A new look for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is delighted to unveil its new logo. We look after around half of the land that makes up Scilly (700ha). We’ve selected the oystercatcher as an iconic island species that sums up our work for wildlife and people across the archipelago.
Long-standing Friends, Members, supporters and followers of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust might notice that, as of June 2023, we’ve got a bit of a new look. We launched our new website earlier this year, and now have a fully updated visual identity. We hope you like it! We’ve answered some of the questions we expect below. If you have any other questions or know of a key location where we need to update our logo, please get in touch with our Comms Manager, Lucy McRobert, on lucy@ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk.
Who do you feel it’s important to embrace this change now?
The origins of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust lie in the formation of the Isles of Scilly Environmental Trust in 1985, which took on the management of the extensive untenanted parts of the Duchy of Cornwall’s estate in Scilly. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust was registered as a charity in 2003 and the assets of the Environmental Trust were transferred to us, after the decision was taken that this offered the best opportunity to deliver nature conservation and protect our heritage across the islands. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is a full and independent member of The Wildlife Trusts federation, made up of 46 charities across the UK, Isle of Man and Alderney.
Our old logo was just one of these Environmental Trust assets. That logo endured for nearly forty years – a long time for any visual identity, especially in our fast-paced, digital world. We needed something more modern and reflective of where the organisation is today. Other Wildlife Trusts have undergone a brand refresh recently, and this also gives us more cohesion with our national partners.
As our remit has evolved and we have grown, we have been identifying our organisational values. These values guide us in all we do. After much brainstorming, staff and trustees agreed that the following five words sum up the Trust. We hope our new look reflects these values.
Community | We recognise our responsibilities within the islands. We do all we can to keep Scilly special.
Joyful | We celebrate Scilly’s wildlife and the people who champion it, embracing positive wildlife stories and inspiring others to take action.
Trusted | We listen and learn, developing our expertise, so we can provide an authoritative voice for wildlife.
Resilient | Island life comes with challenges. We must be resourceful and determined to stay effective.
Kind | We are friendly and inclusive, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
Why have you chosen an oystercatcher?
In choosing a new logo, we faced a big challenge. Was there an island species that summed up our conservation work on land and at sea, that residents and visitors alike could connect to, and that would look eye-catching and stylish on a logo?
The oystercatcher was the perfect fit. This species is immediately identifiable and can be spotted on many of our beautiful beaches. They are striking to look at and noisy, too! They are also present year-round, so you can see them here no matter what the season.
Oystercatchers bring a strong conservation message, too. Between 2006 and 2015, the number of active nests dropped from 136 to 99, showing a decrease of 27%. This is a species we can help in the coming years by increasing our work to protect them throughout the breeding season. On top of all that, the dramatic black and white plumage of the oystercatcher, combined with the distinctive orange bill, made it the stand out choice for our new logo.
Who designed your new logo, and how was it funded?
We have been delighted to work with the UK Wildlife Trust office in the development of our new logo, using their in-house designer to create a stylish and eye-catching oystercatcher logo. The UK office has also been responsible for new logos for the Alderney and Manx Wildlife Trusts. We are very grateful for not having to pay anything for the development of our new logo.
Some print resources sporting our new logo had already been budgeted for, and a grant from the Green Growth Fund has enabled us to produce new materials, such as banners, flags, stickers and signage. To keep costs to a minimum and ensure that we are as environmentally-friendly as possible, we will be replacing existing materials as required, rather than replacing items that are still fit for purpose. Perhaps items with our old logo on will become collector’s items, one day?