Scottish Seabird Centre Impact Report Edition 2 2022

IMPACT REPORT

Edition 2 2022

Image © Helen Pugh

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CONTENTS 03 Introduction 04 Audiences

Engaging individuals and communities throughout Scotland

06 Conservation

Supporting marine conservation in Scotland

08 Education

Connecting people and nature

10 Communities

Collaborating with local communities and scientific partners

12 Experience

Creating inspiring events, activities, and exhibitions

14 Supporters

Thank you to all those who have made our work possible

Image © Shutterstock

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INTRODUCTION Scotland’s marine environment is valuable for its diverse habitats and species, and its contribution to health, society and economy.

We must hold world leaders, including our own government, to their commitments, as well as taking action ourselves.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report, published autumn 2021, makes clear the scale and severity of the impacts - especially to our precious marine environment - if significant, decisive action is not taken.

As a conservation and education Charity we inspire and educate people about the Scottish marine environment, motivating them to care for it and to support conservation efforts.

COP26 presented an opportunity to commit to such decisive action.

Sadly, agreements to limit global warming to 1.5° C were not achieved, but targets to reduce emissions by 2030 were strengthened. For Scotland, this includes a commitment by the Scottish Government to focus on nature-based solutions and the finance to support them.

Such commitments cannot come soon enough. Late 2021 saw significant evidence of climate change and biodiversity loss globally and locally, from the devastations of Storm Arwen - including an estimated 800 seal pups lost from St Abb’s Nature Reserve - to the unprecedented numbers of dead guillemots and razorbills recorded along the east coast.

Our vision is to help ensure that Scotland’s marine environment is healthy, wildlife-rich, valued and enjoyed by all.

Our work to support our vision is structured around four key pillars – Conservation, Education, Community and Experience.

This report shares details of our achievements from August 2021 to January 2022 and our contribution to national and international marine conservation goals.

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AUDIENCES

Engaging individuals and communities throughout Scotland We welcomed visitors back to our Discovery Experience as Covid-19 travel restrictions eased and were delighted to be able to support young children who had been affected by the restrictions. Our learning team also continued to produce digital resources to engage with groups that were more isolated such as those in care homes.

A key priority for us is to expand our learning programmes to reach a wider number of young people. We were thrilled, therefore, to welcome Louise Macdonald OBE, FRSE as our first brand ambassador. Louise is national director for the Institute of Directors and former CEO of the award-winning Young Scot. Louise will challenge how we engage with children and young people. As a champion for young people’s rights, and the importance of nature for their well-being, Louise will support us to forge new partnerships that will help inspire young people to care for and protect Scotland’s amazing marine wildlife.

Image © Nicol Nicolson

In addition to engaging a wider number of young people, we remain committed to developing a culture of lifelong learning and active ageing; addressing inequalities; and removing the additional barriers that many individuals and groups face when accessing our programmes and activities. Forging links with fresh delivery partners is key to our ability to achieve these goals, especially in working with harder to reach groups in society. One participant led programme to be developed is in partnership with LINKNet Mentoring, working with BME Groups new to Scotland. Family sessions are important as childcare is often a barrier, as is the creation of ‘safe’ spaces. We aim to develop indoor and outdoor sessions that support beneficiaries to get comfortable in nature while learning English and building social capital.

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CONSERVATION

Supporting marine conservation in Scotland Our marine wildlife and habitats are under increasing threat from the global impacts of the climate crisis and nature loss. More than 40,000 species globally – 28% of all assessed – are threatened with extinction. This

includes 13% of all birds, 37% of sharks and rays, 33% of reef corals and 28% of selected crustaceans.

(Source: IUCN Red List.)

1 out of 5

The UK currently loses

Sources predict a

56%

bird species in Europe is threatened or Near Threatened by extinction (Source: BirdLife International.)

90%

decline in UK puffin numbers by 2050 (Source: British Trust for Ornithology.)

As a Charity our goal is to ensure marine habitats and wildlife are adequately protected, restored and resilient to these pressures.

90%

of wildlife walk attendees felt more connected to / knowledgeable about the marine environment

100

hectares of saltmarshes and mudflats each year (Source: NatureScot)

of northern fulmars have more that 0.1g of plastic in their stomachs (Source: OSPAR, Oil Spill Prevention, Administration and Response)

To support this we are developing, demonstrating and promoting models of conservation best practice and citizen science. From August 2021 to January 2022 these have included:

261

community volunteers collected 110 bags of litter throughout 2021

22

people gained the skills and opportunity to contribute to citizen science

Image credits clockwise from top © Dora Roden, © Nicol Nicolson, © Barbara Schofield, © Richard Lilley

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Feedback from conservation projects: “Great event tonight. Some amazing people doing wonderful work around our coastline!”

