Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) manages and protects the World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...

s of Aldabra

Aldabra

Aldabra, the world's second largest coral atoll, is in the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean that form part of the Seychelles. Uninhabited and extremely isolated, Aldabra is virtually untouched by humans, has distinctive island fauna including the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, and is...

 and Vallee de Mai. The foundation was established as a public trust in 1979, with the President of Seychelles

Seychelles

Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....

 as patron. The Board of trustees, appointed by the President, has 14 members, including not less than five representing organizations concerned with the conservation of wildlife and natural history or national academics of science.

Aldabra and Vallee de Mai are both unique, and represent the rich natural heritage of Seychelles. At these sites SIF conserves:

• The world's largest raised coral atoll
  Raised coral atoll
  A raised coral atoll is a typical atoll which has been lifted high enough above sea level by tectonic forces to protect it from scouring by storms and enable soils and diverse – often endemic – species of flora and fauna to develop...
  
  .
• The world's largest giant tortoise population.
• Some of the world's most spectacular seabird colonies.
• The largest intact coco-de-mer forest and many other endemic trees, plants and animals.
• Unique birds, including the last surviving flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Rail, and the endangered Seychelles Black Parrot.