Community Windpower & BeGreen Dunbar's Covid-19 crisis fund supports Scottish Seabird Centre

Scottish Seabird Centre (c) Rob McDougall

Together with our BeGreen Centre in Dunbar we’re using some of our joint Covid-19 crisis fund to support a fantastic environmental, education and conservation charity.

The fund has provided the independent Scottish Seabird Centre with a £2,500 donation at a critical time in the charity’s future.

The money will be used to help create and share activities including window wildlife surveys, blogs, whiteboard animations, downloadable worksheets, filmed activities (e.g. virtual rock pooling) and other opportunities to promote discussion among children and families to help continue educating children about the environment in and around the sea.

They will help provide a vision to children about how we can keep our marine environment healthy, wildlife-rich and allow it to be enjoyed by everyone.

Those who will benefit from the activity include children and families in North Berwick, Edinburgh and the Lothians, and groups facing additional barriers to engagement e.g. those with learning needs or in areas of deprivation.

The aim is that, via this work, they will be encouraged to learn about and care for the marine environment, spending time outdoors and developing an interest in science and conservation

Almost 80% of the Scottish Seabird Centre’s income is raised via the not-for-profit Visitor Centre (picture above, courtesy of Rob McDougall), through admission to the Discovery Experience, education bookings, guided boat trips and purchases in our café and shop, all of which have been closed since March.

Susan Davies, CEO of the Scottish Seabird Centre said “This week the Scottish Seabird Centre passed the 20^th anniversary of the day its doors were formally opened to the public by HRH Duke of Rothesay. It was with a heavy heart that our 20^th birthday celebrations, which would have taken place alongside our Year of Coast and Waters 2020 Marine Festival, had to be put on hold this week. Both due to the continued closure of the Centre and the challenging financial position that COVID19 has thrust upon us.

“We do though still have hope for the future given the immense generosity of the public and our members to our urgent appeal. This alongside COVID crisis funding, such as that received from Community Windpower and BeGreen Dunbar, are essential to keep the lights on and continue to deliver educational resources.

“Since the appeal was launched we have raised £82,000 towards our £200,000 target. If we reach that target, by the end of July, it will help us unlock match funding. We realise we still have a cliff to climb but we are hopeful we will reach the top.”

Diane Wood, community benefits director at Community Windpower, which operates the Aikengall Community Wind Farms in East Lothian, said: “The Scottish Seabird Centre is a fantastic facility that provides invaluable education on the environment and conservation.

“It provides children and families with a real-life experience of the wonders of nature around Scotland’s coast and when Community Windpower and BeGreen Dunbar were approached about supporting it through our Covid-19 crisis fund we didn’t hesitate to help.

“We hope our funding can help make a small difference to the Seabird Centre and everyone who benefits from it, and we look forward to visiting in the future.”

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