Bioblitz creates 'lasting memories' for children

Children have been creating "lasting memories" exploring Guernsey's wildlife as part of a so-called BioBlitz.

Year 5 students from every States-run school were invited to a series of events run by the Guernsey Nature Commission to learn more about the diversity of the island's natural environment.

The activities included searching for bats, insects, and bird watching at L'Eree Headland, and travelling down to Lihou to find shark eggs.

"These children get so excited by nature, and it is wonderful," said Angela Salmon, head of operations and education at the commission.

"If they've had an emotional connection with nature then it will be a lasting memory, and they will start to care about nature," she told BBC Radio Guernsey.

Among the discoveries made by the students at the rock pools were crabs, eels, starfish, seals, fish, and shrimps.

Salmon, who has been employed by the commission since 2021, said it was important for both children and their parents to be involved with nature.

"Now they can go home and they start to enthuse about nature and talk to their parents in an excited way, and then hopefully their parents will be encourage to come out into nature."

She added: "There are loads of free things you can do like go to the beach or walk along the L'Ancresse Common.

"When you go, don't rush, just see what you can see, look around and you're bound to find something very exciting."

The events were made possible through the education department's Cultural Enrichment Programme, which is aimed at offering children "free, high-quality experiences".

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