Volunteers join forces to clear Millennium Walk field
A FIELD by the Millennium Walk around the reservoir has been restored to its natural seed bed thanks to volunteers.
Guernsey Water has worked with Floral St Saviour’s over the last few years to enhance areas around the reservoir walk car parks.
On Sunday, around 15 volunteers from Guernsey Water, Butterfield Bank, Art for Living and Floral St Saviour’s raked the field on Rue Patey so natural meadow flowers could re-grow.
‘We are very grateful to St Saviour’s floral group for their ongoing efforts and enthusiasm around the Millennium Walk,’ Guernsey Water general manager Steve Langlois said.
Following the clearance of the site, the habitat will form part of Environment Guernsey’s management of the Millennium Walk.
‘These changes mark the start of efforts to help protect and enhance biodiversity at Guernsey Water sites,’ he said.
‘Our business plan aims to protect our environment. Changes to the way we manage our sites is one way in which we are working to achieve this.’
It took around three hours for the group to clear the field which had brambles and other weeds to head-height.
States Works cleared the brambles which had been smothering the natural seed bed underneath.
‘Meadow habitat is limited in Guernsey so we are hoping to do our bit to protect this little corner,’ said water quality scientist Jason Jehan.
Floral St Saviour’s representative Liz Pirouet-Douglas said floral groups in the island are all about working with and for the community.
‘I remember this field from when I was younger, there used to be cows grazing in it, so it’s great we can help restore it back to its natural state.’
Seven Art for Living volunteers also helped out.
Organiser Andrew Pouteaux said the group does quite a lot of work with the St Saviour’s floral group.
‘We were delighted to help out with the work to save biodiversity in the parish. It’s good to see a whole team of people helping out.’
