Falklands : HRH The Duke of York Visits New Island
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 12.11.2002 (Article Archived on 26.11.2002)
In this comprehensive report by Ian Strange, the visit to New Island by the Duke of York is discussed in detail.
The visit by His Royal Highness the Duke of York to New Island and Official opening of the New Island South Conservation Trust's "Geoffrey C Hughes" Field Station
HRH had a lot to do while in the Falklands
Here, he walks pensively back to his helicopter
after visiting the Argentine Cemetery.
In perhaps not the most typical of New Island weather on the afternoon of Sunday 10 November 2002 the two properties of New Island, New Island North and New Island South hosted Prince Andrew. He first visited New Island North where Tony and Kim Chater showed him a part of their nature reserve and in particular a fur seal colony. He then visited the New Island South Reserve to see an albatross and rockhopper penguin colony and to open officially the Trust's field station.
The weather gave a rather damp and cold start on the exposed albatross and penguin colony for HRH and four of his perhaps more hardy staff. However once in the centrally heated field station and a remark from the Royal visitor of "any chance of a cup of tea" the conditions outside were quickly forgotten. Under a very informal atmosphere, with more appropriate cups of tea in the hands of his group, the Duke of York signed the new visitors book as a mark of the official opening of the "Geoffrey C Hughes Field Station" which is named after its benefactor.
He was shown around the building by Harald and Hedel Voss who played such a large part in its construction and was introduced to a number of the scientific programmes being run by the Trust.
For those readers who are perhaps not familiar with the New Island South Conservation Trust and its position in conservation work within the Falkland Islands the following is a brief introduction to its property and its work.
New Island South is one of the finest and unique wildlife reserves in the Falkland Islands. Under the protection of the New Island South Conservation Trust, a registered charitable organisation, the future of this reserve is assured in perpetuity.
The concept of demonstrating in a practical way methods of conservation designed to benefit the Falkland Islands’ unique environment commenced on New Island South in 1971. Everything we do is ultimately geared to the study and conservation of the environment, from our scientific projects, education, controlled tourism and management of the island. New Island is one of the most important island sites in the SW Atlantic with its diverse collection of wildlife. Projects on New Island are often linked to its past history of spoliation giving a unique opportunity to study man’s past influence on the environment. Today we demonstrate what changes are possible by protection and practical management.
New Island South with over a quarter of a century of wildlife study and conservation experience behind it, plays a leading role in the Falkland Islands’ environmental protection efforts. Although a relatively small independent operation, it is the only purpose designed site with established facilities for field studies in the Falkland Islands. Besides it value as an outdoor laboratory for the natural sciences, New Island’s history presents a fascinating picture of the Falklands Islands’ development through its natural resources. American whalers and sealers first landed there in the late 1700s. They named it "New" after their home ports of New England. Evidence of this past history remains and an important aspect of the New Island South Conservation Trust’s objectives is the restoration and conservation of buildings and artifacts from this early period.
New Island has 52 miles of coastline embracing some 10,000 acres. Although there are two separately run properties under different management, New Island North and New Island South, the island is effectively one complete wildlife refuge. Situated in the SW corner of the Falkland archipelago, in an area rich in marine resources and wildlife its value as a conservation area is enormous. This part of the archipelago also has several other smaller offshore islands either as private or official reserves, giving the area considerable importance as a protected area.
We are not a large operation, believing that our size allows us to concentrate on the direct and more practical applications of nature conservation. Studies may be as varied as the range of different nationalities encouraged to use this facility, but above all we encourage a more direct hands on-approach to studies.
Ian J.Strange
Originator, New Island South ConservationTrust
New Island
West Falkland
November 2002
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