Attendee, Beach Clean forum event “Joy and I immensely enjoyed the walk. Your professionalism, presentation and enthusiasm were exceptional and your warm and welcoming manner was really lovely. You are a highly talented communicator and I look forward to bringing more young people … and hopefully eventually get some volunteering.”

“Can I just say how much I enjoyed the wildlife walk today. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get out and chat with like-minded people about nature and our fantastic wildlife. Please pass on my thanks to Emily for sharing all her knowledge on the day, an asset to the Seabird Centre.”

Attendee, Beach Clean forum event

Image © Richard Lilley

Image © Emily Burton

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EDUCATION

Connecting people and nature Research continues to show just how important nature is to individual health and well-being. Blue spaces are of particular benefit; it is well documented that being near the ocean improves our health and

77%

of people are heading outdoors at least once a week and 48% expect to visit more frequently (Source: NatureScot)

wellbeing (Source: BlueHealth). One impact of Covid-19 and lockdown was an increase in the numbers of people spending time outdoors, engaging with nature and wild spaces:

45%

of people indicated they had helped make their outdoor space more nature-friendly and 52% wanted to do more to help local wildlife in 2022 (Source: NatureScot)

Almost

60%

of 16-24 year olds are keen to volunteer in nature (Source: NatureScot)

As a Charity our goal is to ensure everyone has an opportunity to engage with the Scottish marine environment and has access to informative educational resources.

To support this, we deliver marine education programmes, science resources and events that are relevant to national education frameworks.

1095

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Oomph Wellness partnership to encourage lifelong learning and healthy ageing, produced

Over

interacted with our contribution to ‘curious about our planet festival’ connecting STEM professionals with adults and young people ahead of COP26

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new resources for older / isolated people

Dive In learning packs produced on topics such as pollution, sea-life and climate change

500

children engaged with our outdoor and workshop sessions

Image credits Clockwise from top © Helen Pugh, © Helen Pugh, © Helen Pugh, © Phil Wilkinson

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Feedback from beneficiaries of our learning programmes:

“This is absolutely fantastic – thank you! I love it and can’t wait to get it onto the site.”

Feedback from Care Provider – partner – regarding marine resources for 65+ engagement “We attended the Live Science Show – Climate Sale (when it’s gone it’s gone) and had a great time. Very well organised and very safe in line with current covid guidelines. An interactive and fun show with opportunities to learn about little things we can do to help save our climate. Lots of laughs and jokes along the way (for adults and kids). Overall a very enjoyable experience, thank you!”

Family attending Live Science Show

“The staff were so lovely – friendly and informative. Thank you.”

“Thank you for a fantastic activity.”

“Everything done at kids’ pace – brilliant.”

“Learning from Fran the animals which we’ve ignored and had no idea about.”

“Having someone knowledgeable to tell us what we were looking at and what to look for.”

Feedback from Rockpool Rambles

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COMMUNITIES

Collaborating with local communities and scientific partners “It’s within our power, because most of the problems are created by us, and we can solve them or should be able to solve them … Break down those walls and get people talking about it who wouldn’t otherwise meet.”

Sir David Attenborough, naturalist, TV presenter, writer and campaigner There are few opportunities for the public to engage with and learn about our marine environment. The majority is hidden and inaccessible to most people. Lack of understanding is a risk – people need to understand the problem to find the solution.

Making science accessible helps build awareness of issues and how to address them.

As a Charity our goal is to ensure that people, through having a positive engagement with our work, are motivated to help conserve Scotland’s seabirds and marine environment.

We do this by working in partnership with local groups and the scientific community to provide resources and activities that enable people to enjoy, increase understanding of and contribute towards practical conservation projects.

200+

people interacted with experts in the field via 4 Meet the Scientist events

60%

of Seabird Social attendees had never visited before; 100% said they would consider visiting as a result of the event

Image credits clockwise from top © Marie Seraphim, © Phil Wilkinson

225

attendees across 7 guided wildlife walks as part of North Berwick’s Coastal Walking Festival

88%

of attendees to the Bryan Nelson Memorial Lecture agreed the event highlighted the importance of protecting the marine environment

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Feedback from our partnerships:

“So good to have a family-friendly event to come along to on our doorstep.”

“Great fun, more events please!”

