Islanders wanted to save Alderney’s sand dunes

Saturday 13 November 2021

The Alderney Wildlife Trust has put out a call for help, asking islanders to join them in tearing out sour fig from around the island, and in the process help protect the island’s sand dunes.

Sour fig is a non-native species of plant that has taken over large areas of Alderney’s cliffs and coastal pathways.

“Over the last 30 years we have seen the problems of invasive species explode,” said Roland Gauvain, Chief Executive of Alderney Wildlife Trust. 

“This one species of plant introduced only 70 years ago is spreading exponentially and as we see global heating reduce the number of frosts many such non-native species have the opportunity to damage our rich local wildlife.”

Pictured: It is hoped that the States will soon recognise sour fig growth as an environmental emergency.

The call has already been answered by one Guernsey-based group - Guernsey Conservation Volunteers - who have flown to Alderney this weekend to lend a hand.

They are joining forces with the Alderney Wildlife Trust and a team from Alderney’s Public Works to pull out as much sour fig as they can.

Sour fig has grown rapidly since its introduction in the 1950s, creating a matt around the coast which excludes other plants. In the UK, its impact is so devastating that it is an offence to plant or grow it. 

“2021 marks the 25th Anniversary of Guernsey Conservation Volunteers and as part of our celebrations we decided to spend a weekend in Alderney and team up with the Alderney Wildlife Trust to pull sour fig,” said Angela Salmon of the Volunteers. 

“Pulling this invasive non-native plant has been a focus for our group in Guernsey and this year we have removed 60 tonnes of sour fig from 12 sites across our island. We are very happy to help with the removal of this plant in Alderney which will restore the native coastal habitat.”