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 a fully integrated project plan to deliver the improvements envisaged is now in development. Access to the island for larger and bulk materials, such as would be required by the Restoration Project, has been improved by the adaptation of a local barge, which, as a trial run, recently delivered the replacement dumper truck.

The Skokholm Restoration Project will improve the infrastructure of the island to enhance the visitor experience and make the island more sustainable, whilst retaining its unique ambience. Future plans for the island include:

·            improving the landing to give safer access at different stages of the tide;

·            renovating the accommodation to make all buildings secure, comfortable and able to meet current standards and requirements;

·            decreasing the island’s impact on the wider environment by introducing composting toilets, renewable energy systems and improved water infrastructure;

·            improving visitor and staff facilities such as the library, office and workshop; including provision of better interpretation for the island.

The Skokholm Restoration Project Appeal has already started successfully, with some funds passing over from the original purchase appeal, and a grant secured from a charitable trust to support some infrastructure improvements; but there is still much to do. Further details of the Project will be posted on our website as and when information becomes available. If you would like to help we would be delighted to hear from you.

Initial costs for the Skokholm Island Restoration Project are estimated at £1M; timescale: one year for project finalisation and fundraising, one year for delivery of works once funding in place (five months preparation and mobilisation, seven months on island). 

Dr Madeleine Havard

Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

August 2007