st helena national trust vision - ukotcf · protecting the world heritage of a small island saint...

Protecting the worldheritage of a small island

SAINT HELENA

The St Helena National Trust strategic vision

NJAMESTOWN

HIGH KNOLL FORT

BANKS BATTERY

RUPERT’S VALLEY

LONGWOOD HOUSE

NAPOLEON’S TOMB

LEMON VALLEY

SAINT HELENA

PLANTATION HOUSE

DEADWOOD PLAIN

PROSPEROUS BAYLEVELWOOD

PROSPEROUS BAY PLAIN

DIANA’S PEAK (820m)

SANDY BAY

MAN AND HORSE

THE BRIARSHALF TREE HOLLOW

LADDER HILL

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ABOUT ST HELENA

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1 St Helena: Protecting the world heritage of a small island

CONTENTS About St Helena 2Why is St Helena special? 3Living history 5Restoring nature 9Improving tourism 13Investing in people 15Reconnecting St Helena to the world 17The Trust and its partners 18How you can help 18

Saint Helena is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean,over 1,200 miles from the nearest landmass. Itcovers 47 square miles and can only be reached bysea. St Helena has been part of Britain since 1659and today is one of the UK Overseas Territories.

St Helena has many world class historic and naturalattractions, but without concerted action many ofthese will be lost.

The St Helena National Trust is the island’s onlyconservation charity and needs your support toensure a vibrant future for St Helena.

Imagine one of the remotestinhabited places on earth…

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Shaped by volcanic activity 14 million years ago, St Helena is an island of staggering natural beauty,including cloud forest, barren desert, sculptedvolcanic rocks, lush woodland and breathtakingcoastal scenery. The geographical isolation of theisland has helped to evolve a unique flora andfauna, including over 400 plants and invertebratesthat exist nowhere else on Earth.

Once a vital staging post to India and the BritishEmpire, by the late 18th century St Helena wasperhaps the most impregnable place in the world.Today its historic attractions echo its former globalimportance: a vast network of fortifications fromthe heyday of the British Empire; the house wherethe Emperor Napoleon lived out his exile; a sitewhere tens of thousands of African slaves wereliberated; a wonderfully preserved Georgiantrading town and plantation houses.

WHY IS ST HELENA SPECIAL? St Helena is a treasure trove of world heritage. Its 47 square milesboast an extraordinary diversity of built and natural attractions

A long sea journey is still the only way to reach St Helena, as it has been for the past 500 years.Towering cliffs, a steep-sided valley with a fortifiedsettlement nestling in its base – this is the samespectacular vista that has greeted visitors from theheyday of the great maritime empires to thepresent day. New plans for an airport provideopportunities to open up St Helena and itsattractions to the world.

St Helena has a distinctive identity and culture –including architecture and customs – that havebeen shaped by five centuries at the crossroads ofthe South Atlantic.

The St Helena National Trust is responsible forprotecting the island’s built, natural and culturalheritage. This strategic vision outlines how we willachieve our aims. With your support we can help toensure that St Helena remains truly special.

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St Helena is ringed by precipitous cliffs that give nohint of the lush, forested mountain interior.

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Jacob’s Ladder

If I knew any one who lived in St Helena I would supplicate him tosend me home a cask or two ofearth from the island, and from anydried-up pond, and thus, as sure asI'm a wriggler, I should receive amultitude of lost plantsCharles Darwin

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LIVING HISTORY Preserving St Helena’s world-class built heritage

St Helena was discovered by the Portuguese in1502. For the past 350 years it has been in British hands.

A vital stepping stone to the British Empire, theheyday of the island saw a thousand ships a yearcalling, bringing explorers such as Captain Cook,Charles Darwin and Edmund Halley. In 1815 theNorthumberland arrived with St Helena’s mostfamous resident, the Emperor Napoleon. His six-year exile on the island was a landmark episodein world history. St Helena also played asignificant role in the abolition of slavery,liberating over 25,000 slaves and putting theircaptors on trial.

