Creating a Wildlife Haven

Sustainability sits at the heart of La Grande Mare. From biodiversity-led course management to eco-conscious design, we’re committed to creating a place where sport and nature thrive together. Our Ecologist & Sustainability Operations Officer, Grace Dovey, has been part of the La Grande Mare team since the project’s inception, monitoring the site over the past five years. Here, she explains more about how we’re safeguarding La Grande Mare’s island wildlife habitat for future generations.

“La Grande Mare environmental protection is vital, and the enhancement of the flora and fauna here has always been an integral part of the redevelopment. We want islanders to be able to enjoy the wildlife that thrives here, either year-round or during the changing seasons.

Welcoming New Visitors

“We have been undertaking ecological surveys on site since the start of 2021.  It’s been staggering to see the abundant wildlife already populating the 120-acre site, and it is a joy to witness several firsts. This year, the Red-veined Darter successfully bred on site for the first time since last recorded in 2015, and the Common Blue Damselfly and Small Red-eye Damselfly have shown signs of breeding on site for the first time. Since 2021, we’ve also recorded 19 butterfly, 7 bat and 100 different bird species, and last year, we noted the first-ever Channel Islands sighting of Lesser Yellowlegs on the newly-created wetland and Scaup have become regular visitors. We want to encourage more wildlife to thrive here at La Grande Mare and we’re looking forward to sharing these achievements with islanders.

Planting for the Future

“We’ve also planted over 1,500 native and site-adapted trees and 1,700 plants, with a further 750 ornamental plants salvaged from the old hotel site and used within the Golf Performance Centre. We’re also growing 1,600 trees and plants, all propagated from seed collection and hardwood cuttings. All of the planting is 100 per cent organic and tree and plant species include: English Oak, Black Poplar, Aspen, Norwegian Maple, Weeping Willow and Portugese Laurel.

Encouraging Community Engagement

Our collaboration with the Pollinator Project plays a vital role in enhancing biodiversity at La Grande Mare. Together, we conduct invertebrate surveys and manage habitats that support key pollinator species, including bees, butterflies and dragonflies. These efforts not only contribute to ecological health but also provide valuable learning opportunities.

Over the years, we’ve welcomed Sixth Form students, university students, and volunteers to participate in hands-on ecological survey work. These immersive experiences have sparked curiosity, built skills, and helped inspire the next generation of environmental scientists and ecologists.

“We want islanders to be able to enjoy the wildlife that thrives here.”