#4- Brownsea (United Kingdom) : How to keep the balance between desirable tourism, which induces economic development, and its status as a biodiversity sanctuary island?

Once upon an island - Green tourism

If you are nature lover and sensitive to the conservation of biodiversity, Brownsea Island is the perfect place for an outdoor and adventurous experience. If you stay long enough on the Island, you may feel the special spirit that drives the islanders and visitors.

Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, in England. It has a unique status as the Island is owned by the National Trust, - a charity and membetship organistaion for heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northen Ireland.

Brownsea is reputed for its outstanding biodiversity. The whole island is a nature reserve punctuated by woodland and heath, hills, and with a wide variety of species. Brownsea is a nature reserve with a large number of protection status (Conservation area for heathlands, Protection area for birds).

It is also the birthplace of the scout movement.

Brownsea draws about 140,000 visitors per year, mainly between March and October. It is closed the rest of the year.

The challenge today for the island is to keep the balance between desirable tourism, which induces economic development, and its status as a biodiversity sanctuary island.

In order to discover Brownsea and to understand the challenges the Island is facing, I am hosting in this episode :

• Angela Cott, Brownsea general manager for the national Trust,
• Lyn Bourn, company secretary of BH Fish, a local fish production company
• Brian Whitlock, member and volunteer for the National Trust.

A podcast presented by Isabelle Han and Ingrid Blanchard produced by SMILO and FRAGÎLE PORQUEROLLES, with the support of the Anna Lindh Foundation cofinanced by the European Union, and Erasmus +.

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