FOOD AND FARMING: THE IMPACTS OF THE UKRAINE CRISIS ON AGRICULTURE
At this time of year, farmers in Ukraine are usually busy preparing their fields for spring planting. As a key player in the global grain market, Ukraine exports millions of tonnes of wheat, corn and barley every year. But as Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, production and exports of Ukraine’s crops could grind to a […]
BEACHGOERS WARNED OF ‘WASHED-UP’ WILDLIFE
Following spells of stormy weather, Islanders are advised to watch out for wildlife that may wash up on beaches across the Island, including Portuguese man o’war. So far this year, there have been various reports of struggling or lifeless seabirds on Jersey beaches, and most-recently Portuguese man o’war have been spotted at St Ouen’s Bay. […]
FINAL TREES PLANTED IN £40,000 MOURIER VALLEY RESTORATION
Three years and thousands of trees later, one of the biggest tree-planting initiatives ever seen in Jersey has now been completed. The reforestation project at Mourier Valley began in 2019 with the aim of safeguarding biodiversity and offsetting carbon. Since then, almost 4,300 trees have been planted at the site on Jersey’s north coast, with […]
BIG CHANNEL ISLANDS BEACH CLEAN
The Annual Big Channel Islands Beach Clean is asking islanders to #loveyourbeach this Valentine’s weekend, with beach cleans set to take place in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark on 11-13 February. Now in its fourth year, the beach clean series has been organised by a group of charitable bodies including Littlefeet Environmental, the National Trust […]
CARBON NEUTRAL ROADMAP: LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
The public consultation period for Jersey’s draft Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which outlines the steps to achieve net-zero by 2050, ends on Monday 31 January. Islanders are encouraged to submit their feedback before this cut-off date, so it can be considered ahead of the States Assembly debate in April. The draft document shows how Jersey can […]
SHEDDING LIGHT ON JERSEY’S HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
Do you know what a ‘caûchie’ is? How about a ‘rotchi’? Or perhaps a ‘bouaîs’sie? These words – all in the Island’s mother tongue, Jèrriais – each describes an important site or object related to Jersey’s unique heritage. Many bays around Jersey feature a pier, or caûchie; you can’t go far without seeing a large rock, […]
THE GREAT GARDEN BIRDWATCH & BIG FARMLAND BIRD COUNT
From blue tits and blackbirds, to robins and wrens – Jersey’s annual birdwatching weekends return this February to help record data on Jersey’s bird populations. The Great Garden Birdwatch takes place on 5 and 6 February. To participate, you just need to record the birds you see in your garden and submit your results to […]
HOP TO IT: SPOTTING TOADS AND FROGS IN JERSEY
Late January to May is a key time for frogs and toads as they spawn in ponds across the Island. Local wildlife groups are urging islanders to log sightings of these amphibians with the return of Jersey’s Pondwatch project. Wildlife records are essential for making evidence-based decisions that will protect Jersey’s natural environment, explains Michelle […]
JIM HOPLEY, MBE
Jim Hopley, whose dedication to environmental matters has been manifest throughout his career, was created an MBE in the New Years Honours List. After retiring as the CEO of the Channel Islands’ Co-Operative Society in 2011, Jim has spent much time in voluntary roles. In the past decade, he has chaired various organisations in the […]
HEDGEROW REJUVENATION FOR THE NEW YEAR
Hedgerows were historically planted to keep in grazing livestock, but ecologists now see these man-made structures as a ‘happy accident’ for biodiversity. In recent years, Jersey has concentrated on expanding hedgerows to provide a range of benefits for local wildlife. These mixed hedges of shrubs and trees provide shelter and food for many birds, animals […]