Coquet Island
From Dr James Robinson
Written by: Dr James Robinson
Published: 4th November 2024
Topic: Coquet Island
The RSPB's mission is to save species. Species that are under intolerable pressure and suffering declines. Saving nature takes everyone – people from all communities and all backgrounds.
Dr James Robinson is the RSPB’s Chief Operating Officer. He's responsible for running all the RSPB's operations across the UK as well as the People team. His role also oversees the RSPB's important work on equity, diversity and inclusion. Here he responds to recent unfounded reports in the media about the RSPB's work on Coquet Island in Northumberland and the current and former staff there.
James says that the RSPB's mission is "to unite to save nature. Our vision is to be an inclusive, diverse, and equitable organisation. This cannot be achieved without all people and all communities and a key part of this is challenging racism wherever it occurs".
The RSPB has thorough, fair and legal processes and procedures that are followed when dealing with staff issues. The organisation takes pride in being committed to ensuring all employees and volunteers are treated fairly and reasonably.
No comments will be made about previous staff members. However, James Robinson said: "I strongly want to put on record my support of current member of staff, Dr Ibrahim Alfarwi, who is referred to in the news articles. We are disturbed and angry at the divisive nature of some of the media coverage. It goes against everything we stand for as an organisation. We do not tolerate the abuse of our staff and are supporting them at this difficult time."
He added: "Like nature, our survival depends on diversity. We recognise that everyone is individual and different and value what that difference brings to the RSPB."
"We stand by our colleague in the face of, frankly, some of the most, vile racist commentary in online articles that I have had the misfortune to read in my career."
This member of RSPB staff has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a full and thorough investigation.
The RSPB is exploring legal options and continues to stand by Dr Alfarwi and provide the support needed. He agreed to this article being published.
Coquet Island is one of the last remaining strongholds for the rare, red-listed Roseate Tern, among a variety of other threatened seabirds such as Puffins and Arctic Terns.
Dr Robinson completed his PhD work there studying tern ecology and is aware of the operational challenges the team faces day-in-day-out. He said: "I know what dedication it takes from our staff and volunteers to turn around the fortunes of the incredible birds that call the island home. They manage and protect the colony to make it as successful as possible."
The RSPB has absolute confidence in the new team on Coquet. The island is the largest stronghold for rare Roseate Terns in the whole of the UK. And despite the effects of avian influenza, there is a thriving breeding colony, which has achieved excellent breeding results.
The current team, and the new volunteers who have been welcomed over the past 18 months, have done, and continue to do, an amazing job. They have the RSPB's full support.
The RSPB didn't plan, or want to write this article, but standing up for employees really matters. James saud; "It’s personally deeply upsetting that a place I know, and love so very much has also become a target in the culture wars."
He continued: "But testament to the dedication and professionalism of the team we have, we’ll keep proving the critics wrong by focusing on delivering what we do day in day out: world class conservation, bringing species back from the brink."
Aerial image of RSPB Coquet Island Nature Reserve in Northumberland by Nick Rodd (rspb-images.com)