Success from our latest volunteering day at Mont Vibert Wilding Project
On the sunny Friday of 21 June, we were absolutely thrilled to get out and about with Jersey Trees for Life, in one of our regular volunteer days with the organisation.
Based at Le Cotil de Vibert in St Ouen, the day formed part of our three-year sponsorship of the Jersey Trees for Life Mont Vibert Wilding Project, which focuses on re-wilding and preserving indigenous tree species, supporting local wildlife, and creating healthy, biodiverse landscapes in Jersey. In fact, just this week the organisation launched a new Cotil de Vibert project webpage where you can learn more about their fantastic work at this site.
On our latest volunteering day, a team of 6 including Josh Da Silva, Anthony Kay, Adam Le Seelleur, Luke Duncan, Abigail Mercier, Mark Vautier joined Trees for Life at the site; putting in new terraces, pulling up bracken, cutting back sycamores and clearing the site of unwanted metal. This follows a series of planting which took place earlier in the year.
Alex Morel, Chief Executive Officer at Jersey Trees for Life, said of the ongoing project, ‘The increase in biodiversity since February’s volunteering session with Rossborough has been nothing short of staggering. After finding dozens of species new to the area during an April visit, we organised a survey with Jersey Biodiversity Centre. The survey took place in mid-May and the results speak for themselves, with 43 species identified on what was a virtually barren piece of land only a year ago. The contrast with the adjacent site, which was identical, is striking.’
Mark Vautier, Group Head of Private Clients & Personal Insurance, was part of the team working on the site this month. ‘It is really wonderful to see the impact that our regular volunteer sessions are having at Le Cotil de Vibert. Seeing the growth, regeneration and healthy, new plants make all the hard work worthwhile.'
Lee Refault, Business Development Director, who helped to organise the day said, ‘Our team thoroughly enjoys the volunteer day with Jersey Trees for Life and it is something we all look forward to. Not only do we enjoy getting out into the fresh air but it means a lot to us to see the real progress and difference we are making to the site.’