Overview
The Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation (HAWO) is based in Argyll’s Knapdale Forest, an important area for biodiversity. They work with national organisations to monitor species and perform biodiversity restoration work, conserving the habitat for the future. They also provide sustainable tourism activities and educate local school children in wetland ecology.
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation (HAWO), based in Argyll’s Knapdale Forest, educates and inspires members of the public about the ecological significance and rich biodiversity of this unique area of Scotland.
In 2017 they set up the Argyll Beaver Centre, an off-grid, solar powered venue for wildlife displays, visitor information, an ecology-themed shop and a woodland wildlife hide. Alongside manning the centre up to five days a week, they run a busy programme of guided tours and events, the most popular of which is the weekly beaver walk. By facilitating these low-impact sustainable forms of wildlife tourism, they inspire people to better understand and care for their environment.
The income they receive from running the centre is used to provide ecology education and outdoor-learning activities for schools, nurseries, and local community groups of all ages throughout the wider region of Argyll and the Isles.
Aside from community engagement and education, HAWO’s other main aim is conservation. Beavers were only recently re-introduced to the area, and HAWO work closely with the Forestry Commission to monitor and survey their population. In Knapdale, they are the main voice locally in promoting and advocating for the species.
2024 will see HAWO spearhead a new project, carrying out further ecosystem improvement work through invasive species removal and, ultimately, water vole restoration. UK population of water voles has plummeted since the 1960s from around 8 million to less than 1 million. This is partly due to the accidental introduction of the non-native American Mink by the fur market in the 1930s.
By removing the increasing population of American Mink, they will protect a range of nationally rare and important species of ground-nesting birds, reduce predation pressure on the beaver population (kits can be targeted by mink) and create the conditions to return water voles. The £3,500 grant from John Good Group will go towards staff costs, materials and recruitment of volunteers for monitoring this project.
Being shortlisted is incredible. We are a small, high impact charity open to all voluntary sector leaders across South Yorkshire. Many of the charities we support are small or medium sized organisations, the smallest being a food bank and community larder operating from the founder’s own house.
Support for us means support for a wide range of diverse charities from across the region, resulting in a significant impact for a large number of communities and service users.
Martin Singer
