News

When most people think about working at Jersey Zoo and Durrell, they probably imagine someone working daily with animals, like one of our keepers or vets. But there are so many varied roles and a large number of people that work behind the scenes, including myself as Trusts and Foundations Manager.

So, what does my role entail?

Essentially, I’m matchmaker between those that are looking to offer funding support and our conservation projects overseas and in Jersey Zoo. To do this, I work with staff at our sites around the world and at the zoo, to help bring to life and highlight the impact that our programmes have in saving species. Then I get to enjoy chatting to professional trustees about the real need we have for funding, which they then pass on to their clients. This can be anything from refurbishing an enclosure for breeding a Critically Endangered species, or the support we need with the vital running costs of our programme to save the tiny pygmy hog in India.

A large part of my job is working with trustees, especially in Jersey and the UK, to help show how this support is adding value, whilst building their relationship with their client. This includes sharing with them personal updates and detailed reports or the opportunity for their client to hear directly from our amazing conservationists on the ground – in Jersey, Madagascar and even the Galapagos!

Funding from trusts and foundations is vital in enabling us to deliver our programmes to save species from extinction and this funding covers so many different areas of the work we undertake. For example, currently trusts are helping us to purchase new veterinary equipment at Jersey Zoo, cover volunteer costs in Galapagos, undertake zoo aviary refurbishment for Critically Endangered species, and provide scholarships for young conservationists from Madagascar – who are set to be the next generation of leaders in conservation. The gelada enclosure at Jersey Zoo was kindly funded through a trust grant.

We are so grateful for all the support we have received from Jersey based Trusts, however there are still lots of opportunities for trusts and foundations to support our multitude of incredibly impactful rewilding programmes around the world, as well as some exciting projects coming up at Jersey Zoo. For example, we are currently looking to fund our Jersey schools programme, as well as scholarships for young conservationists from around the globe to learn at our Academy in Jersey.

If you would like to find out more about how trust and grants can support our work, we would love to hear from you. You can contact me directly by emailing kate.mackay@durrell.org