Today there are reminders of St Helena’sincredible history wherever you look. A string ofimpressive cliff top fortifications survive along itsrugged coastline, cannons still in place.Napoleon’s house has been restored to appear asit was on the day he died. James Bay is full ofhistoric wrecks, many of which were bearing richcargoes from the Orient.

Archaeological digs have recently maderemarkable discoveries at the Rupert’s Valleyslave site, shedding new light on thisextraordinary episode in world history.

The St Helena National Trust has a key role in theprotection and management of the island’s built

heritage. We believe that St Helena’s uniquelypreserved built heritage will form the basis ofthe island’s tourism-based economic future. Yetthe decades of neglect that have helped topreserve this fragile history are now taking theirtoll and many of the island’s key heritagetourism sites are on the verge of collapse. Theincrease in development pressure that willaccompany the much-needed regeneration ofthe island will bring further challenges if thisprecious asset is to be preserved.

Our vision is to:

1. Reopen High Knoll fort – The island’s mostimpressive historic monument has beenclosed due to collapsed walls.

2. Rejuvenate Lemon Valley – This historicslave site needs to be restored and mademore accessible.

3. Restore Bertrand’s Cottage – ThisNapoleonic house has huge potential as anew visitor attraction.

4. Take responsibility for flagship sites –Many of the island’s neglected heritagetourism sites need investment andmanagement plans.

Banks Battery

Napoleon's House at Longwood

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NATIONAL TRUSTIN ACTION HIGHKNOLL FORT

Perched on a hillside overlooking Jamestown,High Knoll fort is one of St Helena’s mostspectacular historic sites. Begun in 1798, the fortnever actually saw military action, but it remainsan iconic memorial to the strategic importanceof the island to the British Empire.

Over the years the fort has fallen into disrepair:two sections of wall collapsed, with othersections deemed unsafe. The fort was closed tothe public in 2008.

The Trust is now working with the St HelenaGovernment to reopen the fort. The first phasehas fenced off the most dangerous sections andinstalled safety signage. We have also prepareda Conservation Management Plan for the site.

In the longer term the full restoration of the fortwalls needs to be undertaken, an ambitiousproject which could take up to a decade –possibly using locally trained apprentices. TheTrust is keen to develop income-generatingstreams, such as craft workshops and othervisitor facilities, to fund the ongoingmaintenance of High Knoll fort.

After the abolition of the slave trade within theBritish Empire in 1807, the trade continuedelsewhere and St Helena was at the forefrontof attempts to extinguish it. In 1840 a Vice-Admiralty court was established on the island,judging cases of slave vessels captured by the Royal Navy on their way from Africa to the Americas.

Over 25,000 slaves were liberated at twoAfrican Slave Depots on St Helena, at Rupert’sand Lemon Valley. Some settled on the island,but the majority were sent to new lives in theCaribbean. Tragically an estimated 10,000slaves did not survive the horrific conditions of the slave trade and were laid to rest on St Helena.

Today most of the Lemon Valley slave buildingsare still standing, although in a poor state ofrepair. A tranquil place that can only be reachedby boat, Lemon Valley also provides a much-loved recreational resource for camping and fishing.

The St Helena National Trust, in partnershipwith the local Development Agency, hasambitious plans to rejuvenate this historiclandscape, through restoring the Lemon Valleyslave buildings and providing new visitorfacilities, including an improved landing place.

NATIONAL TRUST IN ACTION LEMON VALLEY

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DARWIN ON ST HELENACharles Darwin visited the island in July 1836 and was deeply influenced by itsunique evolutionary conditions, pronouncing that “St Helena versus the world wouldperhaps be the first division of a phytogeographical system.”

To commemorate his visit a new St Helena National Trust project, funded by theUK’s Darwin Initiative, will restore native habitats and train up a new generation ofyoung conservationists.

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RESTORING NATURE Helping St Helena’s globally unique flora and fauna to thrive again

St Helena is a treasure trove of some of theworld’s rarest biodiversity, with over 400 specieswhich occur nowhere else on the planet, includingthe Wirebird, giant tree daisies and desert-dwelling, nocturnal spiders. The seas around theisland are also home to 10 species of endemic fish.

