Ecology focus as golf club seeks to transform course

Friday 18 October 2024

A St Brelade-based golf club says its team are taking their role as "stewards of the land seriously" with plans to protect surrounding ecosystems as they make improvements to their course.

La Moye Golf Club said that the redesign project, which began earlier this month, will focus on the three holes overlooking St Ouen Bay.

To protect local wildlife — including Jersey's largest population of grass snakes, as well as various protected species of orchids and lizards — the club has partnered with local consultancy Nurture Ecology.

These species will be relocated to a specially designed site near the club's reservoir, which will provide a new habitat for them.

Pictured: Grass snakes and lizards be relocated to a specially designed site near the club's reservoir. 

Club Captain Sam Nolan said: "While enhancement of the course is the goal of the course project we cannot forget the important role we must play in protecting the diverse ecosystem entrusted to us.

"During this project, we have carefully timed our activities to align with the hibernation, nesting and breeding periods of the animals inhabiting our site and are dedicated to the protection and relocation of the various protected species of flora and fauna that call La Moye home."

The Management Board added that they will work with the Environment Department for the next 10 years to manage invasive species outside the planned improvements.

Pictured: La Moye Golf Club is a private golf club located in St Brelade on the south-west coast. (Andy Le Gresley)

The Museum of Archaeology London will supervise also work in previously unused areas to protect potential artefacts from the German Occupation period.

Lady Captain Cathy Fricker said: "We take our role as stewards of the land seriously and are committed to balancing the needs of our golfing community with the responsibility to protect and preserve the natural environment."

Pictured top: Andy Le Gresley.