A set
of augmented reality (AR) stamps are to be issued by Guernsey Post to mark the
formal designation of Herm, Jethou and The Humps as
a Ramsar site under The Convention on Wetlands.
The Ramsar designation means that Herm, which measures just one and a half miles long and half a mile wide, along with Jethou, located immediately southwest of Herm, and The Humps to the north of Herm, have been recognised at an international level.
The area’s rich collection of marine and land habitats on and around the islands support a diversity of flora and fauna including important breeding areas for sea bird species, some of which are depicted on the AR stamps: -
Oysters (43p) grown within Herm oyster beds enjoy a uniquely isolated and undisturbed environment; the Mint Sauce Worm (57p) Symsagittifera roscoffensis is a free-living acoelomorph worm, so-called due to the algae it digests giving it a bright green colour; and, the Cowrie Shell (58p), a much admired and collected sea snail.
Herm and the surrounding islands attract numerous migrating land birds and nesting seabirds including the Common Tern (70p), which can sometimes be seen plunging from the air into the sea to catch fish.
Herm Common is home to more than five hundred species of wildflower. The creamy white coloured flowers of the Burnet rose (78p) cover much of the heathland to the north of the island in summer, providing a beautiful display.
Recognising Herm’s cultural heritage – the island is home to a large number of megalithic tombs built by early farmers between the 5th and 3rd millennia BC - is a depiction of a Herm burial chamber (64p).
Guernsey Post’s acting head of philatelic Bridget Yabsley said: - “Artist Wendy Bramall, whom we have worked with on numerous projects, has created a very special set of stamps in celebration of the area’s Ramsar status, which have the added benefit of being able to transport collectors to the site using AR technology.
“It is wonderful that Herm, Jethou and The Humps have been given this recognition,” she added.
The stamps and related products for this issue are available to pre-order from 11 July by visiting www.guernseystamps.com or by contacting philatelic customer services on (01481) 716486.
Ramsar
Convention:
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, known as the Ramsar Convention (after the Iranian town where the treaty was signed in 1971), is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the legal framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across the globe.
Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet and the Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
The island of Herm is located three miles from the coast of Guernsey in the English Channel.
Augmented Reality (AR) stamps:
Using the technology of AR enables collectors to see the
areas of the Ramsar site. Simply download
the free Sepac app from the App Store, (the same one Guernsey Post used for its
Europa musical instruments and Marine Life issues). Then, open the app and hold
the device over a Ramsar stamp and an AR video will be activated.