Dorset Wildlife Trust has been awarded a £22,260 grant for its ‘Wild Brownsea’ project.
The money is from the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fundand will be used to improve access around Brownsea, enabling visitors to more easily explore the island and enjoy its wildlife in a low-impact and sustainable way.
The Fund has been established to enhance the landscape around Wytch Farm oilfield and is supported by Dorset County Council, the Dorset AONB, Natural England and Perenco UK.
A vital element of the project is ‘Explore Brownsea’ which aims to improve access for people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn about, enjoy and help conserve the island’s natural environment. The project also hopes to encourage new visitors by overcoming any perceived cultural and social barriers.
Improvements will include:
• Enhanced, fully accessible boardwalks and footpaths
• Updated signage to facilitate a high-quality visitor experience
• Improved management of visitor flows to reduce impact on wildlife
• A fully accessible trail
• A new wellbeing trail
• Fully accessible new visitor facility
• New wildlife observatory
A key aim of the Wild Brownsea project is to promote the health and wellbeing benefits that regular contact with nature provides. It includes an outreach component, which will encourage those from disadvantaged and excluded groups in the local community to get involved with Brownsea, including young people, people with learning difficulties and those on low incomes.
Working closely with the National Trust and supported by Dorset County Council, the project will also facilitate visits for those with reduced mobility utilising a recently purchased ‘landing craft’.
Cllr Daryl Turner, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment, said: “This funding will be a great boost to sustaining Brownsea Island’s important cultural and historical heritage as well as creating an opportunity to encourage and inspire people who may not have visited before – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – to make natural heritage a part of their lives”.
The bid for the funding, which will go towards an overall £180,111 of improvements, was made by Dorset Wildlife Trust. Brian Bleese from the Trust said: “Contact with nature has enormous health and wellbeing benefits. Improved accessibility will mean that people of all backgrounds and abilities will be able to enjoy the island’s wildlife and landscape.”
The Wild Brownsea project will also create many new volunteering opportunities. To find out how you can get involved contact: [email protected]
