On the 18th May representatives from the GSPCA, St Andrews Floral Group, RSPB Guernsey, Guernsey Trees for Life and the Little Tree Project who are all part of the 'Going Wild at the GSPCA Project' welcomed the judges from the Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards.
The judging marked the anniversary from when St Andrews Floral Group started supporting the GSPCA in helping develop the grounds around our wonderful site in the heart of Guernsey.
The work undertaken has included everything from planting natural willow hedges to improving the bio-diversity on site.
The work has a keen focus on conservation and has seen in excess of 100 volunteers now helping with the flora, fauna and improving the grounds for the wildlife that live in and around the GSPCA.
Ann Wragg the team leader of St Andrews Floral Group led the judges around the GSPCA to talk about what has been achieved in the last year and the fantastic plans that with funding can be achieved in the future.
Donna Francis from the Guernsey RSPB who do so much to help the wildlife in Guernsey talked about how they have helped improve the GSPCA grounds by setting up boxes for tits, sparrows, woodpeckers, bats, also planted wild flower seeds, created an insect house to mention just a sample of the support they have given.
Nigel Clarke from Guernsey Trees for Life talked about the plant and tree selection around the site to reduce allergy issues from pollen by selecting local species of a gender to ensure an environment to be pleasurable to visitors and the animals on site.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager who also walked around with the group talked about the 1000's of wild animals that we help at the GSPCA every year and how during our founding 143 years education was an integral part of the charity and that it continues today.
Each year the GSPCA welcomes tens of thousands of visitors at the Shelter from guided tours to school visits and the developments we are working towards are to help educate islanders and visitors as well as help conservation in Guernsey.
He talked about the plans and wishes of the GSPCA and how we would like to improve the grounds for visitors and wildlife, also how the site is being opened up more and more for the community.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "It was lovely to show around the Insurance Corporation Conservation Award judging panel with our partners St Andrews Floral Group, RSPB Guernsey, Guernsey Trees for Life and the Little Tree Project who have been helping us with the 'Going Wild at the GSPCA Project'."
"Not only did they get to see some of the amazing transformations that have already taken place to help conservation here in St Andrews, they also got to see some of the wildlife in our care including Olivia the turtle and Bonnie the seal pup."
"We know there will be many worthy projects in Guernsey doing fantastic conservation work and we would like to thank the Insurance Corporation Conservation Award judging panel for taking the time to look at our application, visiting our wonderful Animal Shelter grounds and finding out about our future plans and wishes to improve things for wildlife here in the heart of Guernsey."
"The awards are now open and we would urge everyone to please take a look at the great projects going on across the Channel Islands and please vote for us to help us with our work here at the GSPCA."
"If successful the funding would be put towards the continued work on the pond, wildlife areas and improving the grounds for the community and diversifying the habitat for wildlife in partnership with enriching the environment for the animals in the care at the GSPCA."
The GSPCA and St Andrews Floral Group are appealing for help and support with the projects on site and with improving the wildlife rehabilitation facilities at the Animal Shelter.
Some of the projects include:
Improving the pond on site to make deeper sections and a pond dipping area for children
Improving the fields on site and moving soil
Making a new bank (pending planning permission)
Repairing a retaining wall
Tiling the seal and turtle wildlife rehabilitation area
Tiling the floor in the wildlife and hedgehog unit
Placing a new floor in the wildlife hospital area
Replanting the hanging baskets and planters around site
Planting hedging
Providing a picnic area
Improving the memorial garden
Putting bird nesting and box boxes around site
Building a larger pool for the seals and oiled birds
Putting path ways for visitors
Landscaping and much more.......
So far St Andrews Floral Group have managed to raise donations from Situations Recruitment, the Co-op Eco Fund and Men of the Tress, RSPB and we are hugely grateful to all involved and helped so far. Some of the volunteers that have helped on site at the GSPCA include Situations Recruitment, RBS, Elizabeth College, Waitrose, the Probation Service, RSPB, Northern Trust, Medical Specialist Group, staff from Quex Gardens and of course the St Andrews Floral Group volunteers as well as others.
Much of this work is not only to help wildlife locally but we will also be opening the site much more to visitors to enjoy.
If you would like to get involved or like to support us in improving the grounds or facilities you can email the GSPCA Manager [email protected] or Ann Wragg from St Andrews Floral Group [email protected]
If you would like to donate online please click the paypal link below and reference 'St Andrews Floral Group help the GSPCA' so we can allocate the funds to the project.
To donate to the turtle or Bonnie the grey seal pup please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the link below.
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There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.
By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
Or by phone 01481 257261.
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