New manager keen to ‘increase exposure’ for Conservation Herd
Developing and securing La Societe’s Conservation Herd as a way of growing local habitats is one of the main aims of its new herd manager.
Will Harford-Fox officially took over the role from previous incumbent Dave Bartram yesterday, having volunteered with the herd for a lengthy period.
He said it had been a goal of his to get involved in local conservation projects in Guernsey since moving to the island two years ago with his wife, Ladies’ College principal Danielle Harford-Fox.
‘I was involved in nature conservation projects in the UK so had experience, and when I joined La Societe over here I got a leaflet in my membership pack about the herd,’ he said.
‘I knew that Dave had been wanting to step back since February so thought it would be a good opportunity, and in the end it all came together quite quickly.’
While the official handover has only just happened, Mr Harford-Fox said he had been getting to grips with his new role for a number of weeks, and had been surprised at the sheer amount of work required in order to keep things running smoothly.
‘We’ve got more species-rich grassland in Guernsey than I thought, learning about different areas of the island and how the herd can have a positive impact on biodiversity through grazing has been interesting,’ he said.
‘There’s so much going on behind the scenes that I didn’t necessarily know about.’
Among the imminent challenges Mr Harford-Fox faces is integrating two new calves into the eight-strong herd, with the herd’s two youngest members set to join them this weekend in one of La Societe’s Bridget Ozanne Orchid Fields along Les Vicheries Lane in St Peter’s.
‘Once the four of them are used to each other, then we can think about joining them all up together. It’ll take a bit more time yet,’ he said. He added that he planned to stick to the herd’s normal grazing schedule for the rest of the year while he continued to find his feet, with the herd currently based in a field at Albecq.
‘It’s a beautiful location for them to be and they get so much attention from people walking past.
'If we can continue to increase exposure for the herd, and the importance of it for biodiversity in the island, then I will be pleased.’
He also did not rule out expanding the herd in the future.
‘Adding more steers is a possibility, we will have to see whether it is viable with the rest of La Societe’s targets.’
