Nedbank Private Wealth, one of Manx Wildlife Trust’s Corporate Members, has kindly provided funding to enable MWT to purchase an underwater video camera with lights and some equipment for management of our nature reserves.

The much needed funding will help with both terrestrial and marine projects. The video camera will enable MWT to capture some of the amazing marine life in Manx waters.

Marine officer Lara Howe said, “People are much more aware of the big stuff in our waters, such as dolphins and basking sharks, but not many people are aware of the smaller creatures that support our larger ones. The video footage is hoped to showcase our amazing habitats and species that can’t be seen without a submarine or scuba gear.” The footage will be used to promote our marine wildlife through the Trust’s website and social media outlets. The ultimate aim is to produce a DVD highlighting the marine wildlife in Manx waters.

The additional funding went towards work on the Nature Reserves. Black plastic is being used to smother New Zealand Pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii), which is an invasive species at the Cooildarry reserve. The pygmyweed can out-compete our native species and is very difficult to eradicate. The black plastic, which will remain in place for several months, will cover the plants stopping it from photosynethesing. The remainder of the funding being spent on vital maintenance across our other Reserves.

Karl Kelly, chair of the sustainability forum at Nedbank Private Wealth said, “We are very happy to have provided Manx Wildlife Trust with funding for these much needed projects and we very much look forward to seeing the video footage captured with the new underwater camera. Nedbank Private Wealth also wishes Manx Wildlife Trust every success with their project in taming the invasive New Zealand Pygmyweed at Cooildarry reserve.”

Photo - Karl Kelly from Nedbank and Lara Howe.