INHT (Islay Natural History Trust)
Planet: Protecting nature
We wish to ensure a full range of indoor and outdoor nature themed activities for people from Islay of all ages/backgrounds and that we are up-to-date with audiovisual and interactive material too.
Sign in or become a Co-op Member to support this cause
About this cause
We engage, educate, enthuse and motivate the public about nature and the environment. We gather information, displays, knowledge, exhibits in a location easily available to the community. We have a library, computers, microscopes, tanks with living creatures, a beehive. We have hands-on touch/feel tables and feature talks with partners such as the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust and RSPB. We have outdoor activities for all ages/abilities – rockpooling, seawood foraging, pond-dipping, walks, geology, scientific surveys on specific species and habitats like peatlands. We host events with schools and make the centre available for others: craft, arts, mother/toddlers. Our centre provides opportunities to meet, reducing isolation, improving mental health and promoting engagement with nature.
How this cause brings people in the community together
We combine benefits to mental health and wellbeing through reducing isolation with opportunities to get out in nature. We work with partners, especially schools. People learn about nature and the environment, take part in healthy outdoor activities like foraging, seaweed gathering, bushcraft, rockpooling, pond-dipping, walks, hebridean whale and dolphin watching, looking at rare species like fritillary butterflies, orchids, seagrass, bats, otters, and precious habitats like peat bogs. We provide indoor attractions such as beehives, sea and freshwater creatures, touch and feel tables, collections, information, library, computers and other events: talks, films and, with partners, arts, crafts, gaelic, folklore etc. We make the centre available to partners, e.g. mother and toddler group.