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If you love a place, protect it

UKAHT is committed to making Antarctica, its heritage and its stories accessible to everyone.

Eighty years in Antarctica have left their mark on this beloved site. Now, Port Lockroy urgently needs restoration to protect its future.

Please donate today.

We need to take action

 If you’ve ever fallen in love with a place, you’ll know how important it is to look after it.

For over 80 years, Port Lockroy has welcomed scientists, explorers and visitors from around the world to this tiny corner of Antarctica. Now, parts of buildings are feeling the strain of time and the changing climate – the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest-warming places on the planet.

We need to deliver the most significant conservation work here in three decades – repairing historic rooms, protecting scientific artefacts and making sure the site can withstand the challenges ahead.

Please join us in protecting one of the most unique places on the planet.

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How your donation will help

We’re seeing more frequent and intense precipitation, both as snow and rain. The historic buildings at Port Lockroy were never designed to withstand this. Meltwater is eroding foundations and damaging walls; the warmer, wetter conditions are causing rot and algae on timber; and internally, this is speeding up the deterioration of artefacts.

In short, the changing climate is not a distant threat; it’s a present-day challenge.

How your donation could protect Port Lockroy

What conservation plans do we have?

The project will involve carefully packing and relocating artefacts to a safe space while extensive structural works are completed, including the replacement and strengthening of historic floor timbers. The iconic boatshed will be painted and protected, wooden windows will be replaced, and areas of the historic roof will be re-felted. In addition, a climate change mitigation system will be installed to prevent water runoff from damaging the building’s exterior timbers.

What will this work do?

These works will help keep this unique site open as a source of inspiration and connection to Antarctica, while securing the immediate safety of Port Lockroy. They will also provide long-term protection against climate and environmental damage, ensuring the site can be preserved for future generations.