A shoutout to the Scouts
Friday 27 June 2025
Catherine Fewster, Jersey Zoo's Conservation Learning Officer, gives a shoutout to the Scouts
For the eagle-eyed amongst you, you may have noticed some changes around Jersey Zoo’s Discovery Centre. Nestled in between the Discovery Centre and First Impressions is a patch of land no longer hidden under a sea of nettles and thistles. In an attempt to raise awareness of native wildlife, the zoo’s Education Team are hoping to transform the once neglected space into a wildlife haven and outdoor learning space.
So, what better way to start than by recruiting a team of Jersey Scouts?
As the sun set on a Monday evening, 46 Scouts and group leaders from 3rd Jersey (St Saviour) Scout Group began the task of creating our community wildlife garden. Over the course of an hour, they dug in an old (but leak-free) pond liner, created a bug mansion from old pallets and pots and planted 78 sunflowers for a colourful, pollinator-friendly border. We also had the artists of the group design signs on wooden off-cuts. It was great to see so many unwanted materials from around the zoo and from recycling points across the island being repurposed for a conservation project. There is still a lot of work to be done but the Scouts have done an incredible job at starting us off.
Their visit wasn’t just about using recycled materials, however. It also included learning about the importance of their own recycling. Upon arrival at the zoo, the group donated hundreds of aluminium cans into the Cans for Corridor bins in the car park and listened to a short presentation about how their cans are helping Durrell grow tree corridors in Brazil. You can help us by collecting cans and other recyclable aluminium cans too, by either bringing them to the recycling point here in Jersey Zoo's car park, or taking them directly to Hunt Bros, in bags labelled ‘Durrell’. Don’t forget to spread the word to family and friends too!
This and all their hard work outside is contributing towards their World Challenge Award and Environmental Conservation Badge.
It was great to hear from the Scouts about their take on the experience too. After the session we heard how the Scouts are proud to be able to support local initiatives and provide invaluable volunteering hours to another local charity. Clare Mosson, 3rd Jersey Langtry Scout Troop Team Member said, “Seeing how the conservation area was transformed along with how our Scouts worked together to complete the task, was a real privilege. They all kept their Scout Promise, to do their best.
Alice, aged 11 said “I learnt a lot about the Cans for Corridors campaign and had a lot of fun in the wildlife garden.”
Finley, aged 12, said “I helped build the path at the garden. We had to lift lots of rocks and lay them. It will be exciting to see the garden when the plants have grown.”
Overall, the session was a huge success, and we are now working on a plan to get other community groups involved to help maintain the space. A huge thank you to everyone from our Site Services Team who has helped advise and source materials for the project.