Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project

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Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project

Make a difference by contributing and actively participating in our forest restoration project To learn more about the project, do not hesitate to contact us.

Situated in the heart of Port-Louis, the Petite-Montagne flanks were among the early areas to be deforested during the construction of the Fort Adelaïde ( La Citadelle). Today, a largely barren stage-4 degraded landscape surrounds the Fort. The invasion of fire-prone herbaceous exotic species makes the place highly susceptible to sporadic wildfires that spread several times during dry seasons (May

to October) causing air pollution, increase in temperature, inconvenience, as well as health and property hazards. A pilot project was conceived and implemented by Friends of the Environment (FoE) in 2010 with the support of the GEF-SGP and UNDP to reinstate a native plant cover of 1 hectare on the Southern flanks of the Petite Montagne. With our site specific experience, adaptive management and improved restoration techniques, Friends of the Environment is continuing this noble endeavor in collaboration with the Currimjee Foundation over an area of 4 ha on the dryer and more challenging Northern flanks of the hill since July 2015. This project would create a unique feature on the island, consisting of a native dry forest cover surrounding a declared national heritage. Since then, the project has acquired various partners namely the Move for Arts LTD (PORLWI), Trump Forest, National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF), U.S Embassy of Mauritius, the Mauritius Scout Association, the European Union Delegation (EUD). We have a team of experts that are supervising and directing the restoration project since 2010 along with the Project Coordinators. We also aim to continue to work with various groups of eco-volunteers, targeting youngsters and the community through a community-based approach. Tree planting has 'mind-blowing potential' to tackle the climate change crisis and to provide a sanctuary for wildlife.

09/06/2026

05/06/2026

This 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we are reminded that climate solutions do not only belong in distant forests or remote landscapes. They also belong in our cities.

At the Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project, we are restoring native vegetation on the slopes of Petite Montagne, in the heart of Port Louis. Each plant helps bring nature back into the city, creating habitat for biodiversity, improving the urban landscape, and strengthening resilience in the face of heat, heavy rainfall, erosion and climate stress.

Urban nature can cool cities by up to 4°C and help reduce flooding - showing how green spaces are not just beautiful, but essential for healthier and safer urban areas.

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚. 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.

26/05/2026

We were happy to welcome C-Care staff and so many parents to the Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project for this meaningful activity.

Through the "One Life One Tree" initiative, C-Care staff and parents of newborns at C-Care facilities plant a native tree to mark each new life.

It is a beautiful way to celebrate new beginnings while contributing to the restoration of Mauritian biodiversity. We hope that, as each baby grows, they will also grow with their tree and develop a deeper connection with the native plants and natural heritage of Mauritius. 🌱

20/05/2026

🐝 World Bee Day 2026: Bee together for people and the planet.

Bees and other pollinators play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, food security and healthy ecosystems. At the Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project, restoring native plants also means creating more food, shelter and habitat for the pollinators that help keep nature thriving.

As part of this journey, a test beehive was set up on site with the support of the Currimjee Foundation and the Rotary Club Le Réduit. This small but meaningful step has allowed us to better observe the relationship between native habitat restoration, pollinators and the wider urban ecosystem at Citadelle.

Our first Citadelle honey is a sweet reminder that when we restore nature, nature gives back.

This World Bee Day, let’s keep planting, learning and protecting the tiny workers that sustain us all. 🌿🐝

14/04/2026

We all have a role to play in protecting our environment. 💚

Here are some ways to start:

✔ 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 🌿
✔ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 🌍
✔ 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 🚮
✔ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲-𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 🤝

Small, informed actions help create real impact for nature. 💯

28/03/2026

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 - 𝟐𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 @ 𝟖:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞

One hour won’t save the planet.
But it can change what you do next.

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

At Citadelle, restoration happens every day: rebuilding native ecosystems, restoring balance, and reconnecting people with nature.

⏳ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀.

21/03/2026

This 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, let’s take a moment to recognise the importance of protecting our forests. 💚

This year’s theme, “Forests and economies”, highlights how forests support livelihoods, sustain agriculture, and protect essential systems like water resources - going far beyond timber and raw materials.

In Mauritius, preserving our natural ecosystems is key to safeguarding our environment for future generations, including strengthening these ecosystem services through the restoration of native species, as seen in initiatives like the Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project. 🌱

03/02/2026

Our first planting session of 2026 at La Citadelle 💚🥰

Through C-Care’s One Life One Tree collaboration, each native sapling planted to celebrate the birth of a baby becomes part of the Citadelle Native Re-vegetation Project and its long-term ecological restoration framework.

As these plants grow, they will support habitat recovery, ecosystem resilience and native biodiversity - standing as living markers of intergenerational stewardship, growing alongside the lives they were planted to honour.

Thank you to C-Care, families and volunteers for nurturing both new life and future forests. 🌱🌍

01/10/2025

🔁 Un petit extrait du reportage réalisé sur le projet de reboisement de la Citadelle par l’ONG Friends of the Environment, signé La Gazette Mag de l'océan Indien 🎥.

On y voit l’𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘢, une des nombreuses espèces connues sous le nom d’𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗲̀𝘀 à Maurice et une espèce qui se révèle très envahissante sur le site.

🌿 La vidéo complète présente le travail de restauration écologique mené à La Citadelle, entre biodiversité urbaine, patrimoine et engagement collectif.

Merci à La Gazette Mag de l'océan Indien pour ce reportage. 🙏🌱

👉 À découvrir sur YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl1U9V33QqA

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Address

Sebastopol Street
Port Louis

Website

https://foecitproject.com/

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