INTERVIEW

Carolyn Cadman

We meet Cornwall Wildlife Trust chief executive Carolyn Cadman, who explains the importance of nature’s relationship with the tourism sector.

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. 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

countryside helps to market and sell the Duchy as a tourist destination, but that beauty can also mask both the social and environmental deprivation that it is present here. We believe it is vitally important to reward and recognise the exemplary tourism businesses who are working hard to protect and promote Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places as an integral part of their offer to visitors. Those businesses are demonstrating to others and to their customers ways in which taking action for the planet and for local people is also profitable, and this should be celebrated.

What impact does tourism have on Cornwall’s natural environment and its wildlife? Are there challenges with this?

Common dolphins are just one of the many species supported by Cornwall’s iconic coastline. Along with nesting seabirds, internationally rare Atlantic grey seals and basking sharks, Cornwall’s dolphins are increasingly suffering due to the increase of recreational and commercial users. Wildlife disturbance by sea users, whether a boat, jet ski, kayak or even a SUP, has become one of the greatest threats to our marine and coastal wildlife and Cornwall Wildlife Trust are keen to work with everyone to change behaviour and reduce disturbance. Research published by the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group shows disturbance reports increase from February to August every year, with spikes in both July and August. This coincides with the peak visitor season in Cornwall, with more and more people wanting to enjoy Cornwall’s stunning coastline during the spring and summer months.

Do you think Cornwall’s wildlife and environment is a key component in the popularity of Cornwall as a tourist destination?

We know from Visit Cornwall’s research that one of the key reasons visitors come to Cornwall is because of our beautiful coasts and countryside and for a breath of fresh air. As said earlier though, the beauty can mask the face that wildlife is in decline and it can be hard to get the message across to our visitors, and indeed to people who live in Cornwall, that nature needs our help.

Willow Tit © AdamJones

Now a year on, how is the G7 legacy project for nature recovery going?

The G7 Nature Recovery Legacy Project has delivered some amazing outcomes and benefits in its first year. The project is a collection of activities happening in the former industrial China Clay area of mid Cornwall and is delivering nature, climate and people benefits. An army of volunteers have joined newly recruited apprentices and practical task and community organising teams employed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Natural England to plant trees, clear scrubland and remove invasive species across a wide area of land including nature reserves, farmland and former industrial areas. As well as keeping those volunteers active and happy, the nature recovery work benefits endangered Marsh Fritillary Butterflies, Dormice and Willow Tit. We’ve also been able to improve access for more people with limited mobilty to a number of nature sites, including Helman Tor, Goss Moor and a disabled walkway at the Cornwall Beaver Project. The volunteers are transported to the nature recovery sites using an electric minibus, which is also reducing the carbon footprint of the habitat restoration.

Taking action for the planet and for local people is also profitable Carolyn Cadman photos (including cover) © Suzanne Johnson