WATCH: Could litter hotspot become place for young people to "engage with nature"?

Tuesday 21 February 2023

A plastic-free campaigner is hoping to turn a "little pocket of nature" into a safe haven to help young people "engage with nature", after noticing the amount of litter being left in the area.

Sheena Brockie, who is one of the founders of Plastic Free Jersey, explained that she often walks her dog in a "tiny pocket of nature between a collection of fields in St. Saviour".

"It’s very close to built-up areas but feels a million miles away," she said.

Despite the natural tranquility of the area, Sheena noticed that it was often "messed up" with lots of litter left nearby.

Sheena explained: "When I went back to clean it up there was a small gaggle of teenage boys sitting there in the cold, just chatting and drinking cans of fizzy drinks. They told me it wasn’t their mess, so I said, 'If you help me clear up, I’ll be out your hair quicker than if I stay and do it on my own!'

"Most of them helped, which was lovely whether or not they made the mess to start with."

Sheena explained the environmental problems with litter being left behind in the area: "It’s coming up to nesting time. It's an important little pocket of nature for birds and small mammals and that litter can cause untold issues for them."

Pictured: After 40 minutes of cleaning, Sheena had collected 53 recyclable bottles and cans from the area.

However, Sheena admitted that she understood the difficulties for young people having a lack of activities to do and places to meet up in the island.

"It’s a shame because the space is obviously filling a need for the kids," she said. "I just don’t know how to help them engage with nature; to still hang out there as they do, but take their rubbish home!"

Sheena plans to put a bird box, hedgehog box, and possibly a bug hotel in the area.

"I'll try and engage them that way!" she said.

Pictured: Sheena hopes that a bird box or hedgehog box in the area could engage young people with nature.

Sheena added: "Most people would just take away the seating, but I’m hoping to find a way of turning it around.

"I'm trying to lead by example by picking up the litter, and using it as an opportunity of creating an understanding of their actions, without demands or lectures."

The Parish of St. Saviour confirmed that they would be happy to support Sheena's initiative to encourage young people to connect with nature through the use of bug hotels, bird boxes, and hedgehog boxes. 

A Parish representative said: "Such initiatives are in line with the Parish's commitment to promote healthy ecosystems and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

"The Parish may also be able provide resources or assistance to help Sheena with the initiative and aid in promotion to encourage more people to get involved."