Sustainability Hero: Guernsey Conservation Volunteers

GUERNSEY CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS have been nominated for the Sustainability Hero of the Year award, sponsored by Aon.

GUERNSEY CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS have been nominated for the Sustainability Hero of the Year award, sponsored by Aon.

There are currently 50 volunteers but many of their projects extend to volunteers outside the GCV members including school groups, Scouts and corporate groups.

The nominator, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: ‘Come rain or shine, the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers can be seen out and about around the island getting their hands dirty to keep Guernsey’s natural environment and nature reserves maintained.

‘From looking after trees to tending reed beds or the removal of harmful plant species, the volunteers are not afraid of rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty to help protect the natural environment and help with any nature conservation projects around the island.’

Some of their recent work includes pulling an invasive sour fig species from the headlands and removing hay from a meadow at Jerbourg to allow wildflowers to grow.

The group was set up in 1996 by a small group from the Environment Department who wanted to do practical conservation work at the weekend.

Angela Salmon, the group’s coordinator, said the nomination was very exciting.