03 October 2006
International Conservation Experts Hold their Conference in Jersey
Biodiversity That Matters: a conference on conservation in UK Overseas Territories and other small island communities.
Representatives from around the world are in Jersey next week to discuss conservation in UK overseas territories and other small island communities.
The Environment Division is hosting the six day conference, together with the Société Jersiaise, the National Trust for Jersey and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Among the topics due to be discussed are environmental education and species conservation.
It is the fourth in a series of high level conferences organized by the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. The first was held in London in 1999, the second in Gibraltar and the third in Bermuda in 2003. Delegates will represent a large and diverse range of countries and jurisdictions, ranging from countries such as Australia and France to small islands, including Tonga, the Ascension Islands and St Helena.
For a small number of local sixth form students, the conference will be a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with international conservationists and learn the latest thinking on crucial issues of today. Ten students from Victoria College, Jersey College for Girls and Beaulieu have received sponsorship to attend the conference. The organisers invited applications for free places to local sixth form students. They were so impressed by the applications received, they invited all the students who applied, to attend.
All delegates will be formaly welcomed by the Bailiff on the evening of Saturday 7th October and the conference itself will be opened by Senator Stuart Syvret on Sunday 8th October.
During the week delegates will visit Jersey’s first Ramsar site on the south east coast, Hamptonne Country Life Museum and Durrel.
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information, please contact Mike Freeman , the States Principal Ecologist, telephone 441628
2. The event takes place at the Hotel L’Horizon. Arrangements for photography should be made through liaising with Mike Freeman.
3. Conference Programme.
gov.je