Islanders invited to celebrate World Wetlands Day

Sunday 21 January 2024

Wildlife photography, seal populations and shipwrecks are some of the topics set to be discussed at a free talk hosted by two local environmental groups.

Jersey Marine Conservation and Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark have come together to celebrate World Wetlands Day and discuss the protection of Jersey's internationally significant coastal wetlands.

A wetland is an area where water covers or saturates the ground for prolonged periods, resulting in the presence of specially adapted, plants, animals and soils.

St Ouen's Pond, on the west coast, is the most significant land-locked wetland area in Jersey.

Other important terrestrial wetland sites include Rue des Pres and Grouville Marsh, as well as the Minquiérs, Ecréhous, and Dirouilles offshore reefs.

Pictured: Conservationist Kevin McIlwee will speak about Jersey's local seal population. (Kevin McIlwee)

The World Wetlands Day event is organised by Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark, which seeks to have Jersey recognised as a geopark, and Jersey Marine Conservation, a charity focussed on marine conservation and education.

The programme includes talks from various speakers:

• Andrew Mitchell, Chair of the Ramsar Advisory Group, will start the event
• Katie Bacquet will talk about the Ramsar Management Authority, which refers to a management and monitoring programme that protects unique and important wetlands areas 
• Trudie Hairon will introduce attendees to Ramsar sites.  
• Grace Bailey will share her experiences in wildlife photography
• Kevin McIlwee will discuss local seals and the Hirondelle wreck at The Paternoster
• Bob Tompkins will cover the island's archaeological sites

There will be a session for questions with the panel, which includes Sean Dettman from JICAS and bird expert Ian Buxton.

The ‘Introducing Jersey’s Wetlands’ event will be held at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel on 29 January from 17:30-19:30. 

Entry is free, but donations to support wetland site research will be welcomed. 

You can find out more information HERE. 

LISTEN...

Express sat down with Kevin McIlwee, Chair of Jersey Marine Conservation to chat about his marine research. 

He shared the secrets of a diverse underwater world situated 20 miles from Jersey’s coast and revealed his favourite reef discoveries, including an ancient coral sea fan that was a metre-and-a-half high...

Pictured top: Bob Tompkins and Kevin Mcllwee and JICAS students on a visit to the Ramsar area at Le Hocq.