TWO environmental groups are hosting a free event at the end of the month to discuss wetlands, wildlife photography, seal populations and a shipwreck.
“Introducing Jersey’s Wetlands” – organised by Jersey Marine Conservation and Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark – celebrates World Wetlands Day (29 January) and Jersey’s important 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.
Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark seeks to have Jersey recognised as a geopark, a status given to locations where there is a strong relationship between people and the Earth.
Meanwhile, Jersey Marine Conservation is a charity led by volunteers focused on marine conservation and education, which is co-ordinating and presenting the event.
Speakers at the event include Ramsar Advisory Group chair Andrew Mitchell.
Katie Bacquet meanwhile will talk about the Ramsar Management Authority, a management and monitoring programme that protects unique and important wetland areas.
Other speakers include Trudie Hairon, who will introduce attendees to Ramsar sites; Grace Bailey, who will share her experiences in wildlife photography; and Kevin McIlwee, who will discuss local seals and the wreck of the Hirondelle, an iron cargo ship that sank off the Paternosters in 1917.
Environmentalist and JEP writer Bob Tompkins will cover the Island’s archaeological sites.
There will be a session for questions and answers with the panel, including Sean Dettman from JICAS and bird expert Ian Buxton.
The event will be held at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel on 29 January from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. It is free to enter but donations to support wetland site research will be welcomed.
