Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Receives Grant to Enhance Community Involvement in Nature Conservation

Photo Credit: Rhianna Pearce

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has secured a significant grant of £41,447 from the government’s Community Levelling Up Programme (CLUP) to launch a pioneering project aimed at engaging community volunteers in wildlife conservation efforts. The funding, administered by Cornwall Council from its £7.6 million CLUP budget, is set to foster a deeper connection between the community and the natural environment of the Isles of Scilly.

This grant will facilitate the introduction of a new full-time Community Ranger position within the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. Tasked with managing a comprehensive programme of activities, the Community Ranger will play a crucial role in training volunteers to take active roles in nature recovery initiatives across the isles. The project is particularly focused on making wild spaces more accessible to everyone, with special emphasis on engaging young people, individuals experiencing loneliness, and those who stand to gain from increased outdoor activity.

Simon Nicholls, the newly appointed Community Ranger, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to involve more people in the Trust’s conservation efforts. Nicholls highlighted the dual benefits of the project, aiming to enhance both the wellbeing of participants and the health of local wildlife and natural habitats.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, unique in its charge of managing land for both people and wildlife on the isles, oversees half of the land area, playing a vital role in promoting the enjoyment and preservation of the Isles of Scilly National Landscape.

The funding for this initiative is part of Cornwall Council’s contribution to the Good Growth Programme, which channels the UK Shared Prosperity Fund into local projects in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This grant aims to support projects that address specific local community priorities, with allocations ranging from £5,000 to £200,000.

Steve Sims, the Council of the Isles of Scilly’s Lead Member for Economy, Tourism, and Transport, lauded the initiative as a perfect embodiment of the Community Levelling Up Programme’s objectives. He emphasised the Isles of Scilly’s rich and diverse ecological system, underscoring the importance of community involvement in its preservation.

Echoing Sims’ sentiments, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, Louis Gardner, encouraged other projects to seek this kind of support, highlighting the program’s aim to foster community engagement in environmental stewardship.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust’s new project represents a significant step forward in involving the community more directly in conservation efforts, ensuring that the unique natural environment of the Isles of Scilly continues to thrive for future generations.