FAQ
Doesn’t opening footpaths drive the wildlife away?
The Trust on the whole does not open new paths but maintains existing ones. Every attempt is made to consider the impact of the paths it maintains, balancing the needs for access against the effect upon wildlife. In fact paths through scrub and gorse often provide vital wildlife corridors for birds, mammals, insects and plants. However, if you think we are mistaken in our management of any particular path; do please get in touch so that we can review the situation promptly.
“The AWT are turning the Vau du Saou into an urban park”
We took over the management of the Vau du Saou in 2004. Before this the States of Alderney had a tree-planting policy which saw many exotic and non-native species planted. The Trust is slowly increasing the number of native trees within the valley and with the States’ support we aim to thin out many of the non-native species.To date significant numbers of native ash, alder, hazel, and hawthorn trees have been planted in the Vau du Saou valley. Upon completion of the planting programme, hopefully by 2009, all tree guards and mulch mats will be removed and the woodland will be allowed to continue to develop naturally.
"They seem to care more about conserving gulls than puffins"
Although puffins have declined quite dramatically over the past 50 years on Burhou this decline is not directly linked to an increasing gull population, in fact the biggest decline in puffin numbers occurred when the gull population was still low. The cause of the decline is likely to be due to a number of factors such as climate change (puffins on Burhou are one of the most southerly colonies in their breeding range), food supply and oil pollution events. However due to the data collected on Burhou in 2005, and with reference to seabird work on other islets in the UK (such as the Isle of May), we have determined that the density of nesting gulls around the puffin breeding areas is high enough to potentially suppress the recruitment of young puffins back to the colony. As a result gulls within a 50 metre area around puffin colonies are being disturbed from nesting (through disturbance at the beginning of the breeding season and nest destruction). This is a long-term management option and will require a constant effort for a number of years if it is to be successful.
It should be noted that, although not quite as ‘cute’ as the puffin, the Lesser Black-backed gull population on Burhou is actually considered to be nationally important. The management work that is being undertaken therefore aims to maintain and increase the population of puffins through carefully monitored and scientifically based management practices without unnecessarily negatively affecting the Lesser Black-backed gull population.
What experience do the AWT staff have to make decisions
that could impact large areas of Alderney’s environment?
The AWT staff and directors come from a range of backgrounds and have a
variety of relevant experience. Scientific advice is sought before any major
projects/management work is undertaken. We are also establishing
an Environmental Record Centre and have recently set up a Scientific
Advisory Panel to ensure scientific vigour in all our work (see Environmental
Awareness panel).
As part of the Trust’s strategic planning for the next 5 years we welcome public
comments on developing a work priority list. We will also strive to better inform
the public of any new projects that we are undertaking.
The Trust is a member of the British Wildlife Trusts partnership and has
strong links with national conservation organisations such as the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust of Ornithologists, Butterfly
Conservation UK, the Botanical Society of the British Isles, The National
Biodiversity Network, The Overseas Territories Conservation Forum, The
Seabird Group, the Société Guernesiaise, Environment Guernsey, Action for
Wildlife (Jersey) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey’s Environment
Departments who all offer their advice and expertise freely to the Trust.
Alderney is a natural habitat, why is the AWT trying to change it?
Much, if not most, of Alderney’s landscape is not ‘natural’. If it were, the most prolific habitat on the island would probably be species-poor woodland or scrub. Most of Alderney’s habitats are relics of days gone by when much of the land was cultivated or farmed. In recent years, as less and less land is managed, the ‘man-made’ landscape of Alderney is reverting to a more ‘natural state’: for example heathland areas such as the Giffoine are gradually degenerating into scrubland (comprising gorse, bracken and bramble). Due to the long period of time over which Alderney has been managed the island now supports a varied range of habitats which in turn support a huge diversity of species which are adapted to live in such places. It is unlikely that such a diversity would exist on Alderney if it were to revert to its natural state.As part of establishing our long-term priorities it is important that we know the public’s views on what it would like Alderney’s environment to be in the future.
The AWT has taken over the management of the Bonne Terre
The Bonne Terre is actually mostly owned by the Alderney Society and a
number of other private landowners. The Society consults with the AWT on
wildlife management practices, including just recently asking us to advise
and help with the conservation of Alderney’s most important wet grassland
habitat and the Greater Tussock-sedge which, without the work of the AWT
and Alderney Society, would have been destroyed during the recent work
by the States to create a settling pond.
Fences and gateposts were erected at the bottom of the Bonne Terre at the
request of the Alderney Society who wished to implement grazing as part of
a land management scheme for the site. This work was carried out by the
Trust on behalf of the Alderney Society.
“Why has the AWT taken on Essex Farm?
In 2005 the Trust’s machinery store at the Targets Wall was condemned and when the Trust began looking for storage space it quickly became apparent that not only would this be very expensive (approx. £5 per/sq/ft) but there was nothing of the right size available. Therefore when the option of the lease on Essex Farm became available it was quickly recognized that the storage that went with the site would be ideal. Since the Trust’s establishment 5 years ago more than 50 volunteers have come to Alderney at their own expense to carry out biological research or to help with the Trust’s work. In the last two years we have been lucky enough to be able to support two full time voluntary work experience placements, who have acted as members of staff for the Trust. Living on Alderney is not cheap, particularly as the Trust cannot afford to pay wages, and it is therefore important for the Trust that affordable accommodation is available for visiting volunteers. Essex Farm enables it to provide subsidised accommodation whilst at the same time bringing in an income.
“The AWT employ so many staff, they must have plenty of money”
The AWT employs only ONE member of staff – Roland Gauvain – who works for a much lower salary and for much longer hours than would be expected if he were working in a similar role in the UK. Everybody else you see working for the Trust is a volunteer.
Do the States fund the Wildlife Trust?
No, the Trust receives a grant (£12,000 for 2007 which is equivalent to approx. 17% of total income) from the States of Alderney; however, in exchange it carries out work that used to be undertaken by the States, for example the control of poisonous ragwort and path maintenance within the island’s reserves. In 2006 the Trust’s volunteers carried out work equivalent to that of 5 full-time paid members of staff.
How can the Trust afford so many vehicles?
We use two pickups, one of which belongs to a member, who allows us to make use
of it at no cost; we are grateful to him and his business. The second was donated by
a very generous island resident in 2006. Though large, the trucks are extensively
used and are fuel efficient, and enable us to move volunteers, tools and much more
all over the island. We also use a specialised tractor bought by the Trust with the aid
of a generous interest-free loan from a member. These vehicles are essential
for our conservation work.
“Why has the AWT been allowed by the States of Alderney to lease large quantities of public land?”
The Trust leases no land from the States of Alderney other than several
bunkers. In 2002 the Trust entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with
the General Services Committee (GSC) for the Longis Nature Reserve. Under
this agreement “certain functions” were imposed on the Trust, including the
maintenance of public access at no cost to the States, and the GSC retained the
right to rescind the agreement with just six months’ notice.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the Longis Reserve is on display on the Practical Conservation panel.
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