Interested in Jersey’s wildlife and how you can make a difference? Join us at Wild About Jersey
Come along to Acorn Enterprises, Trinity on 11th & 12th February 2017
This two day celebration of Jersey’s wildlife is open to all with free entry. There will be stalls, displays, activities, talks and training workshops given by a range of local and national speakers.
Saturday 11th February
Talks
A series of talks offered to all who are interested, which will showcase environmental projects happening in Jersey that could do with a helping hand. No need to book, take your pick!
10:00 Making the Difference: The Seasearch Observer Project. Kevin McIlwee, Jersey Seasearch.
10:30 It’s all about scale(s): An uncertain future for Jersey’s grass snakes. Rob Ward, University of Kent.
11:00 The National Plant Monitoring Scheme: Developing a new volunteer-based plant monitoring scheme. Dr Oliver Pescott, National Biological Records Centre.
11:30 The Coastline Campaign: Making a difference. Charles Alluto and Jon Parkes, National Trust for Jersey.
12:00 Earthworms of the UK: A Quest to know more. Emma Sherlock, Earthworm Society of Britain, Natural History Museum, London
12:30 – 13:00 Earthworm Watch Lunchtime Survey Join members of the Earthworm Society of Britain in our Earthworm Watch survey. This involves digging for earthworms, checking which of the three groups they belong to (and what they do to the soil) and checking the soil type where they were found. It might involve slightly muddy hands (but gloves will be provided!)
Training workshops (Choose One) 13:30 – 15:30
Training offered to all, providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved in scientific research.
National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) – Rob Ward & Nina Cornish
Training in amphibian and reptile identification, habitat assessment, survey methods, recording, health & safety. Including advanced skills for grass snake surveying, highlighting the issues in detecting grass snakes in Jersey and how to improve your chances of finding them. We will provide guidance and training on what data should be collected.
National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) – Oliver Pescott & Anne Haden
This workshop will begin with an overview of the NPMS scheme, and how to identify areas to survey. This will be followed by a field trip, meeting at Les Landes primary school car park. The field survey will explore the areas chosen in the classroom. If time allows, some identification of plants will also be demonstrated.
Sunday 12th February
Talks
No need to book, take your pick!
10:00 Corks, Pellets & Rings. Bob Tompkins, Jersey Barn Owl Conservation.
10:30 Wildlife in urban and suburban habitats. Attitudes, challenges and opportunities. Sue Clarke, Wessex Environmental Consultants.
11:00 10 Years of Toadwatch. Nina Cornish, SoJ Natural Environment Team
11:30 Winter is coming…and it’ll be fine: A lifeline for farmland birds. Cristina Sellares, Birds On The Edge.
12:00 Lighting the Spark: Connecting children to nature to inspire environmental stewardship. Stephen Le Quesne, Wild Jersey.
Training workshops (Choose One) 13:30 – 15:30
Jersey Conservation Volunteers – Julia Meldrum and Piers Sangan
Habitat management at Grouville Marsh. Willow management and dead hedging along the stream edge. Bring hand saws, loppers, secateurs, gloves (some provided)… and wellies!! Followed by Kim’s Kakes and a cuppa! Meet at Longbeach car park, Grouville.
Jersey Butterfly Monitoring Scheme – Sue Clarke and Denise McGowan
Learn the basic techniques in identification and monitoring of Jersey’s butterflies and what this citizen science program has taught us. Training in identifying common species provided
Tea, coffee and food available to purchase from Acorn Café all day
