New microscopes granted by Manx Lottery Trust to MBRP

Fri, 18 Oct 2019

A wildlife conservation group have purchased a new set of microscopes and spotlights thanks to a grant of £2,500 from the Manx Lottery Trust.

The Manx Biological Recording Partnership, led jointly by Manx National Heritage, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government and the Manx Wildlife Trust, collates terrestrial and marine data from across the Island. 

The equipment will be held by Manx National Heritage for use by MBRP members for wildlife identification courses and training. Included is six microscopes, one with a camera, which can be linked via USB to a computer/ large screen, ideal for group teachings, four microscopes with a magnification of x80 so that small invertebrates such as spiders and beetles can be examined; plus one hand-held Dino-lite microscope for demonstrations.

Miss Laura McCoy, Curator of Natural History at Manx National Heritage, said: ‘The MBRP aims to encourage the public to learn to identify wildlife and make records of sightings. Based on the training courses and classroom visits we currently organise we estimate nearly 300 people every year, of all ages, will benefit directly – over 20 years that’s more than 5,000 people.

‘It is vital to have an understanding of the wild species that occur in our natural landscape because without that knowledge we cannot say what species are being lost with habitat degradation and climate change; and that’s a real worry. We are very grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust for the support to buy these robust microscopes specially designed for teaching. ’

To find out more about the MBRP visit: www.manxbiodiversity.org/MBRP.html

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