The Penzance-based company, which operates combined air and sea services to and from the Isles of Scilly, has enjoyed a long standing relationship with both Trusts.They decided to become an official Business Member of both schemes to highlight their support for wildlife conservation on both sides of the sea.
Jackie Hayman, Marketing Manager for Isles of Scilly Travel says, “We are absolutely delighted to be the first business to become part of both the schemes, and as such we are pleased to be supporting this worthwhile initiative. Isles of Scilly Travel provide regular wildlife trips on board the Scillonian III and also the chance to spot marine life from the air on-board our airline Skybus. Furthermore, we will be working over the coming year to look at other ways for our company to lend even more support for the good work that both Trusts do both in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly.”
The company offers enjoyable ways to get to the beautiful isles from the equally beautiful mainland, both rich in wildlife. In Scillythe temperate climate allows sub-tropical plants to bloom as well as an array of wonderful wildlife, and on travelling with Skybus you can experience a bird's eye view of the South West.
The seas around Scilly offer a home to a wonderfully diverse range of creatures, and visitors can also be treated to their ever popular guided wildlife watching trips on board the passengership the Scillonian lll, in association with the Trusts. On these special trips you have the chance to see puffins, harbour porpoises, common and bottle-nose dolphins, sun fish and sea birds, with the occasional glimpse of exotic visitors like minke whales and leather back turtles. Naturalist Paul Semmens is the marine guide on the Scillonian III, who has worked with the Trusts for more than 20 years. Wildlife watching trips are scheduled in for the 2011 season and discounts are offered for mentioning the Trusts when booking.
A growing number of tourism businesses are realising the importance of protecting the natural environment in both Cornwall and Scilly, and are joininb these schemes. The Trusts protect wildlife both on land and in our seas, and they see their links with local businesses as vital to enable them to continure their vital work.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust cares for 55 nature reserves all over the county; protecting, improving and creating habitats for wildlife which contributes greatly to Cornwall's character. With a membership of nearly 14,000 individual members and over 85 local businesses, the Trust has great supooirt from people living in Cornwall who recognise the importance of looking after their county's wealth of wildlife.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust's scheme was started this year, and already has four other Scilly-based Business Members, offering local businesses the chance to show their support for the Trust and wildlife in Scilly. The scheme invites businesses of all sizes to get invovled and join as Bronze, Silver or Gold members, through making an annual payment of either £50, £150 or £259 respectively.
Both Trusts see their schemes as a two-way partnership with local businesses, providing a selection of benefits, including providing wildlife information, promotion of the business to their membership, as well as ways to show their customers that they are committed to environmental issues such as use of the Trust’s logo and a framed certificate.
Serena Pettigrew-Jolly, Marketing and Fundraising Co-ordinator for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, says, “We are very happy to have the tremendous support from local businesses like Isles of Scilly Travel, who are passionate about making a difference to wildlife in Cornwall and Scilly.We have various opportunities for businesses to get involved, and I encourage any who want to support the important work that the Trust’s do to contact me to discover how they can do this.”
For more information on the Business Supporter’s schemes for Cornwall or The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trusts please contact Serena on 01872 273939 ext 205 or serena.pettigrewjolly@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk, and see how your business can get involved.
For information and booking online for Isles of Scilly Travel please see the website: www.ios-travel.co.uk or contact the Isles of Scilly Travel Centre on: 0845 710 5555.You can also sign up to their facebook page IOSTravel to keep up to date with events and wildlife sightings.
