11 July 2013
Jersey's Radisson Blu Waterfront hotel has become the Island's first business to champion the red squirrel under a scheme to promote biodiversity.
As part of its two-year commitment to the Eco-Active Business Scheme, the hotel will be involved in activities which help the red squirrel by both improving their environment and educating Islanders about them.
Over the two years, Radisson Blu is working with Jersey Trees for Life and children from St Lawrence School to run activities which include:
- a lunchtime talk for the public on Wednesday 17 July from 1.15pm to 1.45pm about how Jersey monitors the health of local red squirrels
- the hotel's executive chef working with St Lawrence pupils to raise awareness of healthy eating for both them and squirrels
- making a rope bridge to give the squirrels safe passage across a busy parish main road
- creating a tree nursery at St Lawrence School with tree seeds sourced locally by pupils and hotel staff
The hotel will also provide administrative, marketing and public relations support for the scheme and help their chosen charity, Jersey Trees for Life, plant and manage trees for red squirrels and other wildlife.
Radisson Blu Director of Sales and Marketing, Lydia Smith, said “We’re really pleased to be part of the Eco-Active Biodiversity Championship Scheme. The programme of activity we’ve developed enables us to raise awareness of the environmental issues which are literally on our doorstep with our guests and the local community.
“The practical conservation tasks also give us the opportunity to work with local schools and create hands on team building projects for our staff.”
The Eco-Active Business Scheme has been set up by the Department of the Environment to encourage Jersey businesses to support biodiversity. Action plans for rare, declining or significant species to Jersey, including the red squirrel, have been set up by the department, which works with local firms on the projects.
Department of the Environment Eco-Active Programme Manager, Jane Burns, said “The Radisson Blu Waterfront hotel is the only business to currently champion Jersey’s red squirrel and we’re thrilled to be working with them on a range of exciting activities, all of which will assist in raising awareness not only of the scheme but also of the environmental issues facing our protected wildlife.”
The hotel has been accredited as a member of Eco-Active Business Level 3, the equivalent of Europe's prestigious ISO 14001 certification. It is the only hotel in Jersey to have achieved the highest level and is committed to an action programme that minimises its impact on the environment.
gov.je