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Manx Wildlife Trust reserves mapped online for the first time

Close Sartfield's display of Orchids in the summer is a spectacular sight! ©Graham Makepeace-Warne

A recent collaboration between MWT and DEFA has seen an interactive map of all of the Manx Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves uploaded onto the publicly-available Island Environment mapping app!

A recent collaboration between Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) has seen an interactive map of all of the Manx Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves uploaded onto the publicly-available Island Environment mapping app.

Since its foundation in 1973, MWT has built a network of 25 Nature Reserves right across the Island, including in 13 of the Island’s 17 parishes.  Together, they cover 143.87 hectares (0.25% of the Island) and include many and varied priority habitats including sand dunes, heather moorland, garee grassland, orchid meadows, curragh, wooded glens and important urban areas for wildlife in the heart of Onchan & Port Erin.  Four MWT Reserves form a significant part of the Ballaugh Curragh Ramsar Wetland of global importance.  In addition, on behalf of Manx National Heritage, MWT also manage the Calf of Man for nature. 

Hosted by DEFA, Island Environment, shows an interactive map of the Isle of Man depicting areas protected and designated for nature conservation.  Areas depicted include National Nature Reserves, Marine Nature Reserves, Areas of Special Scientific Interest, Bird Sanctuaries, Registered Tree Areas and even individual Registered Trees. 

Further, designated Wildlife Sites have now also been included on the map.  Wildlife Sites are areas of special ecological or geological importance, which although not having statutory protection, are recognised by Government policy, including within the planning application system and the Isle of Man Strategic and Area Plans.  As of February 2022, there are 67 designated Wildlife Sites covering 3,038 hectares (2.15%) of the Island. 

Environment Policy 4 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 states that development will not be permitted which would adversely affect such areas, therefore it is vital that their locations and boundaries are publicly available.  Previously, such boundaries were only depicted in low-resolution images within the Area Plans.  Now they can be accessed from any internet-capable device, outlined on either a map or up-to-date satellite imagery. 

MWT are proud to manage some of the most important areas for nature in our Biosphere, which is reflected in the status of 5 of our Reserves being designated as Areas of Special Scientific Interest and 4 being of international importance. The addition of MWT Nature Reserves and designated Wildlife Sites to Island Environment is a significant step towards forming a Nature Recovery Network on the Isle of Man. Under the auspices of the UNESCO Biosphere, we are working with DEFA to launch a Nature Recovery Network which will identify and map all protected and important areas of nature on land and at sea, and work to ensure they are expanded, enhanced and better connected by 2030. At present, 10.8% of the Manx territorial sea, and 18.5% of our land is designated for nature. We are calling for these figures to grow to 30% by 2030. This update to Island Environment is a key first step in that process.
Leigh Morris, Chief Executive Officer
Manx Wildlife Trust

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