Scottish Seabird Centre - Impact Report 2023

IMPACT REPORT

Edition 4

August 2022 - February 2023

Image © Lewis M Jeffries

Image © Greg Macvean

“The three islands were incredible. To hear the history and see the wildlife (including puffins!) was amazing. Bass Rock in particular was such an experience... truly spectacular.”

Tripadvisor review of guided boat trip

Image © Clare Strachan

INTRODUCTION

The latter months of 2022 held both opportunities and challenges for our marine environment. Despite the heart-breaking effects of avian flu on the Bass Rock – the world’s largest colony of Northern gannets, we were able to continue to support researchers studying these iconic seabirds, and to help implement a range of practical management and biosecurity activities on other islands in the Firth of Forth as the season progressed.

From a national to a global scale, conservation bodies undertook collaborative action around COP15 (Biodiversity) in Montreal and COP27 (Climate) in Sharm el-Sheikh in the hopes that these events would produce a significant catalyst for world-changing action.

We responded directly, and through Scottish Environment LINK, to the consultation on the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045: tackling the nature emergency in Scotland. We are pleased to see commitments to effective protection of marine protected areas (MPAs) and to addressing, at scale, the threats to biodiversity.

As an environmental education charity, we are well positioned to support the strategy’s aim to initiate ”a programme of public engagement to increase understanding of the

nature of the biodiversity crisis”, including the impact of consumption and production choices (Source: draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy). By delivering learning resources that are directly relevant to the Curriculum for Excellence, we will support increased understanding of ‘our relationship with nature and positive action to secure its sustainable use’.

As you will read from the following report, our conservation, education, community and experience programmes continue to deliver Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to this vision.

Our role is to inspire and educate people about the Scottish marine environment, to motivate them to care for it and support conservation efforts.

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 2022 to February 2023.

AUDIENCES

Engaging individuals and communities throughout Scotland

The Scottish Seabird Centre welcomes 165,000 visits to our Science and Discovery Centre each year. Our wider, conservation, education, community, and experience activities engage almost 1000 through outreach, a further 1000 through our annual Marine Fest, and nearly 1500 via our learning programmes. We also welcome a further 8600+ people on our guided wildlife boat trips to islands in the Firth of Forth. This range of activities enables us to engage diverse audiences, inspiring them to learn about, and care for, Scotland’s stunning marine wildlife and habitats.

The diversity of our audience and network of partners also gives us the opportunity to contribute to efforts that address the inequalities that exist in our society. For example, findings from a series of focus groups led by Fair Start Scotland highlighted employment barriers that include unsuitable working environment, discrimination, lack of access to childcare, lack of access to training and qualifications, and low confidence. (Source: Scottish Government, January 2023).

Through funding, volunteering connections, and partnerships we were able to address some of these needs during the latter half of 2022 by developing several nature-based sessions with BME Groups (LINKNet mentoring), young people (North Berwick Youth Project, Venture Trust), Care Home residents, and individuals experiencing mental health problems (Changes), helping to build social confidence, skills and experience. We look forward to extending this work as part of our 2023 activity plan.

The recruitment of a new Education Officer also gives us the opportunity to build fresh partnerships with Scottish schools, colleges and Universities, strengthening our learning programmes to deliver curriculum outcomes and inspire curiosity about marine science research and careers.

Image © Helen Pugh

CONSERVATION

Supporting marine conservation in Scotland

Scotland’s natural capital is vital not only for its intrinsic value, but also for its impact on current and future economic prosperity. Scotland’s Forum on Natural Capital Steering Group wrote to the Scottish Government in December 2022, ahead of the Biodiversity COP15 in Montreal, in an attempt to galvanise financial investment by governments and businesses to support nature’s recovery. (Source: www.naturalcapitalscotland.com).

Securing the future of our natural capital, including our diverse marine environment requires support not only of government and businesses, but also at an individual level. The recent Ocean Literacy survey (see statistics on right) indicates an enthusiasm for individual and community action (Source: Ocean Conservation Trust):

Ocean Literacy is also one of the social outcomes for Scotland’s Blue Economy. This encompasses access to learning, valuing and respecting Scotland’s seas, being inspired to pursue marine careers and skills, making informed life choices, and being empowered to participate in governance and decision-making forums about Scotland’s sea.

We can harness individual and community enthusiasm, building ocean literacy as well as advocating for policy and behavioural changes at industry and government level.

Our goal is to ensure marine habitats and wildlife are adequately protected, restored and resilient to these pressures.

