A new initiative launching this month is set to transform how businesses engage with nature.
‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ is a pioneering platform that connects local environmental opportunities with companies in Guernsey and Herm looking to fulfill sustainability goals and provide meaningful staff development.
With environmental responsibility high on many corporate agendas, the initiative aims to offer a “turnkey solution” for businesses to make a measurable impact on biodiversity, climate resilience, and community engagement—right on their doorstep.
“There’s an incredible amount of vital environmental work happening at the local level—from restoring habitats to monitoring wildlife to educating children—but many projects are underfunded or lack visibility,” says Jessi Jennings, CEO of the Nature Commission.
“At the same time, many businesses are searching for authentic ways to support nature locally and engage their staff. This initiative is essentially a directory that helps to bridges that gap, providing the opportunity for businesses to support local conservation and nature enhancement initiatives.”
‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ is designed to partner corporate organisations with on-island environmental projects that need funding; offer educational opportunities for staff to better understand and engage with the natural environment; and promote local volunteering opportunities for nature conservation and the environment.
The initiative works closely with the Association of Guernsey Charities to promote access to volunteering opportunities through the volunteer.gg platform, helping businesses seamlessly connect with nature-focused causes and community action opportunities.
The initiative is already working with a range of local environmental charities, including the wider Biodiversity Partnership Group, and others to build a directory of high-impact, fundable opportunities. These range from school-based and staff-based environmental education, through to data management, island-wide learning initiatives and biological monitoring.
“We are proud to support this initiative” says Alice Gill, Executive Director. “It presents a practical and simple way for businesses to align their values with local action, while also offering meaningful opportunities for staff development and community engagement. We encourage all businesses—large and small—to explore how they can get involved and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for our island.”
Rollo de Sausmarez, Co-lead of the Sustainable Business Initiative at the Chamber of Commerce, who support the initiative, said: “More and more businesses want to do the “right thing” by the community, by the environment and by their people. This initiative really makes all of that so much easier, by curating highly impactful projects in one place. Guernsey business- get involved.”
The Association of Guernsey Charities has been involved in this initiative from its inception,
encouraging partnership of their volunteer.gg platform with ‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’, to promote improved access to options for local volunteering.
Kristin Dowling, Development Officer for the Association of Guernsey Charities commented: “We are delighted to be working with the Nature Commission to help promote volunteering opportunities in environmental projects through our online platform volunteer.gg, better connecting businesses and charities.”