It’s early morning on Cousin Island Special Reserve. You sit on the veranda of the field station, sipping coffee and scaring off Seychelles fodys and skinks determined to grab a piece of your breakfast. As you stare off into the sea, you notice a flock of Lesser Noddys (Anous tenuirostris) close to shore.

Known for their salt-tolerant trees and intricate root networks, mangroves thrive in harsh and ever-changing environments. They shelter unique flora and fauna. Their extensive roots stabilize coastlines, mitigate erosion, and protect us from storm surges. Besides being carbon sinks, they also purify water by filtering pollutants and trapping sediment and reduce flooding by absorbing excess rainwater.

Rangers work tirelessly to safeguard our protected areas, wildlife, and ecosystems, often under demanding and challenging conditions. Cousin Island Special Reserve's rangers, known as wardens, don’t wear shoes but they are up to their ears in daily work.