The Trust is pleased to confirm that its has secured a new Director, Jamie Roberts. Subject to successfully securing a work permit Jamie will arrive on the island, with his family, on the 9th August.

Jamie comes to the Trust from Buglife – the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, where as their Conservation Projects Manager he has been instrumental in raising their national and international profile, securing significant funding, developing and managing projects and strategic planning and much more. Before his departure from the UK Jamie will be representing the Trust at an international overseas territories conservation conference in the Cayman Islands and meeting with various donors, partners and advisors in the UK to gain exposure, insight and training in preparation for his work out here.

The two year appointment has been made possible with the provision of donor funding from the RSPB to support the developing sustainability of the Trust and matches grant aid received from the St Helena Government. We are very excited about Jamie's appointment and are looking forward to working with him and yourselves in furthering the conservation of St Helena's unique natural and built heritage resource.

‘St Helena is globally important for its biodiversity, but doesn’t always get the attention or resources it deserves. Its cultural heritage is also unique and in need of protection. The St Helena National Trust has a great opportunity to make a positive difference for the island, and this is an exciting time to be joining the team as its Director. Personally I am very happy to be moving to this beautiful island with my family, and look forward to taking an active part in local life. I will also spend time writing, improving my photography and hunting for the legendary St Helena Giant Earwig!’ - Jamie Roberts.

Our lastest newsletter is from Febuary 2009. It contains the following:

2009 SHNT and RSPB Wirebird Census

The Wirebird census for 2009 took place during the month of January. In this month, thirty one Wirebird sites were surveyed across the island. These sites were originally identified by Dr Neil McCullough and by repeating surveys in the same areas every year we can estimate population size and make comparative assessments of population trends...

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High Knoll Assessment

High Knoll Fort is a splendid 18th and 19th century Fortified Tower, Garrison Building and once retreat for a large part of the islands population in the event of threat from abroad or from within the island. It has loomed over many of the islands great historical moments of the last two hundred years and has played its part in some....

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Hostile Invasive Threat: Pheasant Tail Fern

Pheasant Tail (Nephrolepis exaltata) is potentially an extremely invasive plant species. Thick stands of it can be seen on the road-sides, in places it is so thick that nothing else can grow through it. You can see very good examples of what this fern is capable of when you go for a walk through the Plantation Forest or for a picnic near St Helena & the Cross Church...

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Wirebird mitigation project steps up a gear

The Wirebird Mitigation Project to overcome the impacts of the Access Project and to improve and expand grazing land for the St Helena, is now moving forward quickly.  Through funding from DFID, this project will improve over 210 acres of pasture and bring into grassland an additional 140 acres...

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An island of contrasts

As the RMS approached St Helena and the huge craggy volcanic outline of the island came into view, it was impossible to imagine the contrasts that awaited us, or the range of flora and fauna that we would experience during our three weeks’ Sabbatical on St Helena, working with the Invasive Species Project Officer Andrew Darlow...

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