01 February 2019
Islanders are being invited to a weekend of discovering nature and why pollinators matter.
The two-day free event at La Rocquier School on Saturday, 16 and Sunday, 17 February will promote and encourage islanders to discover Jersey’s unique wildlife.
Saturday will feature talks and training sessions where islanders can find out about different native species and the work that volunteers do. Islanders can sign up to as many or as few of the sessions as they like on Eventbrite and learn about wildlife monitoring and research in butterflies, bats, amphibians and reptiles.
Research Ecologist for Growth, Housing and Environment, Nina Cornish, has said more volunteers are needed to help contribute to local initiatives to improve and protect the natural environment. “We are hoping that more people will consider becoming Wild Volunteers after hearing and learning about how to get involved.
“Volunteers give approximately 5,000 hours to Jersey conservation projects and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. They’re a hugely valuable resource to Jersey and to the work of the Natural Environment Team in particular.”
On Sunday, islanders can find out how to make their gardens and other local areas safe havens for nature. The day will be filled with tips and activities to educate and raise awareness within the community about the role of pollinators and the importance of sowing seeds.
Fiona Murphy from Seedy Sunday said: “At the heart of the event is the seed swap table with thousands of seeds just waiting to be snapped up. This idea of sharing seeds has been around for centuries and today we swap seeds, to help biodiversity, raise awareness and because it’s fun!
“Seedy Sunday Jersey loves supporting the richness and diversity we have in our little island, while bringing the community together to share and learn how to preserve it for future generations. We’d like to thank all the organisations and charities joining us on the day and our sponsors; the Eco Fund and EMR for supporting the event.”
More information about the entire weekend can be found:
gov.je