Some highlights of our work Some highlights of our work during 2015 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Some highlights of our work during 2015 – 2016

Sarah Kessell Chief Executive Officer

Some highlights of our work during 2015 – 2016

Sarah Kessell Chief Executive Officer

1290 staff days were spent directly on habitat management on our mainland nature reserves (excluding Skomer and Skokholm, and excluding access, survey or monitoring work) 1290 staff days were spent directly on habitat management on our mainland nature reserves (excluding Skomer and Skokholm, and excluding access, survey or monitoring work)

These staff days were supported by a further 2902 volunteer days. These staff days were supported by a further 2902 volunteer days.

We were very sad to lose Guy Ingram, volunteer warden of Cwm Colhuw, who died this year. A beautiful bench was erected in his memory on the nature reserve We were very sad to lose Guy Ingram, volunteer warden of Cwm Colhuw, who died this year. A beautiful bench was erected in his memory on the nature reserve

During the year 423 person days were spent on survey and monitoring work on our mainland nature reserves. During the year 423 person days were spent on survey and monitoring work on our mainland nature reserves.

We ran 42 wildlife identification training days, with 223 participants We ran 42 wildlife identification training days, with 223 participants

We organised and delivered; 521 local events, engaging nearly 7500 people, 408 walks with 4078 people attending, and gave 139 talks to 4,100 people We organised and delivered; 521 local events, engaging nearly 7500 people, 408 walks with 4078 people attending, and gave 139 talks to 4,100 people

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We conducted 68 community beach cleans in conjunction with keep Wales Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage, collecting a total of 20,241 pieces of litter from New Quays beaches alone! We conducted 68 community beach cleans in conjunction with keep Wales Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage, collecting a total of 20,241 pieces of litter from New Quays beaches alone!

Paul Thornton delivered health and wellbeing sessions through the Actif Woods programme, and we started working more strategically on ‘health and wellbeing’. Paul Thornton delivered health and wellbeing sessions through the Actif Woods programme, and we started working more strategically on ‘health and wellbeing’.

With funding from NRW, we created rain gardens and raised pond for the Swansea Vale Community Centre. With funding from NRW, we created rain gardens and raised pond for the Swansea Vale Community Centre.

Our Wildlife Sites Officer has been working with the communities of the Rhondda to manage upland grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife and in doing so, is reducing the deleterious impacts of grassland fires. Our Wildlife Sites Officer has been working with the communities of the Rhondda to manage upland grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife and in doing so, is reducing the deleterious impacts of grassland fires.

First year of a Beaver project, which we are jointly funding with the other Welsh Wildlife Trusts First year of a Beaver project, which we are jointly funding with the other Welsh Wildlife Trusts

Second year of the Water Vole reintroduction project in partnership with NRW at Ffrwd Farm Mire, releasing more voles in May. Second year of the Water Vole reintroduction project in partnership with NRW at Ffrwd Farm Mire, releasing more voles in May.

We have developed a population restoration project for the marsh fritillary butterfly in South Wales which would involve captive breeding and release back into suitable habitats in the landscape around Tonyrefail and Llantrisant. We have developed a population restoration project for the marsh fritillary butterfly in South Wales which would involve captive breeding and release back into suitable habitats in the landscape around Tonyrefail and Llantrisant.

Second year of the Red Squirrel project. 77 volunteers from the local communities have committed 336 days to the project. Second year of the Red Squirrel project. 77 volunteers from the local communities have committed 336 days to the project.

In 2016 the Living Seas Team hosted and participated in a 84 events and talks, engaging with 2,429 people. 18,000 visitors came to the CBMWC visitor centre We conducted 983 land-based monitoring surveys, equating to 2644 volunteer hours. We conducted 193 vessel-based surveys with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips. In 2016 the Living Seas Team hosted and participated in a 84 events and talks, engaging with 2,429 people. 18,000 visitors came to the CBMWC visitor centre We conducted 983 land-based monitoring surveys, equating to 2644 volunteer hours. We conducted 193 vessel-based surveys with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips.

Sea Quest’ is a 3D virtual reality marine adventure, using Oculus Rift technology. This is the first 3d virtual reality game of its kind in Wales. Sea Quest’ is a 3D virtual reality marine adventure, using Oculus Rift technology. This is the first 3d virtual reality game of its kind in Wales.

We engaged with all the MPs in our area about the future of Landfill Tax, and our MEPs about the Nature Directives. We responded to various consultations including the strategic framework on Welsh agriculture, the shooting of White-fronted Geese, Scallop Fishing in Cardigan Bay. We are working harder to help members engage in advocacy work and make sure the voice for wildlife is heard at the highest levels. We engaged with all the MPs in our area about the future of Landfill Tax, and our MEPs about the Nature Directives. We responded to various consultations including the strategic framework on Welsh agriculture, the shooting of White-fronted Geese, Scallop Fishing in Cardigan Bay. We are working harder to help members engage in advocacy work and make sure the voice for wildlife is heard at the highest levels.

Our media presence continues to grow: 126 articles featured; 4 in the international press, 52 in the national press, 33 in the regional press and 37 in the local press. Eg Lonely Planet feature on Skomer reached over 2 million followers on social media alone. Our media presence continues to grow: 126 articles featured; 4 in the international press, 52 in the national press, 33 in the regional press and 37 in the local press. Eg Lonely Planet feature on Skomer reached over 2 million followers on social media alone.

With robust business models and good marketing plans for our 5 visitor centres and our visitor accommodation, income from our trading arm continues to grow. In 2015-16 the trading arm gave around £90,000 to the charity. We continue to work on a break- even budget which has meant that through unrestricted legacies, we have been able to set aside some money for financial reserves. We are now more financially stable than at any point since the two Trusts merged in 2002. With robust business models and good marketing plans for our 5 visitor centres and our visitor accommodation, income from our trading arm continues to grow. In 2015-16 the trading arm gave around £90,000 to the charity. We continue to work on a break- even budget which has meant that through unrestricted legacies, we have been able to set aside some money for financial reserves. We are now more financially stable than at any point since the two Trusts merged in 2002.

For further information on our conservation and research work, please refer to the reports found on our website: www.welshwildlife.org/reports.