The revised draft will be going out to further consultation following this first round of feedback.
The 2022 Island Plan produced by the States of Alderney commited to producing a Biodiversity Strategy.
The General Services Committee (GSC), which is leading the work, said the new draft reflects “the urgent need for a unified response to biodiversity loss on the island”.
Pictured: Alderney’s Braye Beach.
The strategy’s key purpose will be “to offer strategic guidance for conservation work programmes and operational-level activities on States land”.
The document states, that, in this way “biodiversity on Alderney can be maintained and enhanced and reflects the commitment made in the Blue Islands Charter signed in 2019”.
It further states that “this will be achieved by bringing together existing work undertaken by the States of Alderney and a wide range of ongoing work programmes and action plans from organisations helping to manage States land”.
The first public drop-in saw a section of the community seemingly alarmed that the proposed strategy would lead to the imposition of new laws.
GSC Chairman Boyd Kelly emphasised that will not be the case.
“There is no desire to enact laws, taxes or ordinances from these guiding principles, or for this document to be used to justify the future enactment of legislation,” he said.
Pictured: Boyd Kelly, and the Island Hall.
The revised draft covers a number of examples of how a biodiverse environment benefits Alderney, including:
- Tourism – the Island’s wildlife is a key attraction
- Fishing – promoting the resilience of fish and shellfish stocks
- Farming – assisting pollination and reducing crop diseases
- Nature-based waste management solutions to reduce the impact of current waste
management practices - Flood protection and coastal defences
- Wellbeing through the health benefits of a truly biodiverse environment
- The potential for internationally significant research
The strategy also seeks to improve access to nature and education as well as increased awareness and integration with local businesses. This would mean the States would integrate environmental considerations into its internal decision-making processes and the allocation of resources.
“We must protect our local resources to give Alderney’s habitats and species the best opportunity to withstand or adapt to the impacts of climate change,” added Mr Kelly. “We are convinced the majority of the Island’s residents would agree with this but we want to be sure the public is behind this direction of travel and do it by consensus because that’s the right thing to do.”
The new draft together with a feedback form is now published HERE and is available in printed format at the Island Hall General Office.
A second drop-in for members of the public to discuss the amended proposals has been scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon, October 5 between 14:00 and 18:00. This will be held in the Anne French Room of the Island Hall.
