Morgans Consult has been up at the beautiful South Stack Nature Reserve on the Isle of Anglesey, managing the removal, manufacture and installation of wayfinding and visitor engagement signage. The first of many projects with new client, RSPB.
We implemented a range of eco-friendly solutions that engage and educate visitors, while ensuring the ecology of the site is both enjoyed and protected.
Background
In 2024, Morgans Consult was successful in its response to an RSPB tender to manage the manufacture, install and renewal management of signage across the charity’s UK-wide network of nature reserves. This included the removal and recycling of their current sign types.
About RSPB
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. The charity brings people who love birds and other wildlife together, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world.
Did you know?
In 1889, Emily Williamson created the Society for the Protection of Birds with one core aim – combating the fashion for exotic bird feathers, which was driving some species towards extinction. Her all-women movement was born out of frustration that the male-only British Ornithologists Union was not acting on the issue.
In 1930 the society bought its first nature reserve, today it is responsible for 240 reserves across the UK.
Project Overview
We were successful in a competitive RSPB tender, and were appointed to support their ‘Reserve Signage Project’. This project aims to replace or overhaul signage on all 240 nature reserves using sustainable materials, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity to all visitors.
Signage plays a vital role in protecting the reserves, ensuring visitors are able to enjoy the spaces, without disrupting the natural integrity of the site. Signage is used to ensure visitors know where they can and can’t go, keeping the environment and visitors safe while educating them about the flora and fauna around them.
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What we did at South Stack Nature Reserve
We supplied a range of sign types, the majority of which were made from sustainably sourced British oak that supported aluminium information panels. Install methods and locations kept the local flora and fauna in mind, and the oak was chosen to weather, matching the surrounding environment over time.
Our survey team spent time at South Stack back in February, conducting a meticulous survey of the reserve, alongside the client, to gain an accurate understanding of how visitors used the site, which existing signage needed to be extracted and disposed of, new signage placements, and advising on most appropriate fixing methods.
As part of our agreement with RSPB, we managed the removal, transport and recycling of their old signage.
Our in-house team prepared artwork in line with RSPB’s extensive brand guidelines. We then went through a phase of meticulous colour testing before artwork was approved, printed and applied the various substrates.
We sourced and cut the oak in our workshop, constructed each sign item before batch delivering to the storage facility on Anglesey. Our install team spent a week on site removing existing signage and installing each item to the strict specifications of the client.
With install being carried out during July and August, a busy period for the nature reserve, our team needed to be mindful of the movement of traffic and visitor safety. They put plans in place to mitigate any disruptions.
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Signage types included:
- Threshold monoliths
- British, responsibly sourced oak frameworks
- Aluminium interpretation signage
- Aluminium waymarking signage (on oak posts)
- Wall mounted wayfinding maps
- Internal aluminium interpretation and wayfinding
- Parking management signage
- Window vinyl
What next?
With works at South Stack now complete, we’re busy working on a larger RSPB project at Arne Nature Reserve in Dorset.
