NARRS is a partnership project led by The Herpetological Conservation Trust (The HCT) that aims to monitor the conservation status of all British amphibian and reptile species. The scheme started this year with Jersey being the first Channel Islands to join.
There is growing concern that Britain's widespread amphibian and reptile species are in national decline. Jersey's species are following this pattern; therefore this scheme aims to tell us more about the status of our species across the Britain, using standardised methods in a systematic way.
Species in Jersey include.
Amphibians
- Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)
- European Common Toad or Crapaud (Bufo bufo)
- Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus)
- Green Lizard (Lacerta bilineata)
- Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
- Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
- Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)
There are many good reasons why we need NARRS. It will provide information we are currently lacking on the status of amphibians and reptiles in Britain, specifically here in Jersey, but it will also raise awareness and appreciation of these often- maligned animals, and encourage people to get involved in recording and conservation.
It is crucially important to know how well all species are faring so that we can be warned of further declines and monitor the progress of conservation programmes. The need for data on the status of amphibians and reptiles in Britain is therefore greater now than ever before. Good quality information on the status and distribution of species is very important for many reasons.
- Measuring progress towards conservation goals
- Directing resources where they are most needed
- Identifying important areas to protect
- Monitoring protected sites and species
- Reporting to Government and to Europe
- Informing policy and decision-making
- Aiding development planning
- Land management
- Tracking alien species
- Improving education and awareness
Surveillance data are needed not only for governmental reporting obligations on rare and protected species and to represent them in development planning, but good quality information is crucial for assessing trends and improving conservation for all species.
JARG is currently recruiting volunteers to take part in the scheme. Volunteers can choose randomly-selected one-kilometre survey squares near to their homes. A training event was held in April but it is not too late to sign up. No experience is necessary. Thirteen squares are currently being surveyed and we hope more volunteers will join. If taking on a square is too much commitment we would be delighted to have any sighting of Jersey's amphibians and reptiles reported to us at any time. If you would like more information, would like to join the scheme or report your sighting please contact Nina Cornish (n.cornish@gov.je) or telephone 441624 .
Volunteer Working Procedure Documents:
The following links will take you to documents that outlining the protocols and procedures for all volunteers working within the NARRS framework in Jersey.
Please familiarise yourself with the content of each document and if you agree to the terms and conditions please print out and sign the enclosed forms and return them to:
Nina Cornish
Howard David Fm.,
Route de la Trinite
Trinity
Jersey
JE3 5JP