#LoveNature Festival 2022

The Trust is staging its sixth environmental festival – #LoveNature. Staged over the half term holidays from 28 May to 01 June and set in and around St. Ouen’s Bay in Jersey’s National Park, the event showcases the wild orchids in all their glory at Le Noir Pré.

Islanders are invited to discover sites in St Ouen’s Bay such as Le Don Hilton (the White House) and the Wetland Centre, and explore Plémont headland, Mont Grantez, La Mielle de Morville, St Ouen’s Pond – La Mare au Seigneur and the orchid fields at Le Noir Pré,

Wildlife is at the heart of the festival and participants can enjoy dawn chorus and nature walks, go stargazing, foraging, rock pooling and experience a Puffin Watch. Other activities include scientific bird ringing and nature enthusiasts can join the Trust’s Land Manager on a ‘behind the scenes’ trail. The Jersey Bat Group will be staging a ‘Hugh the Bat’ talk at the Wetland Centre and those wishing to see these elusive creatures can test out bat detectors near the pond.

The festival is very child friendly and younger environmentalists can discover wildlife on rock pool rambles and pond dipping and get up close and personal with birds of prey. They can also create nature themed art and craft at the White House – Le Don Hilton.

Pierre Krizan is a hobbyist filmmaker and his film ‘Wild Jersey’ will be screened at the start of the event at the Frances Le Sueur Centre. ‘Wild Jersey’ was filmed over 13 consecutive months, starting in January 2020. It was conceived with the purpose of witnessing and capturing the changing landscapes and wildlife of the island, season after season. It initially began as a personal project, but now provides the opportunity to communicate about the beautiful wildlife of Jersey, and the need to protect it.

Another highlight of the festival is experiencing a riot of colour at Le Noir Pré, the orchid meadows, which will be in full bloom and which will be open especially for the event. There are three species of orchids found growing in Le Noir Pré; the Southern Marsh Orchid, Jersey Orchid and the Spotted Orchid.

The festival is being funded by Jersey Electricity and CEO Chris Ambler, said: ‘‘The Trust’s work to preserve Jersey’s natural environment is immense and we are pleased to continue our support for such meaningful, positive action on sustainability. The #LoveNature Festival is a fantastic event. A true celebration of everything the Trust stands for and we want to see protected. It encourages all of us to take time out to appreciate the good things this Island offers naturally.’