UK Shared Prosperity Fund gives Skomer and Skokorum Islands six-figure increase

UK Government funding has provided more than £270,000 to the world-famous Skomer and Skokorum Islands scheme.

A total of £271.038.20 was donated through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to projects run by the island's conservation organization, the Trust for Wildlife in South and West Wales (WTSWW).

The fund is one of several UK government funds to replace European sources that are no longer available after Brexit. This is also part of the UK Government's Level Up Plan.

Skomar welcomes 20,000 visitors each year. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

famous

Skomer Island and Skokorum Island are separated by 2.5 km of ocean and are known for their exceptional biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

Much of the infrastructure in need of repair or replacement on the island has been in place since 2005. The Sustainable and Resilient Skomer and Skokorum Islands Project will focus on activities such as:

• Reduce water and fossil fuel use,
• Improve sustainable energy resources,
• Improve accessibility and comfort for visitors, volunteers, researchers and Trust staff.

Reducing energy costs means more income can be invested in managing nature reserves.

Scocombe boasts the world's largest concentration of Manx shearwaters. (Image: Lucy Griffiths)

spectacle

More than 20,000 people visit Skomer on a day trip between April and September each year, with 1,300 to 1,500 staying in exclusive hostels on both islands to see the one million Manx shearwaters returning to their burrows after dark. enjoy the sight.

Puffins abound and entertain visitors to the island. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

Work to be carried out on Skomer Island includes replacing the solar water heating system and installing new windows on the south side of the library building to reduce damp and drafts and retain heat.

Improved conditions

These changes will improve living and working conditions for the Trust's hard-working island staff and researchers, while reducing energy use.

The Trust will also upgrade Skomer's battery storage and carry out repairs to the visitor hostel accommodation building, including a newly refurbished visitor common kitchen area.

Lisa Morgan, WTSWW's Head of Islands and Marine, said: “Skomer and Skocolm Islands are iconic nature reserves in Wales and have an international reputation, attracting visitors from across the UK and overseas.

“This project focuses on urgent infrastructure and facility upgrades to reduce energy use and increase the islands’ resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The island is open to visitors from April to October. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)

“We aim to improve sustainability and comfort for overnight and day visitors, volunteers, students and staff, provide conservation work and connect wider audiences with our amazing seabirds and these special islands. We are aiming for

“We look forward to working with Pembrokeshire County Council’s strategic funding team to deliver our ambitious plans in 2024.”

solar energy

On Skokholm Island, the funding will enable older batteries on the island and staff accommodation to be replaced with new, more efficient sealed batteries, increasing the island's solar energy storage capacity.

We also plan to purchase a towable 1,000 liter water bowser. This reduces vehicle usage as water movements that currently require multiple trips to move small barrels of 10 and 20 liters can now be moved between residential locations in one trip. will be done.