The Early
Career Scientists Internship Programme
Between 2019 and 2023, the Government of Jersey's Natural Environment Team and
Earthwatch Europe partnered to provide the Early
Career Scientists Internship Programme.
The programme was for Jersey students over the age of 18 who were studying for a degree in science, geography, environment or
agriculture studies or a related field.
Interns undertook an allocated environmental research project. The programme also included participation in an Earthwatch online Community Science Camp.
The Early Career Scientists Internship Programme contributes to the Government Plan 2020 to 2023, putting children first and protecting and valuing our environment.
The programme helped to develop local skills and to provide valuable research on Jersey environmental projects. It also enabled future environmental leaders to realise their potential and ensure long-lasting, positive impacts on our community and the planet.
Earthwatch Europe
Earthwatch is an environmental charity with science at its heart. They:
- connect people with the natural world
- monitor the health of our natural resources
- inform the actions that will have the greatest positive impact
They work together with scientists, businesses, civil society and policy-makers to drive the change we need to live within our means and in balance with nature. To find out more visit their website Earthwatch Europe.
Projects carried out by Early Career Scientist Interns
Developing an education and awareness campaign to increase water saving and prevent wasted water: Every Drop Counts 2023
This project aimed to create a public awareness and education campaign on the environmental impacts of water and preventing water wastage.
Developing an education and awareness campaign to increase water saving and prevent wasted water
Visitor survey monitoring at Noirmont SSI and Les Creux North
The Government of Jersey manages several areas that are legally protected for wildlife. In a small island like Jersey, these areas also act as important areas for public access.
Management requires a balance between protecting the area and providing public access. The government uses visitor surveys to provide evidence to support effective management.
The aim of this research was to undertake a visitor survey at Noirmont SSI and Les Creux North.
Surveys were undertaken to determine the use of carparks and public paths across both sites.
Visitor survey monitoring at Noirmont SSI and Les Creux North
Investigation into the prevalence of palm oil across the Government of Jersey 2022
This project was part of the initial investigation into the use of palm oil across the Government of Jersey. The results from this project fed into the document 'An initial investigation into the use of palm oil across Government of Jersey'. This is part of the response to the States Assembly voting for the amended proposition P.99/2021 Actions to mitigate the use of palm oil.
An initial investigation into the use of palm oil across Government of Jersey
Monitoring the effectiveness of purple dewplant removal using the foam stream 2022
Non-native invasive species have detrimental effects on native biodiversity if left unmanaged. The Natural Environment team previously managed the non-native invasive plant, purple dewplant (Disphyma crassifolium) by labour intensive hand-pulling. Other methods such as herbicides and burning are not an option due to the sensitivity of the sites.
Recently, the Land Resource Management team purchased a foam stream to remove the purple dewplant. This was so that a large area could be removed in a reduced amount of time.
This research project monitored the effectiveness of the foam streamer. The study found that both hand pulling and foam streaming are effective for purple dewplant removal.
Previous projects carried out by Next Generation Interns
Protected Tree Survey 2021
As part of the Jersey tree strategy consultation a project was undertaken to survey all trees listed under the Government of Jersey's List of protected trees. Each tree was located via the mapping programme ArcGIS. A physical survey was then carried out to determine if the tree was still present. The tree was photographed and geo spatially tagged. This project helped inform the proposed Tree Strategy for Jersey which aims to set guiding principles on how Jersey will protect, manage, restore, and enhance Jersey trees to ensure that future generations inherit more and healthier trees than we have now.
Pollinator Project 2019
Piloting Jersey’s
Pollinator Project that tested the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme and its feasibility in to be carried out in Jersey. The research provided valuable data on how Jersey moves forward when monitoring pollinators locally, specifically focusing on insects such as hoverflies, beetles, flies, butterflies and moths. The methodology was also adapted to be shared with schools so that they can get involved in real citizen science measuring the success of managing, creating and restoring habitats for pollinators.
Young people and the climate emergency 2019
Young people and the climate emergency consulted with young people aged 15 to 21 on their views of climate change. An online survey was created, as well as holding face to face sessions. The research findings feed into Jersey’s plan to address climate change emergency, which was recently declared by the States Assembly. The young people’s consultation is the first step in responding to climate emergency.
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