Connecting Businesses with Purpose

‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ is designed to partner corporate organisations with on-island environmental projects that need funding; offer educational opportunities for staff to better understand and engage with the natural environment; and promote local volunteering opportunities for nature conservation and the environment. The initiative works closely with the Association of Guernsey Charities to promote access to volunteering opportunities through the Volunteer.gg platform, helping businesses seamlessly connect with nature-focused causes and community action opportunities.

What the Initiative Offers

• Improved access to local conservation and nature-based projects seeking business support, which can be filtered to meet your organisations needs
• Structured staff learning of the importance of our natural environment—including citizen science, learning about environmental challenges, and undergoing environmental training
• Access to on-island volunteering opportunities for businesses to engage with nature
• Co-branding, helping businesses showcase their contributions to nature, people, and the planet.

The initiative is already working with a range of local environmental charities, including the wider Biodiversity Partnership Group, and others to build a directory of high-impact, fundable opportunities. These range from school-based and staff-based environmental education, through to data management, island-wide learning initiatives and biological monitoring.

Project Examples

Examples of local environmental projects seeking funding include:

•  Creation of short, narrated videos that highlight our amazing terrestrial, marine, and freshwater habitats
•   Environmental education across schools 
•   Surveying how the community access and enjoy nature, and the barriers to this
•   Purchase of equipment to facilitate accurate species identification

Education Opportunities

Examples of opportunities for staff to increase their knowledge about the natural environment through structured office-based and outdoor learning include:

• The state of nature in Guernsey and Herm, why it’s important, and what can be done to help
• Spending time in nature to learn about species and challenges, to promote your organisations environmental stewardship
• The ‘How To’ of biological data collection, showcasing how easy it can be and providing practical demonstration for everyday use.

Why It Matters

Businesses today are increasingly measured not just by profit, but by purpose. ‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ helps companies become active stewards of their local environment, while also offering staff enriching, hands-on learning experiences that promote mental well-being, team cohesion, and environmental literacy.

Why Should Businesses get Involved?

• Enhancing brand reputation – nature-positive businesses are seen as more responsible and sustainable, attracting customers and investors who value environmental and social impact
• Meet CSR and ESG commitments – with a meaningful local impact
• Attracting investors – investors are increasingly prioritising companies that demonstrate environmental sustainability
• Innovation – connecting with nature can unlock new opportunities for product and service innovation, such as developing nature-based solutions for various industries
• Positive impact on the environment – by actively contributing, businesses can make a positive impact on the environment, while also supporting other local organisations to do the same, leading to a more sustainable future for all
• Supporting local initiatives – investing in the community facilitates conservation benefits, cleaner environments, healthy green and blue spaces, and improved access to nature. This benefits everyone.

Stay Connected and Informed

Businesses and supporters can subscribe to the initiative’s mailing list to receive regular updates on:

• New environmental projects seeking funding
• Staff engagement opportunities and training days
• Success stories and impact highlights

Subscription is free and available via the Nature Commission website: just sign up to our newsletter and be sure to tick the ‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ option!

Add Your Charity’s Activity

Is your charity running a local nature project that needs business support? Or an environmental education opportunity that can be offered to corporate teams? Environmental charities are invited to apply to have their activities featured and promoted through the ‘Nature Opportunities for Businesses’ network. Visit www.naturecommission.gg/nature-opportunities-for-businesses/ or email office@naturecommission.gg