At the time of its discovery St Helena was apristine wilderness, with six endemic land birds,significant seabird colonies and extensive forestsof endemic plants. Within a century much of it hadbeen destroyed by settlers and wild goats.

Today a large proportion of the island’s flora andfauna is on the brink of extinction, surviving inisolated fragments. This unique biodiversity isfacing significant threats, including rapidencroachment by invasive species and soil erosion.

The past three decades have been marked byambitious efforts to conserve the remainingendemic species and to restore tracts of native

forest. Exciting plant and seabird discoverieshave been made. The St Helena National Trusthas played a major role, with achievementsincluding establishing 35 hectares of Gumwoodforest, and helping to increase endangeredWirebird numbers by 50%. With increasedfunding and support we can achieve much more,both on land and at sea.

Our vision is to:

1. Conserve threatened species – Manycritically endangered plants are on the brink ofextinction and require intensive action.

2. Restore native habitats – A new plantnursery will help to mass produce endemicsto recreate diverse wild habitats.

3. Control invasive species – Halt the spread ofpheasant tail fern and other dangerousinvasives that threaten native biodiversity.

4. Secure Wirebird numbers – The populationwill increase if habitats are properly managedand threats from predators reduced.

Collecting seed from an endemic Scrubwood

Golden sail spider

St Helena EbonySt Helena Wirebird

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NATIONAL TRUST IN ACTIONMILLENNIUM FOREST

The eastern half of St Helena was oncecovered with a huge swathe of endemicforest known as the Great Forest. However bythe 1700s most of the trees had been felledby settlers and the East India Company wasattempting unsuccessfully to erect a hugewall around what remained. By the 20thcentury only a smattering of endemicGumwood trees survived.

In 2000 the Millennium Forest initiative waslaunched, with the ambitious goal ofrecreating up to 250 hectares of native foreston degraded wasteland. The St HelenaNational Trust took responsibility for the Forest

in 2002 and to date has co-ordinated theplanting of 10,000 Gumwood trees and otherendemic plants, covering 35 hectares ofbarren eroded ground. Already the Gumwoodsare starting to regenerate naturally, and theTrust is continuing to expand the diversity ofthe forest with other St Helena endemics.

The Millennium Forest is a genuine communityinitiative, and over the years hundreds ofislanders have planted trees. Visitors andoverseas supporters are also able to sponsor atree, thereby leaving a personal legacy to thisinspiring story of ecological recovery.

The Wirebird – St Helena’s national bird – isthe last survivor of the island’s six endemicland birds and is one of the world’s mostendangered bird species.

In 2006, Wirebird numbers were found tohave slumped to about 210, a dramatic dropfrom the previous population level of around450 birds in 2001. The species appeared to besliding inexorably towards extinction, withdeteriorating habitats and predators the main threats.

Proposals for a new airport at Prosperous BayPlain, a key site for Wirebirds, led to theinitiation in 2006 of a recovery project fundedby the UK Department for InternationalDevelopment (DFID). Through improvingpastureland, the Wirebird’s preferred habitat,the project aimed to provide benefits both tobiodiversity and farmers’ livelihoods.

The Wirebird mitigation project – delivered bythe RSPB, the local Agriculture & NaturalResources Department and the St HelenaNational Trust – has improved over 150hectares of habitat. The Wirebird populationhas now increased to almost 400 birds,which the Trust monitors through an annualcount. Farmers are also reaping the benefits,with improved grazing for livestock and new fencing.

The St Helena National Trust is currentlyworking with the RSPB to secure funding fora new project to control Wirebird predatorssuch as rats and feral cats.

NATIONAL TRUST IN ACTIONWIREBIRD RECOVERY

SAVING THE WORLD’S RAREST TREEThe National Trust has been working with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the localConservation Section to rescue the endemic Bastard Gumwood tree, until recentlythe world’s rarest tree with only one known specimen. An intensive recoveryprogramme has discovered a second wild tree and has successfully reintroducedover 100 young plants back into the wild.

