, and much room remains for conservation managers to adopt evidence-based management.’

The planting of native plants aligns with the university’s broader environmental goals, and signals to the world that our university values not only academic excellence but also environmental integrity and the well-being of its community.