Wildlife enthusiasts are being urged to participate in a project aimed at monitoring Jersey’s pond life.
The government of the island has arranged a free Pondwatch event at the Frances Le Sueur Centre in Jersey National Park on Saturday.
Pondwatch aims to collect sightings of wildlife in Jersey’s ponds and engage more people with nature.
During Saturday’s event, participants will receive training on surveying ponds and identifying wildlife species to observe.
There are two ways for individuals to participate in the scheme. The first involves observing wildlife in ponds for 30 minutes, which requires no prior training. The alternative option is to conduct five surveys, each lasting between 30 and 60 minutes, which necessitates attending a training session.
Liz Walsh, the senior environment officer specializing in biodiversity for the Government of Jersey, emphasized that the project provides an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in nature.
“Participate”
Ms. Walsh underscored that the data gathered from the surveys would be invaluable for scientific research and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered species.
“Now is an opportune moment for surveys, given the heightened activity in the ponds,” she noted. “It’s a prime time to become involved and gain insight into the happenings within our crucial water ecosystems.”
Individuals interested in attending the training session or learning more about Pondwatch are encouraged to visit the project’s website for further details.