Community
Access to nature
We treasure our role as part of the community of local residents and passionate visitors who all love Scilly. We want everyone to enjoy our wildlife and landscape. It’s vital to us that we do all we can to inspire, encourage and support people to play their part in Keeping Scilly Special.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust plays a vital role for our island community and the 100,000 visitors that we welcome every year. We provide safe access to wild places by cutting over 85km (50 miles) of paths every year, manage 700ha of land (much of which is open to explore) and run events, activities and projects that empower the community to take action for nature. We understand the positive impact that nature can have on mental and physical wellbeing, so we encourage everyone to enjoy our beautiful wild landscapes, whilst promoting responsible behaviours that allow wildlife to thrive.
Nextdoor Nature
Nextdoor Nature is bringing communities together to help nature flourish. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are offering advice and support to people and businesses on the Isles of Scilly who want to help nature.
Whether you live on Scilly, manage land or a farm, run a business, are a seasonal worker, go to school here or enjoy visiting our islands, we can help you be a Wildlife Hero who champions nature and helps wildlife to thrive. We want to create a place where people and nature can both thrive. We want to use and develop people’s skills, local knowledge and experience and work together to make a positive change. Personal actions are at the heart of making positive changes for nature, and we can enable and empower you to make these.
Working with school children and childcare providers
Inspiring the next generation to love and protect our island wildlife is imperative to our work. We are regularly blown away by the commitment and enthusiasm we see in Scilly's young people in enjoying and protecting our local environment.
We work with the Five Islands Academy to deliver assemblies, support their 'Project Weeks', talk to local students and, where possible, get involved with extra-curricular activities. Through Nextdoor Nature, we create resources designed to empower children and young people to get outdoors, enjoy wildlife and take responsibility for the islands' unique nature. If you work at the school and would like to see how we can support your class, or you're a childcare provider, please get in touch.
Volunteering
Volunteering in nature isn't just good for wildlife - it's great for you, too. There are loads of ways to get involved with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, including supporting our Ranger Team in physical conservation activities, surveying and monitoring special species, helping out at events or supporting our office team.
If you'd like to spend a few hours a week (or whatever you can spare) giving back to local island wildlife, then please get in touch with us. We'll chat to you before about what you'd like to do, where we need support and what volunteering would be suitable for you. There's no commitment up front, so you're very welcome to get in touch for a chat if you would like to find out more.