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The Heart Shaped Waterfall is one of St Helena’smost picturesque and iconic natural attractions,cascading one hundred metres down a perfectlyheart-shaped cliff.

Although close to the capital Jamestown, thewaterfall is difficult to get to. The old path isovergrown with invasive scrub, and in places it issteep enough to deter all but the mostadventurous. Even Napoleon, who resided lessthan half a mile away at the Briars, never reached it.

The St Helena National Trust is now opening upaccess to the waterfall by creating a new footpathand installing six bridges. The new trail will includeviewpoints, walkways and interpretation boards.Endemic plant species – including the rare BastardGumwood – have already been planted so thatvisitors will one day be able to experience how thearea might have looked to early settlers.

The Trust was generously donated the land up to the waterfall by the Honorary French Consul in 2007.

NATIONAL TRUST INACTION HEART SHAPEDWATERFALL

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Sustainable tourism, based on St Helena’sextraordinary built and natural heritage, includingits pristine oceans, is crucial to the island’s futureprosperity.

The island of St Helena boasts world heritage that would be the envy of many nation states. St Helena should be a thriving tourist destination,drawing tens of thousands of visitors a year. Yetthe island’s very remoteness and inaccessibilityhave ensured that its attractions remain relativelyunknown and unvisited.

With news of an airport, there is a greatopportunity for St Helena to develop high end, low impact tourism and thereby revive its flagging fortunes.

While increased tourism could pose threats to thefragile environment of the island, managedsensitively this could give a much-neededeconomic driver to heritage and natural protection

IMPROVING TOURISM Supporting a sustainable tourism-basedeconomic future for St Helena

on St Helena. Successful models for distinctiveheritage tourism include colonial Williamsburg inthe USA and Robben Island in South Africa.

The St Helena National Trust will lead by examplein developing high quality, sustainable visitorattractions on St Helena.

Our vision is to:

1. Expand eco-tourism – Provide visitors with amemorable outdoors experience, through naturetours and walking holidays.

2. Improve tourism sites – Bring existing heritagetourism sites alive with interpretation andevents to benefit islanders and visitors.

3. Develop ‘voluntourism’ – Provide volunteerswith rewarding activities and the support theyneed to ensure a satisfying experience.

4. Create new attractions – Develop new visitordestinations based on St Helena’s built andnatural heritage.

St Helena: Protecting the world heritage of a small island

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Retaining traditional skills and crafts will bevital to the future of St Helena. This isespecially true in heritage construction, wherehistoric buildings need to be restored andmaintained using traditional techniques.

In late 2009 the St Helena National Trust, inpartnership with the local DevelopmentAgency and training provider AVES, organisedthe first ever Heritage Construction Skillstraining course. Over 50 people receivedtraining from internationally renownedcraftsmen Henry Rumbold MBE and JeffOrton, in skills such as stone masonry,cobbling and plasterwork. The course gavetrainees an immediate opportunity to gethands-on experience starting the restorationof two historic sites in Jamestown, the CastleCourtyard and Essex House.

One of the young trainees was so impressivethat the Trust helped him to secure a place onthe prestigious Prince of Wales Building CraftsApprenticeship in the UK. On his return he willhelp to train others in traditional skills,meaning that fewer training experts will needto be brought in from overseas.

The St Helena National Trust is keen toestablish a not-for-profit heritage constructioncompany, in order to train up a newgeneration of craftsmen and provide specialistrestoration and maintenance services.

NATIONAL TRUST INACTION HERITAGECONSTRUCTIONTRAINING

Nursery training

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St Helena’s distinctive identity and culture hasbeen shaped by five centuries at the crossroads ofthe South Atlantic, with influences ranging from theFar East and Africa to Europe and the Americas.

The island’s unique way of life, customs andarchitecture are among its strongest assets. To reap the benefits of tourism St Helena mustvalue and preserve this cultural heritage.

