A PROPHET, the Bible says, is not without honour except in his own country.

To an extent this is true of Jersey’s prophet in the field of conservation and environmentalism, the late Gerald Durrell.

In reality, Mr Durrell was undervalued in his adopted Island home only because he and the captive breeding zoo that he founded were soon taken more or less for granted by Islanders.

The fact that we were privileged to play hosts to a great writer, broadcaster, naturalist and advocate of environmental causes and an institution devoted to saving wildlife around the world could be overlooked by people preoccupied with making a living and running a home.

Last week, however, we were emphatically reminded that the work of what is now Durrell Wildlife not only goes on, but also that it ties in very closely with concerns that directly affect the Island and Islanders.

Speaking to help pave the way for Durrell Wildlife’s 50th anniversary next year, the organisation’s new chief executive, Paul Masterton, made it clear that the entire world will have to be more attuned to the principles of conservation if it is to survive.

Quite rightly, Mr Masterson also stressed that more Islanders should align themselves with Durrell’s work, even if that amounts initially to greater understanding that the Jersey HQ’s influence extends globally and that it is an institution of international stature.

Naturally enough, however, everyone at Durrell, including Lee Durrell, the founder’s widow, is eager to see even greater involvement on the part of the Jersey public.

Development work forecast to cost £47 million is on the horizon, so money as well as shared goals and support will be more than welcome. If part of the necessary funding comes from the pockets of Islanders, they will be recognising the contribution that Durrell has made to Island life for the past five decades as well as the value of the tasks that it will tackle in the future.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Frank Walker has put the work of our conservation centre of excellence into context by explaining the congruence between its goals and the aims of Keeping Jersey Special, the States’ initiative to raise awareness about the need for green strategies for the benefit of the present and future generations.