It is not often that you hear of a Wildlife Trust creating habitats for humans but this is exactly what the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) has achieved on Skokholm Island.
With the support of volunteers and donors WTSWW has managed to refurbish one of the accommodation blocks on Skokholm Island, which is owned and managed by the Trust. This means that visitors will be able to stay over on the island for the first time in five years. This significant project has been undertaken almost exclusively by volunteers, who have donated thousands of hours of their time and energy, co-ordinated by the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer, one of the Trust’s volunteer groups.
On the 23rd of April a visit to the island was arranged so that some of the last year’s volunteers and donors to the project could see the great progress that has been made. Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park added their donation of £500 which will go towards putting renewable energy sources onto the island. This will include solar panels and solar water heating. Other contributors present included Dale Sailing, Milford Haven Port Authority, South Hook LNG, Arcade Stoves, PAVS and Legal & General, who along with many other supporters have made key contributions to the restoration of public access to this internationally important nature reserve.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales will continue to fundraise throughout the next year with the assistance of the Friends of Skokholm and Skomer. This will assist the Trust in its wish to make further progress, including restoring the listed cottage building, installing a more sustainable water system, and improving the management and monitoring of the island for the conservation of it’s very special wildlife.