The St Helena National Trust is committed tobuilding local capacity in traditional crafts and skills– everything from restoring historic buildings andmanaging landscapes to producing local crafts.Keeping skills on the island is an increasingchallenge that can only be addressed by highquality vocational training and improvedemployment prospects. The Trust recognises thatyoung people hold the key to the future of StHelena, and we will work closely with schools to

INVESTING IN PEOPLE Enhancing St Helena’s traditional skills asa basis for growth

enthuse and engage them in keeping alive theisland’s traditions and skills. There is also anexciting opportunity for St Helena to become aregional centre of excellence, exporting skills toother Overseas Territories.

Our vision is to:

1. Deliver high quality training – Including newapprenticeship schemes for the built and naturalenvironment.

2. Create economic opportunities – Establish anew heritage construction company to restoreheritage tourism sites.

3. Support local organisations – Our memberorganisations play a vital role in maintaining localdiversity and quality of life.

4. Inspire young people – Give young peoplehands-on experience of their unique built,natural and cultural heritage.

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St Helena is today synonymous with the conceptof remoteness and isolation, most famously as theplace of exile for Napoleon. Yet for several hundredyears it was a thriving maritime hub, on an ocean-going motorway shaping world history.

For St Helena to thrive again it must reconnectitself to the outside world, whilst retaining thosespecial attributes that make it unique. Its historicalsignificance to Europe, the Far East and theAmericas provide opportunities to buildpartnerships with organisations and funders acrossthe globe. Often it is simply a matter of lettingpeople know we’re here.

St Helena needs to attract overseas expertise tobolster home-grown conservation effort. This willrequire providing improved facilities for scientists,researchers and volunteers, who can contributeimmeasurably to its preservation.

RECONNECTING ST HELENATO THE WORLD Increasing awareness of St Helena’s built and naturalassets and working in partnership to conserve them

The St Helena National Trust has a successful trackrecord of working closely with internationalorganisations such as the RSPB and Royal BotanicGardens Kew. We will work to strengthen theserelationships and to develop new ones to ensure asustainable future for the island.

Our vision is to:

1. Establish new links – With international fundersand supporters.

2. Create lasting partnerships – Build uponexisting collaborations to conserve the island’sbuilt and natural heritage.

3. Promote St Helena – The world heritage of theisland needs to be widely communicated if it isto be valued and preserved.

4. Grow our membership – The Trust needsgreater support both at home and overseas if itis to achieve its conservation objectives.

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Established in 2002, the St Helena National Trustis responsible for the protection, enhancementand promotion of St Helena’s unique built, naturaland cultural heritage. With eight members of staffand 10 volunteers the Trust is working to conservethreatened endemic species and to restore thenative habitats of St Helena. We also raiseawareness and provide training and education inpractical conservation.

The St Helena National Trust works closely with anumber of organisations, including:• RSPB• Royal Botanic Gardens Kew• Department for International Development

(DFID)• St Helena Government• St Helena Development Agency• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)• Department for Environment Food and Rural

Affairs (Defra)

THE ST HELENA NATIONALTRUST AND ITS PARTNERS

• UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum• Buglife

The Trust also benefits from the financial support ofthe Overseas Territories Environment Programme(OTEP), the Flagship Species Fund and the DarwinInitiative.

HOW YOU CAN HELPThe St Helena National Trust relies upon the help ofits funders and supporters. If you want to supportthe work of the Trust you can:• Become a member. • Become a volunteer – both in mainland UK and on

St Helena.• Sponsor a Gumwood tree – an ideal gift for the

person that has everything.

For more information on the above and aboutLegacies and Donations please contact us (details on back cover).

The remote island of Saint Helena is a treasure trove of worldheritage, including hundreds of historic monuments and over

400 species which occur nowhere else on the planet.

Yet today this extraordinary heritage is threatened by neglect and lack of funding.

The St Helena National Trust needs your support to give thisisland and its heritage a future.

For more information about how to support the St Helena National Trust, please contact us at:

St Helena National TrustBroadway House

JamestownSt Helena Island STHL 1ZZ

South Atlantic [email protected]

00 290 2190

www.nationaltrust.org.sh

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the RSPB for the development

and publication of this strategy document.

st helena national trust vision - ukotcf · protecting the world heritage of a small island saint...

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