#Love Nature Festival 2024

The Trust is staging its eighth environmental festival – #LoveNature over the half term holidays from 26 May to 2 June.

Set in and around St Ouen’s Bay in Jersey’s National Park, the event showcases the wild orchids in all their glory at Le Noir Pré and the work of the Lands Team at the Trust who manage the sites. This year the festival is kindly supported by The Jersey National Park.

Islanders are invited to discover sites in St Ouen’s Bay such as the Wetland Centre and the orchid fields at Le Noir Pré, explore the shoreline, Plémont headland, Mont Grantez, La Mielle de Morville and St Ouen’s Pond – La Mare au Seigneur, Wildlife is at the heart of the festival and participants can enjoy nature and botany walks, go wild food foraging, enjoy birds’ botany and butterflies, enjoy mystical moths and wetland wanders. Enthusiasts can join the Trust’s Land Manager on a ‘behind the scenes’ trail and the Jersey Bat Group will be staging a ‘Hugh the Bat’ talk near the Wetland Centre and those wishing to see these elusive creatures can test out bat detectors.

The festival is very child friendly and younger environmentalists can go on shark egg hunts and get involved in dew plant removal. A highlight is Terrific talons where children can get up close and personal with birds of prey.

Another highlight of the festival is experiencing a riot of colour at Le Noir Pré, the orchid meadows, which will be in full bloom. There are three species of orchids found growing in Le Noir Pré; the Southern Marsh Orchid, Jersey Orchid and the Spotted Orchid.

Mike Stentiford, MBE, said: “The Jersey National Park is delighted to support the National Trust’s Love Nature initiative. St Ouen’s Bay is the heart of our Park, and loved for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural significance. These wonderful events help to inspire and engage the community in our shared commitment to preserving and celebrating the island’s unique environment.”

He continued: “Our partnership with the National Trust of Jersey reflects a shared commitment to conservation, which began with the impactful ‘Line in the Sand’ demonstration and the establishment of the Jersey National Park shortly after. We invite everyone to join us in these events and take part in celebrating and protecting the natural beauty that makes Jersey so special.”