Manx Wildlife Trust launch ’Action for Wildlife’, reimagining how Manx conservation is delivered.

Manx Wildlife Trust launch ’Action for Wildlife’, reimagining how Manx conservation is delivered.

Manx Wildlife Trust is launching a program of ten conservation projects to halt biodiversity decline!

Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) is launching a program of ten conservation projects to halt biodiversity decline. These ten projects have initially been chosen for the ‘Action for Wildlife’ program and MWT have built multiple partnerships with Government, industry, funding partners and NGO’s to help make them happen. These include marine, bird, tree, and habitat projects that target over 50 of the Island’s most endangered species.

The Isle of Man is not immune to the world-wide biodiversity crisis. 70% of our birds and 40% of plants are of conservation concern, with species regularly being lost to the Island. In the past 100 years the way we manage land and sea has changed in ways that are unprecedented over the 5,000 years of Island civilisation.

In 2019, MWT proposed a new approach to reversing the loss of wildlife in the Isle of Man. ‘Action for Wildlife’ will directly target the Island’s critically important and endangered habitats and species. With an emphasis on ‘action’, it is recognised that reversing biodiversity loss needs to be immediate and effective, before it is too late. While work has been ongoing on some projects for a few years, MWT now have all ten projects active and are ready for them to start delivering real results.

I’m delighted that MWT are launching Action for Wildlife in our 50th year, providing us with a clear and stronger focus for our conservation work in and around the IOM. Our hope and aim is that the whole Island gets behind this project and helps us make a real positive difference for these important priority Manx species and habitats. This will ensure future generations inherit an Island just as rich in wildlife, which is the greatest legacy we can leave
Leigh Morris
Manx Wildlife Trust CEO

The projects are diverse:

Loaghtans

At Billown Quarries, MWT and Colas Ltd have created MWT Billown Nature Reserve, a new three-acre habitat for 20 rare wildflower species that require mineral-rich soils.

Microgaming Puffin Planting on the Calf

On the Calf of Man a partnership including Manx National Heritage and MWT have been working on ‘Project Puffin’ to bring back a puffin colony.

curlew

Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

On farms around the Island the ‘Manx Farmland Birds’ project aims to save declining bird species, such as curlew and tree sparrow.

Ash tree comparison

Left shows a healthy ash tree and right shows a group of younger trees all with the disease.

At Crossags, near Ramsey, the ‘Ash Orchard’ aims to grow a grove of disease resistant ash trees, expertly grafted and raised by Watson’s nurseries.

Juniper at Guthries

Along the Mountain Mile, Juniper bushes; extinct in the Island for 70 years, have been re-introduced in partnership with local landowners.

See the full list on the Action for wildlife pages of MWT’s website – www.mwt.im/action-for-wildlife

Action for Wildlife will not just initiate new projects and work with more partners over time but, through its webpages and social media, MWT will also be able to talk to people about its exciting programme of conservation.

I am delighted to support the launch of Action for Wildlife, a result of many years of partnership working between the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture and Manx Wildlife Trust that will help meet the goals of our biodiversity strategy
Michelle Haywood MHK
Member for Environment, DEFA