About Alderney Wildlife Trust

The Alderney Wildlife Trust was launched in May 2002, in response to concerns about the lack of land management in Alderney and to combat the ensuing loss of habitat and took over from the existing Alderney Conservation Volunteers organisation.

The Trust’s inherited the Longis Bird Hide, which attracted over 3000 visitors in its first year of operation alone. It continues to be very popular with residents and visitors alike, with many returning time and again to enjoy the simple pleasures of watching the bird life on Longis pond.

The Trust’s Countryside Interpretation Centre has also been a great success. It is situated in a refurbished Second World War bunker on the edge of the Val du Saou Reserve and boasts fantastic views over the western cliffs towards France. The Centre offers visitors the chance to understand how mankind has affected Alderney’s environment over the years, with information displays covering history and natural history.

An important part of the Trust’s work has been the creation of Alderney’s first two Nature Reserves at Longis and Val du Saou. This allows the Trust to manage the land in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. The Trust has re-opened over 4 km of footpaths in the reserves and around other parts of the island.

The introduction of a conservation grazing herd, the first such herd in the Channel Islands is aimed at helping to control the spread of bramble and bracken, without resorting to the use of chemicals and restoring traditional management to costal grasslands.

Perhaps the greatest achievement has been through the Trust’s education programme, aimed at residents and visitors of all ages, with a variety of events organised throughout the year. These are often free to members and open to non-members for a small fee.

Directions to all the Trusts facilities and information on events, also general information and directions, are available from the Trust’s office at the top of Victoria Street.