Habitat Restoration

Engage in the crucial management of La Société’s 24 nature reserves to preserve the island’s biodiversity. Activities vary seasonally, including tree care in winter and maintenance and management.

• Activities: Raking, vegetation cutting, non-native species removal, reed bed cutting, tree guard removal, and bramble cutting.
• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-20

Bird Hide Restoration

Help restore and maintain the island’s bird hides-vital spaces for observing wildlife and supporting nature education. Volunteers assist with practical conservation work to keep these hides in good condition while enhancing habitats nearby.

Activities: Painting and repairing bird hides, general maintenance, building hedgehog and bug homes, and light habitat management.
Availability: Year-round
Participants: 4–20

Invasive Species Removal

Participate in the removal of the invasive plants, which threatens native grasslands on Guernsey’s coasts. This effort helps restore vital habitats for local wildlife and supports biodiversity.

• Impact: Helps maintain the balance of coastal ecosystems by removing a species that outcompetes native flora.
• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 6-20

Wildlife Surveys

Contribute to the preservation of local wildlife through data collection, which informs better management practices and policy advice. Our wildlife surveys include but are not limited to the following: butterflies, birds, reptiles, insects, hedgehogs, pollinators, botany, pond dipping, dragonflies. Data collected supports the Guernsey Biological Records Centre and enhances local conservation efforts.

• Surveys Include: General wildlife.
• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-20

Cetacean Survey: Dolphins and Whales

Monitor marine life to understand the habits of cetaceans, helping mitigate environmental pressures such as vessel disturbance and pollution. This data assists in protecting these species by informing safer marine practices.

• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-8

Crab Survey

Engage in citizen science by documenting crab populations in Guernsey. This survey provides insights into population health and dynamics, which are crucial for assessing the impact of human activities and environmental changes on marine life.

• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-15

Bespoke Activities

A flexible selection of educational and interactive sessions designed to complement your volunteering day or to stand alone as engaging, informative experiences.

Activities:

• Demonstrations: Moth trapping, bird ringing

• Educational Walks: General wildlife walks or themed walks (e.g. bat walks, bird walks, nature reserve walks)

• Bird Watching: Guided sessions at key locations

• Lunch and Learns: Bespoke talks on topics such as Bats in the Bailiwick, Guernsey’s Conservation Herd, Dolphins in Our Local Waters, The State of Nature in Guernsey, and Native Planting and Hedgerows (ideal for architects)

Availability: Year-round
Timings: 1–2 hours (flexible depending on activity)
Participants: 4–20

Rock Pooling and Shore Surveying

Your chance to help discover what species are thriving in and around our ever-changing seashores. Rock pooling is a great way to discover more about our marine environments and observe changes. The data gathered can help us understand how our seashores are being impacted by threats such as climate change, invasive non-native species or disturbance.

Participants have the opportunity to discover a variety of marine species like crabs, starfish, and sea anemones, gaining insight into the resilience and diversity of life just below the surface.

• Impact: The data collected during rockpooling helps monitor the health of marine environments and assess impacts from climate change, invasive species, and human disturbances. This information is vital for conservation efforts and educational outreach.
• Activities: Identifying and cataloging marine life, understanding tidal ecosystems, and data recording.
• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-20

Eelgrass Surveying

Take part in hands-on marine conservation and discovery around the island’s coastline. Learn about local marine life and contribute to protecting fragile ecosystems through citizen science and coastal surveys.

Activities: Eelgrass surveying (mapping and monitoring vital underwater habitats that support biodiversity and capture carbon), shoreline surveys, rockpool exploration, beach cleans, and nurdle hunts to track and remove microplastic pollution.
Availability: Year-round (weather dependent)
Participants: 4–20

Beach Cleaning Initiative

Participate in beach clean-ups to maintain the cleanliness and health of Guernsey’s beaches, which are vital for local heritage, tourism, ecosystem stability, and community well-being. These activities help prevent pollution from affecting marine life and ultimately humans through the food chain.

• Impact: Beach cleaning not only enhances the aesthetic and recreational value of the beaches but also protects the habitat of local wildlife, especially seabirds, which can be harmed by marine litter. The removal of trash, including potentially harmful plastics, contributes to safer, cleaner habitats for all species.
• Activities: Collecting litter, sorting recyclables, and raising awareness about the impacts of marine debris.
• Availability: Year-round
• Participants: 4-20