Team Wilder went out to the public earlier this year, asking for people to get in touch if they had a project they would like to develop. The organisers have received a great response and are now looking for volunteers to implement the ideas.

Some of the ideas included: 

  • Repair of garden steps 
  • Re-development of pond 
  • Making the garden more friendly for the children, wildlife, and native flora 
  • The creation of Alderney’s first model Wildflower & Wildlife Garden 
  • Removal of existing invasive flora 
  • Preparation of site, including dead hedging and creation of a small wildlife pond 
  • Creation of Miniature Allotment Site 
  • Levelling of ground 
  • Creation of raised beds with re-used pallets 
  • Development of Pollinator Project 
  • Increasing locations for Wildflower seeds 
  • Assisting in distribution and seeding of Wildflower seeds 

Abigail de Castella is the Community Support Lead for the Team Wilder Project, who said, “Team Wilder is more of an ethos than a project”. 

“It’s about, how we can engage everyday people in the community – residents, organisations, businesses… into taking action for nature, and I’ve been figuring out how to do that in Alderney.” 

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Abigail is in Alderney under a contract to deliver the Team Wilder ‘ethos’ and said it has been an exciting journey so far. 

“I spent the first a few months listening to the community and running activities that helped build that nature connection. I very much believe that we’re more likely to take meaningful action if we have that nature connection to begin with. 

“We had a moth and butterfly safari and the children really engaged with it. I did some feedback at the end of the week and the last question that I asked was ‘would you be more interested in the future in getting involved in conservation’ and 100% of them said yes, which is amazing.  

“I’ve had another lady who has a field that has been underused and she wants to create a miniature allotment for people to use.” 

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The Wilder Team wants people who have an interest in education, gardening or growing, or simply just have some spare time and skills, to get involved.  

“It won’t be all work and no play as there will be opportunity to enjoy our surroundings, make friends, and enjoy some tasty treats,” the group said. 

To get involved you can contact Abigail or the AWT office at teamwilder@alderneywildlife.org 

Express spoke to Abigail and other representatives from the Alderney Wildlife Trust during a recent trip to Alderney. More to come…

Pictured credit: Abigail de Castella.