“It’s my first time in the Centre in years. I’ll definitely revisit the Discovery Centre to see what’s new.”

Feedback from attendees of Wildlife Walks “Our guide was amazing, so lovely and knowledgeable” “Very informative and interesting” “Emily was a fantastic host and the walk was very informative – a great first birdwatching experience!”

“Thank you again for the lovely walks, everyone seemed to really enjoy it. All of the initiatives you are working on sounded incredible.”

Feedback from Edinburgh University Ocean Advocates group

Image © Emily Burton

Image © Marie Seraphim

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EXPERIENCE

Creating inspiring events, activities, and exhibitions “We are failing to manage our land, freshwater, and seas sustainably.

We want and need Europe to lead the world in restoring nature, but for that to happen, nothing short of a transformation of our economies is needed. This transformation must begin NOW, in what the UN has called the Decade of Ecological Restoration.”

Martin Harper, Regional Director, BirdLife Europe Visitor Attractions have an important role to play in helping audiences understand human impact on biodiversity and the climate crises.

It is vital that we encourage greater appreciation of the urgency and the need to take action.

Through our 5-star visitor experience, wildlife adventure tourism, and digital technology, we provide a year-round immersive experience that gives people the opportunity to dive in and explore Scotland’s marine environment.

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events that engaged young children and families on topical marine conservation

New Rocky shore animation and interactive app created and installed

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As a Charity our goal is to develop our position as a recognised national marine education and tourism experience that helps people make informed choices about the marine environment.

We are delighted to have received Covid-19 support funding from a variety of sources, which has enabled us not only to cope with the restrictions on indoor visitors, but to add fresh experiences to our offering. These include a new events programme, hosting of temporary exhibitions, a new animation and development of our virtual reality experience.

people landed on the Bass Rock the world’s largest Northern gannet colony 173 boat experiences for

2,672 58,151

people around the Firth of Forth islands

visitors to our Centre

Image credits clockwise from top © Jess Thompson, © Helen Pugh, © Susan Davies

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Feedback from our partnerships:

“I visited your Centre today and as well as thoroughly enjoying my trip I felt the need to highlight just how great your member of staff Kevin was. He was welcoming without feeling intrusive, helpful and passionate without feeling over the top/ overbearing.

He’s a credit to your organisation and his passion for your work couldn’t have been more clear. This is the first (Trip Advisor review) I’ve ever done – which again goes to show just how good he was!”

Trip Advisor Review “My boyfriend and I went on the one hour boat trip from the Seabird Centre to Bass Rock. It was truly amazing, we loved every minute of it! A must see for anyone in the area – next time we would go on a longer tour.

The guide on the boat was super knowledgeable and answered everyone’s questions too. Would recommend!”

Trip Advisor Review “Fantastic day out with kids. Learnt a lot from the expert guides about seabirds. Great enthusiasm by the staff about marine life.” ” Trip Advisor Review

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SUPPORTERS Thank you to all those who have made our work possible We are grateful to all the loyal supporters, companies, Trusts and foundations who make our work possible. Our particular thanks in this edition go to those who have supported us from August 2021 to the present, including: Benevity

Blackbaud

Brewin Dolphin

Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Cirrus Logic International UK Cruden Foundation Limited Darwin 200

Digital Boost Development Grant Enterprise Holdings Foundation

EventScotland – Year of Coasts and Waters 2021 In memoriam and legacy donors Nancy Roberts Charitable Trust

NatureScot – Nature Restoration Fund North Berwick Golf Club

Rural Communities Ideas Into Actions Fund – administered by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government Rural Economy and Communities Division

Image © Mr Smith Aerial (Andy Smith)

Scottish Seabird Centre Friends, Members and Volunteers Selkirk Charitable Trust St Mary’s Charity TD Paton Trust

William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust

William Haddon Charitable Trust Many more generous individuals have supported us financially, as well as through their time, expertise and gifts in kind. While it is not possible to list the many generous individuals who have given, we are extremely grateful. “ The Cirrus Logic Edinburgh Team had an amazing experience at the Scottish Seabird Centre with a variety of activities and such stunning surroundings. The staff really appreciated the opportunity to work together in person. We learned much more about the marine world and it’s great to know the work we did will have had a positive impact – we are now fully versed in nurdle hunting!

The day was well organised and presented, taking account of different needs and abilities. Everyone had a great time and we definitely recommend it to others.”

Cirrus Logic, feedback from corporate conservation volunteering day

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seabird.org Registered Charity SC025837

Image © Helen Pugh