‘Enjoy Wild Orkney’ draws to a close

Partners from across Orkney are gathering this evening to mark the conclusion of RSPB Scotland’s three-year Enjoy Wild Orkney project.

The £700,000 project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the RSPB, has delivered a wide range of activities and facilities to help people make the most of Orkney’s wealth of wildlife.

Julian Branscombe, project manager for Enjoy Wild Orkney, said, “The project was set up to help people enjoy the experiences that nature offers us, whether it’s the thrill of a raucous cliff-side seabird colony in spring or the magic of a grey seal pupping beach in November.”

“I hope we’ve also raised awareness of how incredibly rich Orkney’s natural heritage is – the county is home to some of the rarest wildlife in the UK and even the world. The future of these species is in our hands.”

The project, launched in 2012, formally ended in March this year. Highlights include two Orkney Nature Festivals, support for the Sanday sealcam, and the Eddie Balfour hen harrier hide, which was officially opened last week.