A life in the wild

How does living on the Isles of Scilly and your surroundings inspire you? 

Scilly isn’t just a place to live and have a house; it really is the true meaning of home.  For families that have been here for generations, particularly, Scilly runs through your veins.

For me this feeling has only amplified since becoming Communications Officer for locally-run conservation charity, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, nearly 6 years ago. My job enables me to immerse myself in Scilly’s natural environment and dig a little (or a lot!) deeper, on a daily basis; explaining the work of the Trust and the reasons behind it in many formats, from written articles to commentary on our weekly guided Wildlife Safaris in partnership with St Agnes Boating.

Scilly is a beautiful place to live and you cannot fail to wonder at the wildlife that also calls our islands home, the history and of course the landscapes and views that those who visit come to know and love.

Being a keen photographer, avid beachcomber, beach cleaner and a lover of the great outdoors it’s difficult not to be inspired by the natural world, Scilly-style.

Do you have a favourite island and why?

It’s really hard to choose a favourite island; each island really does have its own “character”.  But if I had to choose one, it would be Samson.  Samson was the island that we typically went to for days out as a family when I was a child; consequently, it holds many happy memories. 

In addition to this, despite its size, it’s easy to “get lost” there and feel like you’re the only person on the island (sometimes you are!); to just be at one with nature and the history of the island.  The views from the tops of both hills either back across the Islands or out over the Norrard Rocks are ever-changing and something you could never get bored of.

Whenever I go to Samson it always feels like “coming home” and a visit to our family’s ancestral home on the North Hill is always on the cards.

One of the first blogs I wrote in my new role, back in 2015, was following a trip to Samson with the Ranger Team to see them in action and learn a little more about what they were up to first-hand (Scallops? On Samson?).  For me, it’s times like this, where I learn new things and share that with others, that really solidify the importance of the Trust’s work.  Having this new-found knowledge never fails to leave me in awe of where I live. 

How big is the team and what would a ‘typical’ day look like?

The Trust Team consists of CEO (Sarah), Finance & Operations Manager (Paula), Head Ranger (Darren M), our three Rangers (Rob, Rhianna and Darren H) and myself (Communications Officer) and given the size of our task (looking after more than 50% of the Islands for nature and people) and raising the funds to do so, there really isn’t a typical day!

Our Rangers are “out in the field” in all weathers completing the conservation, management and maintenance work set out in our Management Plan. This can be anything from carrying out seabird surveys to moving our small herd of Ruby Red Devon cattle which help with conservation of the landscapes; to clearing, or diverting, any of the 44,000m of permissive paths we are responsible for, to carrying out habitat management on our wetland sites to improve them for nature; removing storm blown trees or laying boardwalk…the list really is never ending. 

For the rest of the team it’s all the functions required of a charity; as well as writing management or delivery plans either for ourselves or other organisations; liaising with journalists, local businesses, schools and universities; responding to enquiries; letting our Friends, Members, Supporters and local community know what’s going on; identifying and seizing on fundraising opportunities; supporting our voluntary board of trustees and ensuring financial compliance.

Are there any new items initiatives for Scilly the public would like to hear about?

This year sees us introducing a number of different ways in which those who love Scilly can support our work; ensuring that the very nature of Scilly is looked after and protected, now and into the future, for wildlife and people. 

Following the success of Friends of Scilly Wildlife, launched on World Friendship Day last year we have created some merchandise opportunities, firstly, The Postcard Collection of clothing, celebrating iconic Scilly species, beautifully drawn exclusively for us by the fantastic Ridgeline Studio Artists; as well as developing a brilliant re-usable coffee cup in partnership with Circular & Co made from recycled single use paper cups – more information about both of these can be found in our Shop.

We have also established “Winning for Scilly Wildlife”, our very own lottery in which players are not only in with the chance of winning £25,000 but are supporting our work in the process.  With a 1/63 chance of winning a prize each week, what’s not to love!    

Describe to us your perfect day on Scilly?

It’s easy to get drawn into the postcard picture perfect blue skies, white sandy beaches and spectacular sunsets but Scilly is so much more than that.  Those days are great but my perfect day in Scilly probably isn’t what most people would usually offer up.

I love walking and, having a spaniel, we walk miles: every day; whatever the weather.  Some of my favourite walks are the wet and windy ones.  Leaving home, knowing that waterproofs are only going to delay the inevitable; that we will be wringing ourselves out by the time we get home.

Walking down through Holy Vale and Higher Moors Nature Trail, listening to the wind in the trees and the rain dripping from the branches; splashing through the mud and puddles.  Hearing the roaring of the sea before Porth Hellick beach is even in sight and being blown away (sometimes literally) by the strength of the wind and the stinging of the salt spray as we walk up over Porth Hellick Bank and onto the beach.

I could sit for hours under one of the rocky overhangs out around Clapper Rocks or Giant’s Castle, watching the waves, the Gannets, the Gulls and the odd Seal as they seemingly master the elements, effortlessly.  Days like this are awesome and a great reminder that no matter how in control we think we are, the natural world has different ideas and does it bigger and better than we ever could.  It’s often said that Scilly is ruled by the weather and tides; days like this only confirm that.

For more on the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and all the good work they do, go to ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk