A PROJECT to improve access to Brownsea Island has been given a £22,000 funding boost.

The ‘Wild Brownsea’ initiative, run by Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), has been launched to help visitors find it easier to explore the popular island in Poole Harbour.

Brownsea boasts a wealth of wildlife, including a rare colony of red squirrels.

The funding, totalling £22,260, has come from the Wytch Farm Landscape and Access Enhancement Fund, a fund stablished to enhance the landscape around the Wytch Farm oilfield, one of the largest offshore oilfields in Western Europe.

This fund is supported by Dorset County Council (DCC), the Dorset AONB, Natural England and Perenco UK.

Working closely with the National Trust and supported by DCC, the project will also facilitate visits for those with reduced mobility utilising a recently purchased ‘landing craft’.

Cllr Daryl Turner, DCC cabinet member for the natural and built environment, said: “This funding will be a great boost to sustaining Brownsea Island’s important cultural and historical heritage as well as creating an opportunity to encourage and inspire people who may not have visited before - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds - to make natural heritage a part of their lives.”

The bid for the funding, which will go towards an overall £180,111 of improvements, was made by DWT.

Brian Bleese, from the trust, said: “Contact with nature has enormous health and wellbeing benefits.

“Improved accessibility will mean that people of all backgrounds and abilities will be able to enjoy the island’s wildlife and landscape.”

A vital element of the project is ‘Explore Brownsea’ which aims to improve access for people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn about, enjoy and help conserve the island’s natural environment.

Improvements will include enhanced, fully accessible boardwalks and footpaths; updated signage to facilitate a high-quality visitor experience; improved management of visitor flows to reduce impact on wildlife; a fully accessible trail, a new visitor facility and new wildlife observatory.

Contact volunteer@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to find out how you can get involved.