74%

of people have or plan to make lifestyle changes to protect the marine environment

69% cited climate change as their main motivator for making lifestyle changes

50% surveyed had visited the marine environment in the last 12 months – an increase of

10%

To support this we are developing, demonstrating and promoting models of conservation best practice and citizen science. From August 2022 to January 2023 these have included:

Policy consultations and development on the circular economy, 30x30 protected areas campaign, and draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

5 blogs raising awareness around key environmental issues including COP15, blue carbon resources and the UN decade of nature

75 engagements with people through 6 Citizen science sessions and marine wildlife surveys for seals, seabirds and cetaceans that both increases engagement and contributes data to studies that build a picture of Scotland’s marine environment

8 conservation trips to internationally important island seabird colonies to remove litter, manage invasive species and undertake biosecurity checks

455 people engaged in marine conservation and citizen science via 28 community and education sessions as part of our role with Restoration Forth

Image credits from the top © Greg Macvean, Rose Murdoch, Greg Macvean

Feedback from conservation projects:

“Many thanks it was a really good event. As I’m usually head down, bottom up on the shore, it was great to focus on some seabirds and coastal vegetation for a change!”

Restoration Forth community engagement events

“I’ve just been to an excellent talk by Marie and Charlotte - go if you get a chance to hear them.”

Restoration Forth community engagement events

“The Marine Citizen Science Toolkit experience is both interesting and inspiring. Emily was very knowledgeable and passionate about coastal birds and the marine environment in general. Well worth the trip to North Berwick.”

Compass School

“A slightly overdue note to thank you very much for your leadership of the volunteering day on Craigleith last weekend. I certainly feel I learned many new things and have been motivated to try to find other similar conservation volunteering opportunities. Your leadership and communication with the group was also spot on and it meant everyone felt very involved and worked as a team.”

Feedback from public conservation and citizen science events

“I booked on their Wildlife Walk along the beach, with conservation officer Emily. It was fantastic! Her knowledge seemed boundless. It felt like going on a walk with Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin from Springwatch. We were also provided with some excellent binoculars to use.”

Feedback from public conservation and citizen science events

Images © Emily Burton

Image © Greg Macvean

ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION 2021 - 2023

Image © Greg Macvean

EDUCATION

In recognition of the significant learning and development impacts time spent in nature can have on children and young people, the Scottish Government has now introduced ‘nature-connectedness’ as an integral part of the Curriculum for Excellence. (Source: Education Scotland.)

Nature habitats and outdoor settings can also provide a more accessible space for STEM learning. Despite the positive outcomes STEM knowledge can have on our employability, and its contribution to the economy, many still face significant barriers to STEM engagement and learning. We need to identify and understand the reasons for unequal access, to achieve a major cultural shift in course choice processes and career pathways. (Source: STEM education and training strategy – refresh: annual report May 2022).

Connecting people and nature

700

primary-aged children engaged in nature-based activities and STEM via formal and informal learning sessions

Online

We have a strong track record of delivering nature-based STEM learning. Learning opportunities come from the workshop sessions we deliver in our Learning Hub or in schools, our outreach programme and science festival engagements and through informative and fun digital resources. Every visitor who comes to our Discovery Experience will learn something about the marine environment and Scotland’s internationally important seabirds and be inspired and empowered to take action to protect them now and for the future. To support this goal, we deliver marine education programmes, science resources and events that are relevant to national education frameworks.

3 sessions for 40+ college and University students to explore career topics including sustainable tourism and marine management

330+

individuals and families engaged through accessible and interactive marine science outreach activities

350

Engaging 350 children through virtual reality dive experience as part of the Orkney Science Festival

Engaging over 63 people with scientists in the field via Meet the Scientist events on Blue Carbon and the East Lothian Snorkel Trail

Image credits from the top © Helen Pugh, Charlotte Foster, SRUC

‘virtual’ learning workshops connecting pupils in Orkney with the East Lothian coastline

Feedback from beneficiaries of our learning programmes:

“I thought it was wonderful. Not many assemblies are so well received and engaging as yours. I can barely get my children with additional support needs to sit for 5 minutes but they sat through it engrossed”.

Glaitness Primary School, Orkney

“One of the best events I have been to with a class.”

Compass School

“Thank you – you made the activities fun and were very informative.”

Attendees of outreach events

“That was absolutely brilliant today. The children are buzzing.”

Restoration Forth community engagement event

“Thank you for an interesting and informative talk and for encouraging inputs from the audience e.g. sharing resources.”

Feedback from Meet the Scientist event

“Really enjoyable afternoon. Charlotte (Marine Outreach Officer) was really well informed and held everyone’s attention really well.”

Attendees of outreach events

COMMUNITIES

Collaborating with local communities and scientific partners

Our mental health is shaped by our environments and experiences, much of which is out of our control. The climate crisis, cost of living crisis, and additional pressures continue to create new mental health risks for people and communities throughout Scotland. For this reason, the Scottish Government has undertaken a consultation and is preparing to draft a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland. (Source: the Mental Health Foundation.)

• 6 out of 10 adults (59%) said that the cost of living crisis has had a negative impact on their mental health

• Survey responses included anxiety, depression and feelings of hopelessness as common symptoms

• Mental health problems cost the Scottish economy £8.8 billion (2019 (Source: mentalhealth.org.uk)

By partnering with charities supporting some of the most vulnerable in Scotland, the Scottish Seabird Centre can help individuals and communities access the many mental health and wellbeing benefits of time spent in nature.

