News and Information from the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership

Our Land:Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Protected Landscapes

The AONB Partnership is working with the Islands’ Partnership to support and develop sustainable tourism on the Islands.

We have joined a new national scheme – the Our Land Initiative – which promotes green tourism in AONBs and National Parks. The project aims to help visitors make a connection between their holiday experience and landscape conservation. Our Land seeks to discover, develop and promote the conservation stories of people running tourism businesses in protected landscapes such as the Isles of Scilly AONB.

Read more about the Our Land initiative here.

Photograph courtesy of Isles of Scilly Tourism

Scilly Farmers' and Growers' Initiative

The Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership works with local farmers to conserve and enhance Scilly’s historic and natural landscape and to help ensure that farming has a bright future on the Islands.

The Scilly Farmers' and Growers' Initiative (SFGI) is a newly established group which works with local farmers and growers and with organisations such as the Islands' Partnership, the Duchy of Cornwall, and the AONB Partnership to develop initiatives that will build capacity, confidence and creativity into local production and supply chains in Scilly. 

The SFGI acts as a central hub for the farming community - helping to arrange training and access to professional advice; bringing farmers together in an informal setting on farm walks; arranging bulk buying of commodities and shared machinery to cut costs.

Potential future projects include the expansion of the local food industry, encouraging closer ties between growers and commercial consumers (e.g. hotels and restaurants), an online market place, seasonal food and drink festivals, and the investigation of an Isles of Scilly brand.

If you would like to know more about the Scilly Farmers' and Growers' Initiative, please contact Jess Vian (SFGI Manager) 01720 422544 or email jess@farmscilly.co.uk

New Manager for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has appointed a new manager to join its team.

Sarah Mason joins the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust where she worked as ‘Head of Nature and People’, gaining experience in managing nature reserves, fund-raising, business planning and networking with related organizations and people.

Sarah's main goals are to improve the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust's external funding streams and to work with the people of Scilly to understand and appreciate their natural environment.

The AONB Partnership and AONB Staff look forward to working with Sarah, Wildlife Trust Staff and the Trustees.

Beach Cleans in the AONB

The Trust for Conservation Volunteers (TCV) visited Scilly again this spring to carry out a series of beach cleans across the Islands as part of their annual TCV Holiday.

The 10 volunteers and two leaders collected a staggering 280kg of rubbish washed up onto Scilly's beaches.

They are visiting again in October to help carry out this important work.

Community Led Beach Cleans

The windy weather experienced so far this spring has seen a lot of rubbish washed up onto Scilly's shores. As a result many local residents are taking action to help clean it up.

On Saturday 20th April, local resident Nikki Banfield led an army of volunteers to clear an unprecedented amount of rubbish from Porth Hellick beach.

The AONB Partnership supported this event and is pleased to see the local community leading on beach cleans.

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The Council of the Isles Scilly and local volunteers help to dispose of beach waste from AONB Beach Cleans.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust cares for over 60% of Scilly, including many of the beaches cleaned.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust are members of the AONB Partnership.

AONB Sustainable Development Fund 13/14

The Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership recieved a lot of interest in this year's round of the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).

The AONB Sustainable Development Fund aims to support projects that enhance and conserve the AONB environment and its communities.

Details of the successful applicants and their worthwile projects will be available soon.

Bee Happy, Grow Flowers!

AONB Staff joined local artist Imogen Bone, and the local Brownies, to make wonderful handmade flower seed heads just in time for spring planting.

The pretty seed heads are easy to grow and completely biodegradable! They can be planted directly into the soil as they are.

This activity forms part of a series of initiatives helping to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators to Scilly's natural environment.

Imogen is currently studying for a Master in Art and the Environment at Falmouth University. Imogen's project 'Bee Happy' is a collaborative community art project raising awareness of declining bee populations through art.

If you would like to do more for bees and other pollinators in your garden, follow this helpful guidance from the Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society-Wild About Gardens. For Scilly residents, take a look at the AONB website for tips on what plants best suit the Islands' maritime climate.

What's On in the AONB

24th World Pilot Gig Championships: 3rd-6th May 2013.

Join around 130 Pilot Gigs and their crews as they take to the water around Scilly. A fantastic spectacle!

The AONB Partnership would like to wish all crews taking part the best of luck and hope that all rowers, supporters and visitors have a great time.

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Art Scilly Week- 11th-13th May 2013

A range of artists and craftspeople are opening their studios to share skills, knowledge and to provide inspiration for local residents and visitors.

Take a look at the Art Scilly website for more information.

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Trenoweth Community Orchard Open Day- 11th May 2013

Transition Scilly is holding an open day at the Community Orchard, Trenoweth, St Mary's from 12 noon onwards.

Bee kite flying, cakes and games!

Bring a picnic and enjoy the surroundings.

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Bat Walk-Tuesday 28th May.

Join volunteers from the Isles of Scilly Bat Group and discover the amazing world of bats in Scilly.