21 May 2010
The Environment Division will be judging Countryside Renewal Scheme (CRS) projects that received funding in 2009 and have been successfully completed and subsequently nominated for the annual scheme awards.
The independent CRS judging panel will be viewing the 6 nominated projects on Friday 21 May 2010. The successful projects include:
- hedgerow creation and restoration
- footpath creation
- woodland management
- grassland management for wildlife
- bracken control
- wetland management
- gorse thinning
Assistant Minister for Planning and the Environment, Deputy Robert Duhamel, says “This scheme is fundamentally important to conserving and enhancing our Island’s natural environment. We are reinforcing the message that preserving our environment and landscape go hand-in-hand with sustainable agricultural practices in Jersey’s farming industry.”
The Countryside Renewal Scheme, established in 2005, aims to protect and enhance Jersey’s biodiversity while securing a prosperous future for the Island’s agriculture and the rural economy. It achieves this by awarding grants to farmers, landowners and land managers to undertake practical nature conservation projects which benefit the countryside.
Last year's winner, The Jersey Royal Company, said “The Countryside Renewal Scheme has given us the opportunity to plant 340 metres of hedgerow, sow over 40 vergees of arable crops for wildlife and create an environmental management plan for our holding, all of which have allowed us to continue to improve the diverse habitats on the farm.”
The winner of ‘Algea,’ the CRS toad award, also wins a weekend stay at Gerald Addicot's Cotswold farm with its extensive range of wildlife enhancement features, renowned environmental standards and eco–friendly farm accommodation.
Awards and certificates of merit are to be presented at the CRS open day at Samarés Manor on Friday 18 June 2010.