About The National Trust for Jersey
In the years following the First World War Jersey’s Jersey’s natural environment began to suffer from an increasing amount of ribbon development, speculative construction, and the erection of unsightly huts and weekend bungalows along its coastline. In addition, Jersey’s historical buildings were at risk of being demolished in order to make way for undesirable and insensitive building developments. In a desperate attempt to address this problem a small number of concerned islanders met to discuss how best to preserve the Island’s profound heritage and beauty. The outcome of this meeting was the establishment of the National Trust for Jersey.
The Trusts first formal meeting took place on 3rd August 1936 under the Chairmanship of the then Dean, the Very Reverend Samuel Falle and exactly six months later the Trust held its first General Meeting. On 11th February 1937 the States of Jersey granted the organisation its Act of Incorporation, which stated:
The Trust shall be established for the purposes of securing the permanent preservation for the benefit of the island of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest, and as regards lands, for the preservation (so far as practicable) of their natural aspect, features, and plant life.
In the same year a wooded Côtil in Vallée des Vaux that was under the threat of development was purchased by Mr & Mrs Carlye Le Gallais and gifted to the Trust. Having now acquired its first site and a cash balance of just under £500, the Trust confidently acquired three further sites, namely Le Rât, Le Grand Côtil de la Cote Pallot, and Le Saut Geffroi.
Now, eighty years since its establishment, the Trust has grown to become a highly influential local organisation and currently manages over 170 important natural and historical sites.
What we do
The National Trust for Jersey currently safeguards a variety of historic buildings including cottages, farms, water mills and military buildings. Whilst the Trust’s historic building work is well known, the majority of Trust sites are parcels of land managed for wildlife. The Trust currently manages approximately 2% of Jersey’s land which forms an integral part of the island’s natural environment and encompasses a rich variety of habitats including woodland, farmland, heathland, meadows, and wetland. The Trust is also regularly involved in contributing to important debates over the future of Jersey’s environment, and campaigns where necessary.
In addition to its land and building management responsibilities, the Trust also plays a leading role in educating the local community on the importance of preserving our natural and built heritage. This is achieved by actively encouraging people to visit and enjoy sites of natural and historical significance. The Trust organises numerous of events and educational activities throughout the year, including Open Day’s and guided walks, and also runs a series of events aimed at children throughout the school holidays.
The Trust’s Council
The Trust’s Council is a body of volunteer members of Jersey’s community who oversee the overall governance of Trust affairs. The Council is made up of between no less than eight and not more then ten persons, elected at the Annual General Meeting from amongst other members of the Trust. Elected Council members are responsible for ensuring that the Trust takes into account the wider interests of the membership and the Island. They also shape policy development and convene to make major decisions in relation to the Trust’s involvement in Island life, acquisitions, conservation management and financial budgeting. The other key role of the Council is to inspire support for the Trust within the community.
The Trust’s Committees
There are five committees whose role is to advise staff on specific professional issues in relation to their particular discipline. Each committee focuses on a different specialisation.
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Executive
Meeting every six weeks the Executive Committee, consisting of a mixture of senior council members and senior Trust staff. The Executive Committee makes decisions on major Trust affairs either by coming to decisions during the course of meetings, or by proposing that issues be brought before the Trust Council. Topics discussed by the committee include Policy development, acquisitions, as well as major issues with regard to property, environmental management, and staffing.
Finance
The Finance Committee meets to discuss the financial affairs of the Trust and to make strategic budgetary decisions. Topics discussed by the committee include Trust income and expenditure and management of the Trust’s financial assets.
Properties
Consisting of Council members and members of the community with a keen interest in architecture or historic buildings, this committee makes decisions and offers guidance on all matters related to the Trust’s properties and their conservation. The CEO and properties manager attend these meetings.
Lands
Consisting of Council members and members of the community with a keen interest in the countryside and/or nature conservation, this committee gives guidance on all matters relating to the management of land owned by the Trust.
Development Application
This committee meets weekly to run through Island wide Planning Development Applications and highlights issues which are in contravention of the Island Plan, or are not in the wider interests of the people of Jersey.
The Trust’s Staff Structure
The Trust currently employs 16 full time staff and 4 part-time staff. Staff members are responsible for key aspects of the day to day management of the Trust. To accommodate the various roles of the Trust the staff is split into several different departments.
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Properties Team
The Trust employs a team of 3 full-time skilled tradesmen, including a Clerk of Works, a joiner/carpenter and a painter together with a handyman who are managed by the Properties Manager. The Properties team undertake conservation and maintenance work on the Trust’s historic buildings. In recent times the team have been working on major projects including the renovation of 16 New Street and Les Cotils Farm.
Lands Team
The Trust’s team is a team of five consisting of the Lands Manager, a Conservation Officer and three Countryside Rangers. This team is responsible for the conservation management of land owned by the Trust. Trust sites include a diverse range of habitats including woodland, farmland, wetland, heath land and coastland. The team also plays an important role in encouraging people to enjoy the countryside by leading guided walks and children’s activities.
Office Team
The office team consists of the Chief Executive Officer, Operations Manager, Marketing and Events Manager, Finance Manager, Fundraising Officer and Membership Secretary and the House and Collections Manager who oversees 16 New Street, Le Moulin de Quétivel and Grève de Lecq Barracks. As well as attending to the day to day running of the Trust, this team is responsible for developing an ever expanding calendar of activities and events for members, as well as seeking out further sources of income through sponsorship or grant schemes in order to continue supporting such a wide range of events, activities and projects.
Education Team
The Trust employs one full time Education officer whose role is to lead and develop the Trust’s Education programme. The programme consists of a series of children’s activities that encourage young children to get out and about enjoying Jersey’s wildlife and to learn specifically about climate change and bio-diversity loss.
Our Vision
Our vision is to permanently protect Jersey’s natural beauty, rich wildlife and historic places for everyone to enjoy and experience.
Our Sites
How you can help
The threats to Jersey’s wild places and historical buildings are as real today as in the 1930s. Being a local self-funding charity totally independent of the States of Jersey, the National Trust for Jersey is heavily reliant on subscription memberships, donations, and bequests for the funding of its essential programme of repair works, ongoing maintenance, and conservation management. Without our many members and volunteers we would simply be unable to carry on with our important work. You can help to support our efforts by becoming a Trust member, making a donation, visiting our sites, participating in events, and hiring out one of our properties for your next social event. Businesses are encouraged to consider becoming a corporate supporter of the Trust. We also encourage people to get involved by becoming a Trust volunteer.