First of all, let’s take a look at what actually is an SSI?

A Site of Special Interest (SSI) is a designation which protects a site’s special features of interest, similar to what is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated in Great Britain. 

In Jersey they are considered to be of importance because of their zoological, ecological, botanical, archaeological or geological attributes, or a combination of these and other special qualities. They are given legal protection as the best examples of this natural heritage. 

Why are Ecological SSIs so important? 

Most people haven’t heard of the blue winged grasshopper, found on our coastal habitats, or may not know we have a Jersey Bank vole unique to our shores. So why is their survival important?

Jersey is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a treaty with the goal of improving global sustainability and SSI designations are one way the Island meets its international, national and local obligations, which aim to conserve our local and sometimes unique species, habitats and ecosystems. 

The wildlife found in Jersey is special, as is often the case with islands. In our case, animals and plants are similar to those found in the UK and to the French Atlantic coast. As a result we are lucky enough to provide a home for species at both the southern and northern limit of their range and as a consequence Jersey’s biological lists differ somewhat from SSSIs in the UK.

In both a local and national context, protected sites offer people the closest we have to ‘wilderness’ even though they are all found within a managed landscape. SSIs are where nature is able to exist undisturbed and is protected, while still allowing people to enjoy the natural world close up and at first hand. Stepping outside into a semi-natural backdrop strikes a chord with most people and provides a wonderful landscape for people to enjoy and appreciate at their leisure.

How are SSIs protected? 

The protection of these natural environments is an investment for the benefit of future generations, and very much a shared responsibility of all of us. The Land Resource Management team in the Government’s Natural Environment department manage many of these sites on behalf of the Island, helping promote biodiversity and maintaining them. Others sites are managed by private landowners or organisations such as the National Trust for Jersey.

Planned management tasks are carried out to improve or maintain the condition of the habitat (by adding structure and species diversity). These tasks include grazing livestock (interestingly different livestock have different grazing results and should be selected to suit a site’s management requirements) or managing vegetation by hand (for example removing damaging invasive plants).

How are SSIs selected? 

The Island’s first ecological Sites of Special Interest were designated in 1996. Now, we have 30, with a large proportion found in the south and west of the Island. Some areas, such as the sand dunes of Les Blanches Banques or the heathlands of Les Landes can encompass entire landscapes and are familiar to most Island residents who visit them for walking and enjoying the wildlife and landscape.

When selecting a SSI the site needs to meet the Ratcliffe Criteria, 10 intrinsic qualities worthy of protection, scoring on each criteria. These qualities include the fragility of the site, its rarity, position, naturalness and intrinsic appeal.

Once a site has been designated, it will need to be managed to safeguard it from forces of nature. The tasks carried out on SSIs are varied and are focused on:

– Habitat management
– Invasive species control
– Access for people
– Delivering conservation plans for rare species
– Site health and safety for the public

Where can I find ecological SSIs in the Park? 

When you do venture out to a location within the Jersey National Park, there is a high chance that you could already be within an ecological SSI.

Here are the sites to be aware of, and some of the special attributes that make them a SSI: 

– St Ouen’s Bay coastal strip compartments (areas between the Five Mile Road and the sea wall – areas of the fore-dune which contain a number of rare species associated with salt marsh habitat

– La Mare au Seigneur (St Ouen’s Pond) – a highly valuable wetland area for the varied and numerous waterfowl it attracts

– Les Blanches Banques (better known as the sand dunes) – the sand dunes of St Ouen’s Bay are important for the diversity of wildlife

– La Lande du Ouest (better known as Gorselands) – the heathlands connecting Le Corbière with Beauport

– Les Landes de L’Est (better known as Les Landes) – on the north west corner of Jersey, the heathlands of Les Landes provide a valuable mosaic of habitats and open landscape

– L’Ouaisne – this small site in St Brelade’s Bay is a haven for an amazing array of animals and plants

– Portelet – situated above L’Ouaisne Common, Portelet Common offers an unrivalled coastal landscape

– Noirmont – the sister reserve to Portelet, this headland is very popular and valuable for its ecological and historical wealth

– Bouley Bay and Les Hurets – coastal heath and maritime cliff on the north coast of botanical and zoological interest

– Mont Orgueil (Gorey Castle) – the ancient walls of this castle offer niches for rare species of animal and plant.