Alderney Wildlife Trust News

The new ARC receives prestigious Insurance Corporation 25th Anniversary Special Achievement Award

The Alderney Record Centre, otherwise known as the ARC, is an interactive database created by the Trust in affiliation with the Alderney Society. The ARC, which is due to be launched later this year, is a local record centre and an affiliate member of the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). As such it will contain a broad, and ever growing, range of data on everything from bird sightings, to waste and recycling figures, weather reports and maps of historic sites.

Perhaps what makes the ARC most exciting is its interactive web-portal. This website, which will be free for all non-commercial users, allows access to the ARC’s database, interactive maps and downloads, whilst at the same time offering a quick and easy way of logging information.

The ARC is central to the Trust's new 5-Year Strategic Plan and its aim of increased "Environmental Awareness". By encouraging the ARC’s use at all levels of Alderney's society, including the island’s schools, the Trust hopes to increase awareness of the natural and cultural environment in Alderney.

The Insurance Corporation 25th Anniversary Special Achievement Award gives recognition to what has the potential of becoming one of the most exciting projects ever undertaken by the Trust, and although the project is still half way between drawing board and completion, the judges have recognised the true potential of the ARC for the future.

[N.B. a new trial touch screen monitor with a demonstration version of the ARC web-portal is currently being trailed in the Alderney Information Centre (34 Victoria Street). Anyone who would like to try out the new system and let us have his or her thoughts and comments will be welcomed.]

Alderney receives United Nations recognition to become the first Ramsar site in the Bailiwick of Guernsey

Alderney, Channel Islands – 25 August 2005: The United Nations has officially recognised Alderney’s west coast and the Burhou Islands as wetlands of worldwide importance and, as of Thursday 25 August, this area of the island will become the first designated Ramsar site in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Entitled “Alderney West Coast and the Burhou Islands”, the designated Ramsar site extends to 1,500 hectares – some 600 hectares more than mainland Alderney – and includes all the waters from the island’s west coast out to the northern gannet colony of Ortac, Burhou, the islets and reefs that surround it and includes Les Etacs.

This is an important achievement for Alderney and its 2,400-strong population can be justly proud of the island’s unique natural environment. This worldwide Ramsar recognition is the result of some 18 months of research carried out by a local team of marine biology, entomology and ornithology experts who volunteered their time and services.

The rich birdlife of the west coast of Alderney and Burhou is particularly well-known and attracts keen birdwatchers throughout the year. Alderney is host to approximately 1.5% of the world’s population of northern gannets and the only European storm-petrel colony in the Channel Islands, slightly more than approximately 1% of the British population. The unique tidal streams, with speeds of up to 6 knots at spring tides, encourage a vibrant and diverse marine environment, of which little is yet known.

Commenting on the announcement, Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight said: “The United Kingdom has a proud record of designating more Ramsar sites than any other country, and the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are home to particularly valuable and internationally-important wetland habitats. Alderney is a worthy member of this group.”

Alderney’s Wildlife Trust Manager Roland Gauvain stressed: “From the outset, the Alderney Wildlife Trust has worked alongside the States of Alderney towards the recognition of this internationally significant site and together we hope to use its designation to reinforce the importance of Alderney’s complex marine environment.”

This worldwide acknowledgement will provide a positive focal point for education and environmental initiatives while stimulating the long-term protection and wise, sustainable, use of these sites. The news should prove a welcome boost to Alderney’s fledgling eco-tourism industry which already attracts many natural history and wildlife enthusiasts to the island. Work is already underway to produce a new guide and map, which will help to inform visitors as to the unique nature of this area. In addition a programme of guided walks will run throughout the year.

The first of the Ramsar awareness events will take place during the action-packed Alderney Wildlife Festival (27-29 August)