The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Trust marine conservation works given funding boost
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s marine conservation works have secured funding for the next five years from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
A £771,471 grant is set to allow the wildlife trust to expand its Living Seas project, and to provide a centre for community engagement in Ullapool.
The trust delivered Scotland’s first snorkel trail in the North-West Highlands in 2015 as well as an innovative remote litter station.
Living Seas communities manager Noel Hawkins said: “Initiatives like our North-West Highlands Snorkel Trail and the litter station at Dun Canna have generated interest from communities all around Scotland’s coastline.
“We want to be able to share what we’ve achieved here with those communities.
“Over the last three years we’ve put over 50 kids through pool-based training, and taken over 100 children out into the sea, helping them directly experience the marine life on their doorstep.
“Ultimately we’re aiming to work with local communities to show how they can benefit from healthy, living seas, and demonstrate that sustainable stewardship of the marine environment doesn’t mean people have to turn their back on the sea.”
Dr Sam Collin, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s marine planning manager, said: “Thanks to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation the trust will be able to continue playing an important role in ensuring the completion of Scotland’s network of marine protected areas, and advocating for future legislation that creates a balance between environmental, social and economic benefits.”
“We want to be able to share what we’ve achieved here”