New homes for Jersey bats installed thanks to The Channel Islands Co-operative Society

BATS have been given new homes at Jersey Mencap’s pond site with support from The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Eco-Fund.

Jersey Mencap, a charity that supports children and adults with a learning disability, has been busy improving the site after receiving a £1,315 grant from the Society’s Eco-Fund last year – including installing new bat and bird boxes. The site features a reservoir, woodland and marshland with a variety of wildlife, and helps people with a learning disability gain skills in conservation and general work experience.

‘It’s great to hear how the Eco-Fund is making a difference to community projects like this one, which benefits the community and the environment. Since we launched the fund in 2008, more than £280,000 has been distributed to environment causes across the Channel Islands. Eco-Fund grants are now available this year, but there isn’t long left to get applications and organisations need to get them in by 8 July,’ said the Society’s chief marketing officer, Greg Yeoman.

Alex Wiles, manager of Jersey Mencap, said the pond project was going from strength to strength with new activities planned this summer thanks to support from The Channel Islands Co-operative Society.

‘This year, we have been focused on preparing an area for a flower meadow. We’ve installed new bat and bird boxes, and enjoyed an evening bat watching with the Jersey Bat Group. The willow bird hides at the site have also come into their own this year alongside with the well-used picnic area,’ said Miss Wiles.

The Jersey Mencap manager added: ‘Our plans for the future include tree planting, bracken control and to offer more corporate sessions, which have proved very popular and help raise awareness of Jersey Mencap. We’re looking forward to running our art sessions from the site this summer alongside a programme of new activities at the pond.’

Applications for Eco-Fund grants can be completed online or downloaded at www.channelislands.coop/eco-fund. Completed applications can be posted to Julie Le Cornu, Marketing & PR Manager, Co-operative House, 57 Don St, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4TR.