State Street staff clear weed growth for St. Germain Nature Trail
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A team from State Street in Guernsey underwent the gruelling work of clearing weeds, couch grass, and overgrowth at a tree planting site in the St. Germain Nature Trail, overlooking Vazon Bay in Guernsey.
The tree site by the Nature Trail has been a project that the charity Guernsey Trees for Life has been working on for a few years in association with the Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services (ACLMS – formally part of the States Environment Department). The trees were originally planted to create a small woodland using funds and labour from the Sigma Group, with the intention of improving the wildlife and habitat value, and with minimal cost to the public purse. When help was needed volunteers from State Street stepped in and, thanks to their energetic support, the first stage of the project is now complete and all the weeds and undergrowth have been cleared.
Because the project requires an ongoing base of work to look after the trees established, State Street volunteers will be taking on the task of keeping the area clear from weeds until nature is able to take care of that issue itself. This work is necessary because, if left, the weeds will outgrow the trees preventing them from establishing. By clearing away the weed growth it allows the trees to gain a foot-hold until their canopies overshadow the weeds and keep the undergrowth down by themselves.
Guernsey Trees for Life is a charitable society, founded in 1935 (under its original name, Guernsey Men of the Trees), whose aim is to promote the importance of trees and their conservation in recognition of the vital contribution that trees, woodland and forest make to our planet. The Charity has dedicated its efforts to achieving its aim through a series of initiatives which include planting trees and delivering programmes of education and advice.
Paul Mundy, managing director at State Street (Guernsey) Limited and head of Director Services EMEA, commented: “We’re extremely proud of the work we were able to complete for Guernsey Trees for Life. It was back-breaking manual labour which we overcame with the help of a few petrol powered blade trimmers and lawn mowers. The area looks particularly clean cut and beautiful and we’re happy to be a part of this project. We plan on collating some more volunteers for the ongoing maintenance work in the future in order to keep the weeds back and let the trees grow.”
