Nature lovers unite

Monday 06 October 2014

You can find out whether you’re living near a snake in the grass next week.

The initial findings of research into Jersey’s rarest reptile will be presented at the annual Biodiversity conference being held at Durrell on Thursday and Friday.

Rob Ward who is studying for a PhD at the University of Kent has been looking at ways to protect the Island’s only native snake as part of the Environment department’s ‘Think Grass Snake’ campaign.

The conference is open to all nature lovers in the Channel Islands and this year the spotlight is on how to monitor local animal and plant populations.

There will also be updates on Jersey’s famous toad – the crapaud, its wall lizard, mammals and red-billed chough as well as Guernsey’s seabird breeding season.

Managing director of Insurance Corporation Glyn Smith said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Biodiversity Conference. As a local insurer, and a responsible member of our community, we believe in taking conservation seriously.

“Being involved with this conference complements the work we do in Jersey and Guernsey with our annual Conservation Awards, and helps us and our friends to promote the brilliant conservation work that takes place to protect our environment for future generations.”

You can book a place at the conference by calling Glyn Young on 860032 or by emailing him at glyn.young@durrell.org and you can find out more about the conference at www.birdsontheedge.org/wild-jersey.