Planet PK

Wildlife / Natural Heritage / Sustainability / Wellbeing

Planet PK is our ongoing environmental programme at PK Porthcurno, formally recognising our duty of care as residents and landowners within the Valley, which is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Planet PK embeds green values within the charity’s future programming, engagement, and business plans to ensure that environmental concerns are central to every decision we make.

Photo: Maeve Cushla

Award Winners

Planet PK has twice been national winners of the Association for Cultural Enterprises Association Green Award. In 2022 we won for our Plastic Free Community work and Lights Out for Darker Skies exhibition. In 2020 we were celebrated for our work around wildflower planting, sustainable sourcing in the shop and café, installation of renewable energy, beekeeping, and habitat and wildlife protection on our site. Planet PK also won in 2020 at the Cornwall Heritage Awards, organised by the Cornwall Museum Partnership, and sponsored by Tevi, who acknowledged our ‘Contribution to the Environment and Circular Economy’ here at PK Porthcurno.

Mission

Everyone loves Porthcurno, from locals and tourists to film and TV producers, and it is not hard to see why! However, with such popularity comes a strain on the environment and infrastructure of what is not only a breath-taking beach, but a valley steeped in natural and cultural heritage. PK Porthcurno works very closely with the local National Trust on land management and endeavours to work with our neighbours, partners, local community, and visitors alike to ensure Porthcurno is enjoyed in the most sustainable way possible with wildlife and habitat protection placed at greatest importance.

Photo: Ellie Smart

Follow Planet PK on Instagram

Follow us on our Instagram channel where we celebrate the wildlife and natural history of Porthcurno Valley with stunning images from local and international photographers and promote environmental protection and sustainable tourism as well as nature for health and wellbeing.

Read our Planet PK Young Curator’s Blog

Our Planet PK blog starts with photographer Maeve Cushla (@rainonlens_) who will be documenting her experiences of the nature within Porthcurno Valley.

Moth Page headerPK Stories

Moths & Bats

Recently we have been looking at the relationship between bats and their main prey moths and how the two have evolved over millions of years.

PK Stories

Million Mile May

Young Curator, Maeve shares how Planet PK took part in SAS's Million Mile May and the mess left at Porthcurno car park over the May half-term

Image of the MoonPK Stories

Bat Blog

PK Porthcurno's Young Curator, Maeve Cushla, explores Bats - their habitats, how the communicate and the threats they face.

Image of mycelium mushroom within some leavesPK Stories

The Wood-Wide Web

PK Porthcurno's Young Curator, Maeve Cushla, shares the important role of Fungi Mycelium and its complex network of brain-like roots.

PK Stories

Photographing Fungi

PK Porthcurno's Young Curator, Maeve Cushla, shares her experience and tips for photographing the fascinating world of Fungi!

Imporved mushroomsPK Stories

Autumn Fungi

Young Curator Maeve Cushla diverts our attention away from the sea and beach of Porthcurno and deep into the woodland that surrounds the valley.

PK Stories

Interview with Caleb Giddens

Planet PK talks to local ocean and lifestyle photographer Caleb Giddens and discuss the highs and lows of working in a field impacted by the environment and increased tourism.

PK Stories

Dark Sky – Young Curator Blog

In our latest Planet PK blog, we discuss our work with Penwith Landscape Partnership, Cornwall AONB and Cornwall Council in supporting the West Penwith application aiming to become an International Dark Sky Park.

PK Stories

Wave Action – Young Curator Blog

In our latest Planet PK blog, we look at the recent swell in Cornwall, and the potentially devastating effect these swells can have on our coastal landscape and coastal communities.

Plastic beach wastePK Stories

Protecting our coasts – Young Curator Blog

In the fifth of our Planet PK blogs, Young Curator, Maeve Cushla, looks at how we can protect our coasts from pollution through careful consideration of what we purchase, take to, and safely remove from a day at the beach.

PK Stories

Kids in Museums – Young Curator Blog

As the museum is closed for lockdown 2, Maeve Cushla, our Young Curator, spent this week photographing and researching the local songbirds around Porthcurno valley for the Kids in Museums takeover day. 

Header image credit: Ellie Smart

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