National Trust, Societe to work closer together
TWO local charities are set to work more closely together to help the environment.
The National Trust of Guernsey and La Societe Guernesiaise are hoping to enter an era of greater collaboration after the presidents got together to identify areas of mutual interest.
‘We want to consolidate our resources for maximum impact,’ said La Societe president Roy Bisson.
National Trust president Mike Brown was keen to see more collaboration between all the island’s environmental charities.
‘We can be a stronger voice together,’ he said.
‘I think this could be a significant step in our fight to protect the environment.’
The first project the two charities will work together on is the new nature reserve at Creve Coeur, which is due to be handed over to the National Trust by the States soon.
About 30 years ago the States leased the field at Creve Coeur as an emergency landfill site, after the island ran out of space at Bordeaux.
The field was used for waste and then covered over. Since then it has been fenced off.
‘We already have knowledge of the site as our commercial arm have been doing some of the work at the site on behalf of the States,' said Mr Bisson.
‘We are delighted to be working alongside the National Trust, and are really looking forward to the public being able to see the fauna and flora at this site. It will be of benefit to the whole island.’
The four-hectare site, sandwiched between Mont Cuet and L’Ancresse, has been in the hands of the States for decades.
It is known as an important area for ground-nesting birds and one of the best places on the island to see owls feeding.
No firm plans for the new reserve have been announced, but parts will probably be reserved for wildlife with other areas accessible for the public to enjoy.
The two charities have also cooperated to lend their voices to objections to the building of key-worker housing on a greenfield site near the PEH, and Mr Brown feels this will just be the first of many joint ventures.
‘There has always been some collaboration between our two charities before, but perhaps not at the very top. That will change now as we aim to meet regularly to discuss matters that concern both charities.’