Volunteering has also been shown to be beneficial for mental health, providing structure and routine, building a sense of civic pride, and offering opportunities to make friends (Source: Mental Health Foundation UK). Nature-based volunteering helps improve the local environment while also strengthening a sense of community pride and

ownership.

Our goal is to ensure that people have a positive engagement with our work, leading to positive impacts for individuals and increased motivation to help conserve Scotland’s seabirds and marine environment.

4 wildlife and wellbeing sessions providing health benefits to 26 people experiencing mental health issues

250 people involved in protecting our local coastline through self-led and community beach cleans, removing 31 bags of litter

Nature-based sessions aiming to build confidence and reduce isolation engaging 21 BME individuals and families new to Scotland

300 people engaged via 7 Seabird Social events, connecting new audiences with the marine world and making use of our venue as a community resource

Supporting 14 care home residents to experience coastal wildlife and landscapes through 2 tailored visits

Image credits from top © Emily Burton, Andrew Cronnie, Cronnie Creative

Feedback from our partnerships:

“I loved the opportunity to just be outside and by the sea all day. Going out and looking at all the different life to be found at the seashore has been really interesting. I especially enjoyed learning about the different seaweeds and rockpool life. Making connections with people and spending time together has been really nice and great for my mental wellbeing.”

Feedback from Wellbeing in Nature sessions (partnership with Changes charity) School, Orkney

“It exceeded expectations. Enjoyed every minute. Learnt a lot about seabirds / marine life as well as just being outdoors in a beautiful natural environment.”

Feedback from Wellbeing in Nature sessions (partnership with Changes charity) School, Orkney

“The staff are really nice and very sociable - they made me enjoy my time and have a better experience of the place.”

Feedback from nature-based sessions for individuals new to Scotland (partnership with LINKNet mentoring)

“Going to plan a beach clean local to us. Staff were excellent - very friendly, informative and allowed the kids to be extremely hands-on which was great and much appreciated.”

Live Science Show attendees inspired to take action

Image credits left to right © Clara Strachan, Lily Parfitt

EXPERIENCE

Creating inspiring events, activities, and exhibitions

We are part of the UK network of Science and Discovery Centres that are so integral to inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators. We are committed to bringing a range of new events, exhibitions and experiences to our Centre that are accessible for diverse audiences, especially those who are under-represented in society and will be focusing more on this in the coming year.

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.

“Our purpose-driven members are steadfast in their vision for a more equitable and sustainable future for science and science engagement in the UK.”

Shaaron Leverment Chief Executive, ASDC

300+ young families learning about nature restoration and climate change though 15 innovative Live Science Shows

4,830 visitors to our interactive Discovery Experience

3,750 inspired by the wonders of local seabird colonies via 175 guided boat trips

Coastal Connections exhibition in partnership with Anstruther Fisheries Museum, aiming to engage young people with coastal history and heritage.

Image credits from top © Chris Jones SWT, Helen Pugh, Helen Pugh

Feedback from participants:

“Great information available for all ages. Lots of interactive activities for kids…Kevin went out his way to personalise our experience (for us as adults).”

“Lots of hands on stuff which is brilliant. All the family built a Lego creature! Had a lovely time.”

Live Science Show attendees

“Will continue to do better in thinking about what we use and eat! Thank you. Very interesting and interactive so kept our interest.”

Live Science Show attendees

“Fantastic and engaging show. Informative and interactive. Kids loved it and I learned lots!”

Live Science Show attendees

“We had a fantastic time... I’ve left with a new found fascination and appreciation of seabirds and Scotland’s wildlife.”

Tripadvisor reviews of our Centre and Discovery Experience

Tripadvisor reviews of our Centre and Discovery Experience

“Really interesting centre and working for a great cause. The staff are so friendly and all very passionate and knowledgeable. They’re available to ask questions and there are lots of interactive exhibits within the centre. You can even watch the birds on Bass Rock and control them!”

Tripadvisor reviews of our Centre and Discovery Experience

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

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 2022 to January 2023, including:

Avian Flu appeal donors

Baillie Gifford

Big Give Christmas Challenge donors

Capricorn Energy

Cruden Foundation Ltd.

Garfield Weston Foundation

The Geoffrey Clark Charitable Trust

John Lewis

Mackintosh Foundation

Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust

Mindsets + Missions

New Park Educational Trust

Nimar Charitable Trust

North Berwick Trust

The Path Trust

Scottish and Southern Energy

St Mary’s Charity

Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust

Viewforth Trust

William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust

William Grant Foundation

William Haddon Charitable Trust

Zoological Society of Hertfordshire

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.

Image © Chris Jones SWT

Image © Andy Smith

Image © Lewis M Jeffries