CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST
What’s the background of the trust? How did it all start? Cornwall Wildlife Trust was established in 1962 which means that we have been raising funds and taking action to protect Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places for 60 years! With the invaluable support of our members, volunteers, corporate supporters and a wide range of partners we manage 59 nature reserves, creating safe havens in which wildlife can survive and thrive. Our mission is to reverse the decline of nature in Cornwall.
Carolyn Cadman We meet Cornwall Wildlife Trust chief executive Carolyn Cadman, who explains the importance of nature’s relationship with the tourism sector.
We are stepping up our drive to inspire people in Cornwall – residents and visitors, young and old, one and all - to love and care for the natural environment. We also work with marine businesses, including fishermen and recreational tourism providers, advising them on how to reduce their impact on wildlife. Thirty years ago we established a consultancy business – Cornwall Environmental Consultants – which offers ecology and landscape services to tourist providers, developers, businesses and home owners in Cornwall and beyond. The consultancy helps to deliver our mission to reverse the decline in wildlife and has raised over £1 million to support the work of the charity. How is the wildlife scene in Cornwall, any notable positive trends? And notable challenges? Last year Cornwall Wildlife Trust published the Cornwall State of Nature 2020 report with Cornwall Council and the University of Exeter. The headline message, sadly, is that wildlife is in decline. Twelve per cent of what are known as “species of principal importance” are threatened with local extinction, and nearly half of land-based mammals and three-fifths of butterflies found in fewer places. Cornwall is experiencing an ecological and climate emergency but there is good news, Cornwall Wildlife Trust has the knowledge, experience, hands-on ability, grass roots connections and partner relationships to work to create Cornwall where nature can thrive once more. I see CWT sponsors Cornwall Tourism Awards - how important is the relationship between CWT and Tourism? The beauty of Cornwall’s coasts and
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TALKING TOURISM
SPRING 2022
