Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour receives £22,000 cash boost

Dorset Wildlife Trust has received a £22,260 grant for improvements on Brownsea Island.

The project, known as ‘Wild Brownsea’, aims to improve accessibility on the island in a sustainable way.

The grant is part of the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fund, which aims to enhance the landscape around the Wytch Farm oil field.

Brian Bleese, from the Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Contact with nature has enormous health and wellbeing benefits.

“Improved accessibility will mean that people of all backgrounds and abilities will be able to enjoy the island’s wildlife and landscape.”

The money will be put towards £180,111 worth of improvements, including:

• Enhanced, fully accessible boardwalks and footpaths
• Updated signage to facilitate a high-quality visitor experience
• Improved management of visitor flows to reduce impact on wildlife
• A fully accessible trail
• A new wellbeing trail
• Fully accessible new visitor facility
• New wildlife observatory

A key aim will be to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of regular contact with nature.