Scottish Seabird Centre wins substantial funding
9800a6fd-fac7-4164-8de7-58f5f55910f0
The Firth of Forth's Scottish Seabird Centre, near Bass Rock, has secured Heritage Lottery Fund money to develop its ‘National Marine Centre’ project.
Conservation and education charity, the Scottish Seabird Centre, on the coast at North Berwick, East Lothian, opposite the huge Northern Gannet colony on Bass Rock, has been awarded development funding of £290,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to progress plans to create the ‘National Marine Centre’, it was announced today (8 October 2015). HLF has also given its initial support for a £3.5million bid for the project.
The ‘National Marine Centre’ is the working title for an innovative and exciting project to diversify the Scottish Seabird Centre, expanding the conservation and education work of the charity. The aim is to build on the charity’s existing activities and share more widely the importance, value and issues affecting Scotland’s unique and fascinating marine environment and wildlife.
The project will involve the extension and upgrade of the existing building to include a vital new education and interactive exhibition space. Some initial design work has been undertaken, but the Centre will now be conducting further research and developing plans in consultation with the local community, partners, members, visitors and funders.
The Scottish Seabird Centre opened in May 2000. It has won multiple awards for tourism, sustainability and its green credentials. It has led a range of high profile conservation projects and provides a well-used facility for both locals and visitors all-year-round, as well as supporting artists with commissions and displays.
Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “Over the last 15 years our staff, volunteers and trustees have worked hard to develop and deliver an award-winning visitor experience and education programmes that have informed and inspired people about seabirds. Now we look forward to building on this success by also providing enhanced conservation and education programmes about the amazing marine environment and wildlife all around Scotland.
“We recognise the importance of working at both local and national levels, and collaboration will be vital in taking the project forward. We will work with the local community as well as with organisations all over Scotland to enthuse people across the country to conserve and protect our precious marine wildlife and environment for future generations."
Conservation and education charity, the Scottish Seabird Centre, on the coast at North Berwick, East Lothian, opposite the huge Northern Gannet colony on Bass Rock, has been awarded development funding of £290,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to progress plans to create the ‘National Marine Centre’, it was announced today (8 October 2015). HLF has also given its initial support for a £3.5million bid for the project.
The ‘National Marine Centre’ is the working title for an innovative and exciting project to diversify the Scottish Seabird Centre, expanding the conservation and education work of the charity. The aim is to build on the charity’s existing activities and share more widely the importance, value and issues affecting Scotland’s unique and fascinating marine environment and wildlife.
The project will involve the extension and upgrade of the existing building to include a vital new education and interactive exhibition space. Some initial design work has been undertaken, but the Centre will now be conducting further research and developing plans in consultation with the local community, partners, members, visitors and funders.
 |
| An artist's impression of the newly funded National Marine Centre which will act as an upgrade to the famous Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick, East Lothian. |
The Scottish Seabird Centre opened in May 2000. It has won multiple awards for tourism, sustainability and its green credentials. It has led a range of high profile conservation projects and provides a well-used facility for both locals and visitors all-year-round, as well as supporting artists with commissions and displays.
Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “Over the last 15 years our staff, volunteers and trustees have worked hard to develop and deliver an award-winning visitor experience and education programmes that have informed and inspired people about seabirds. Now we look forward to building on this success by also providing enhanced conservation and education programmes about the amazing marine environment and wildlife all around Scotland.
“We recognise the importance of working at both local and national levels, and collaboration will be vital in taking the project forward. We will work with the local community as well as with organisations all over Scotland to enthuse people across the country to conserve and protect our precious marine wildlife and environment for future generations."
