Fourteen environmental projects and four student research projects have been awarded funding from the Strategy for Nature Fund.

£40,000 has been awarded from the Strategy for Nature Fund, covering a range of projects including the restoration of dune grassland, enhancement of school grounds for nature, replacement barn owl boxes and support for La Société Guernesiaise Conservation Herd. Four bursaries have also been awarded for research projects. These include projects to compare plant-pollinator networks and to research conservation grazing.

The Strategy for Nature Fund was established in recognition that the Strategy for Nature is not simply a government document; it is a framework that requires support and action from the whole community to achieve its goals and objectives. The applicants’ projects also needed to address one or more of the threats to our natural environment as reported in the recently published State of Nature 2024 report; these threats include invasive species, pollution, lack of land management, climate change and gaps in knowledge and understanding.

This is the second year that the Nature Commission has worked in partnership with Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS) to administer the Strategy for Nature Fund.

Angela Salmon, Head of Operations and Education at the Nature Commission, said:

‘The number of applications increased this year which reflects people’s desire to support Guernsey’s natural environment and it was particularly pleasing to receive applications from schools wanting to connect children with nature. But having so many applications comes with its own difficulties as decisions needed to be made on which of the fantastic projects would receive funding.’

Julia Henney, Senior Natural Environment Officer said: -

“Since it was first established in 2020, the Strategy for Nature Fund has enabled a wide range of fantastic community and charitable projects, and we were really excited to see such a range of projects and research applications submitted in this funding round. The work of these projects is essential to help deliver the Strategy for Nature's aims of learning more about our environment, enhancing biodiversity and engaging with the local community. This year we have been especially pleased to see so many projects which are helping to address the threats to nature which have been outlined in the State of Nature Report.’’