Skokholm Island Restoration Project
Skokholm Island was bought by the Wildlife Trust in April 2006 following a public appeal, with major support from CCW, National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Tubney Charitable Trust. Prior to the purchase the island had been owned by Dale Castle Estate for 350 years, and had been leased and managed by the Wildlife Trust (and predecessors) since 1948.
The 107ha (265ac) island is managed primarily as a nature reserve but also has additional, basic, residential accommodation, enabling its use as a field study centre / wildlife holiday destination.
Skokholm Island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the Skomer and Skokholm Special Protection Area (SPA). Its foreshore is also part of the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The island is currently being considered by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) for designation as a National Nature Reserve. It is of international importance for its breeding seabirds, and this is reflected in the SPA and SSSI notifications. The breeding colony of Manx Shearwaters is probably the third largest in the world, of very high density, and containing some 15% of the world population (with Skomer, almost 50% of the world’s population). Breeding Storm Petrels could account for up to 20% of the European population, and the island also supports about 3-4% of the world population of Lesser Black-backed Gulls of the race graellsii.
The island is important for its contribution to raising awareness and understanding of the natural environment through its visitor and long running research programmes (in 1933 it became the first Bird Observatory in Britain). Residential accommodation for 15 people allows the opportunity to get close to nature and experience island life without modern conveniences, reflecting on sustainability issues.
The management of the buildings and cultural artefacts on the island are also of importance and a key responsibility of the Trust. The Cottage is a Grade 2 listed building as is the Lime Kiln; some of the boundary walls are believed to date from the Bronze Age. As well as The Cottage, two main blocks of buildings house the staff accommodation, kitchen and galley (The Wheelhouse) and laboratory and bedrooms.
The island has no running water system or electricity. Water is pumped from a well pond via hydraulic ram. Rain water is collected from each roof in water butts. There is a small wind generator and mobile solar panel array to charge batteries, with a back up small petrol generator. Kitchen equipment (stove, fridges, water boilers) and all room lighting is bottle gas fired. Heating (only in the Cottage) is by coal or driftwood fires.
There are no roads, but defined paths around the island. An old trackway runs from the landing point to the lighthouse. A dumper truck and powered walk-behind mini-dumper are the only motorised transport on the island.
The lighthouse, situated on the western plateau, and surrounding 7.16 acres including helipad and sheds built into a rock outcrop, are owned by the Corporation of Trinity House.
Since purchasing the island the Wildlife Trust has undertaken a review of the infrastructure and management of the island. The Conservation Management Plan is being reviewed and developed in conjunction with CCW. A full building survey has been undertaken, and development plans costed, with some priority projects identified. Immediate works have been completed (securing The Cottage roof, securing the water supply) and now the trust is working with the dedicated Friends of the Islands Group to develop plans for the buildings.
We also have secured money from the Crown Estates fund and from RWE Npower which enables us to improve the landing access. This is essential for future development work and for any future visitors to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
We are now starting an intensive period of work using mainly volunteers and donations. We believe from assessments that this is a £300,000 project and we are looking for donations of building materials, lime mortar, lime wash, gas cookers and fridges, furniture even helicopter rides to lift heavy equipment and supplies. We will be looking for skilled volunteers in 2011 to assist us in the works, one of the benefits we can offer is that you would be based on the stunning island for the duration. We are therefore looking for builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers to assist us. More details will follow.