"Green deserts" transformed into "thriving grasslands"

Sunday 27 June 2021

A decision to stop cutting swathes of public land around Alderney has seen a number of rare species of flower thrive on the island's commons.

In 2015, the States approved the Alderney Estates Management Policy, which committed the Public Works Team to “managing Alderney’s landscape for the public good.”

Alderney has since seen a noticeable increase in wild flowers on the States-owned sites, such as Braye Common, while rarer species have also been beginning to flower. 

It is the first year that a Lizard Orchid has been recorded on Alderney, whilst there have also been new sightings of Bee Orchids and the striking purple Yarrow Broomrape - a vulnerable species - is thriving on the island's commons.

“2021 has been a year where we have seen areas once described as green deserts turn into thriving coastal grasslands, rich not only in wildlife but also in those enjoying this," said Alderney Wildlife Trust CEO Roland Gauvain. 

Pictured: Wild Daffodils in Alderney. 

“Areas that used to be cut up to 10 times a year, now encompass not only space for sport, but also walking trails through wildflower rich coastal meadows and denser grasslands that offer food and shelter for everything from insects to hedgehogs."

These efforts go hand in hand with the Alderney Wildlife Trust’s management of the island’s nature reserves, and the local effort to support the Channel Islands’ Pollinator Project. 

States Member for the Environment Annie Burgess said the new management plan was beginning to bear fruit. 

“It has been wonderful to see the impact that the mindful and sympathetic management of public grassland areas that States Works have begun over six years ago is showing such signs of success.

"Supporting and encouraging areas, like Braye Common where the emergence of common and some rare wild flowering species can be seen is heartening."

Pictured top: The Lizard Orchid, Yarrow Broomrape and Pyarmidial Orchids.