Monday 03 August 2020
Public displays, drop-ins and a presentation with Q&A forum will take place over the coming weeks to help Islanders learn more about the redesigned Biodiversity Strategy - now known as the Strategy for Nature.
Evidence shows that nature is declining faster than at any time in human history, with a 60% decline in wildlife populations over the last 40 years alone and current extinction rates at 100 to 1,000 times higher than average over the past several million years. Due to the basic life services that nature provides, such as pollination and coastal protection, the direct and indirect cost to the economy due to nature loss has been anticipated to be 7.5% of global GDP.
Locally, periodic habitat surveys have shown that Guernsey's species and habitats are also in decline due to human made pressures such as changes in land management, invasive species and climate change.
In the past five years, the Strategy has enabled the establishment of a number of different projects including the Pollinator Project - to support pollinating insects, the BioBlitz - to increase community knowledge about local wildlife, and the DolFin Project - which aims to find out more about our dolphin populations.
In May 2020, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure endorsed the 2020 Strategy for Nature to drive the long-term management of nature in Guernsey.
There are three goals to the new Strategy for Nature:
1. Connect our island community with nature
2. Care for nature to ensure its diversity and resilience
3. Foster and share knowledge about nature
In essence, the more Guernsey supports and protects nature, the more we can ensure a healthy and resilient natural environment and sustainable economy, society and environment for future generations. These goals will need to be adopted by the whole community in order for it to be successful.
To kick things off, public displays will be available to view over two locations from Saturday 8th - 16th August 2020. Staff involved in the Strategy will be on hand at certain times to answer any questions about the Strategy, Guernsey's natural environment and its future.
A public presentation and Q&A session will also be held on Monday 17th August 2020.
Details on all of these events can be found below. All events are free to attend and do not require prior booking:
- Saturday 8th - Monday 10th August
Display boards
Guille-Alles Library
Staff available for questions on Sat 8th August 11.30 - 14.00
- Tuesday 11th - Sunday 16th August
Display boards
Beau Sejour Leisure Centre
Staff available for questions Thurs 13th August 17.00 - 20.30
- Monday 17th August 19.30 - 21.00
Les Cotils Christian Centre
Public presentation and Q&A
If you would like to know more about how our natural environment will be conserved and managed over the next five years, you are welcome to visit the displays and/or attend the presentation. Alternatively, you can find more information about the Strategy at gov.gg/strategyfornature.
