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Find a project…
Get stuck in some slimy stuff with the year-round Big Seaweed Search and help monitor the biodiversity of seaweed along UK coasts, a key indicator of ocean health. Simply download the algae guide and entry forms and send your results to
bigseaweedsearch.org.
If tackling plastic pollution is your thing, you can join beach cleanups around the world to collect and record plastic particles with Great Nurdle hunting (nurdlehunt.org.uk); or help the University of Portsmouth collect data on pollution in its major survey of microplastics (microplasticsurvey.org); alternatively, find a coastal cleanup near you via the Marine Conservation Society’s database (mcsuk.org).
For keen divers and snorkelers alike, citizen science project Seasearch offers free training to help divers identify and record what they spot underwater, contributing to national efforts to track the UK’s marine biodiversity in seasearch.org.uk.
Seagrass meadows they themselves are biodiversity powerhouses and also emit tons of carbon; you can join the movement to help restore wild meadows across the UK with Seawildling Scotland, which welcomes volunteers to help plant and survey wild meadows in Loch Craignish (seawilding.org).
The Wild Oyster Project is trying to bring back the UK’s once huge oyster reefs and is inviting volunteers, school and family groups to visit its restoration sites in England, Scotland and Wales, where you can get involved to help protect the newly emerged reefs
(wild-oysters.org).
Keen rock players, check out the Rockpool Project, choose one of three exploration guides and record your finds at more than 70 UK coastal sites (therockpoolproject.co.uk).
Surfers Against Sewage has created Ocean School, aimed at young nature lovers, with a range of free resources, classes and activities to get kids engaged with the sea
(sas.org.uk).
Turn your coastal observations into citizen science by helping to watch seabirds with the British Ornithological Trust (bto.org), seals with the Dorset Wildlife Trust (seals.dorsetwildlifetrust.net), cuttlefish with the Cuttlefish Conservation Initiative (cuttlefishconservation.com), seahorses with the Seahorse Trust (theseahorsetrust.org), and even turtles with the Marine Conservation Society (mcsuk.org).
Where to visit…
With a recent injection of £11.6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Plymouth will soon be home to the UK’s first national marine park, focused on connecting people with nature, restoring native salt marsh and seagrass habitats and rehabilitation of coastal landmarks such as Plymouth’s art deco seafront (plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com). The project is still in its early stages, but for now you can visit your local National Aquarium, the UK’s largest charity aquarium, run by the Ocean Conversation Trust and focused on marine education (national-aquarium.co.uk).
Down in Devon, catch a wave or just enjoy the view at the UK’s first surf reserve created by Save the Waves, a not-for-profit organization working to protect places where wave ecosystems overlap with marine biodiversity hotspots (savethewaves.org).
Head to the sheltered waters of Portelet and Bouley Bay around the island of Jersey, home to rare cold-water corals and kelp forests, and follow snorkeling trails provided by the Blue Marine Foundation (bluemarinefoundation.com). Or check out the self-guided trails offered by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk).
A little further afield, this year the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival returns between 22nd and 29th June, with the Fringe Festival taking place throughout July, a celebration of coastal ecosystems with guided beach walks, wildlife surveys, exhibitions and boating, surfing and snorkeling tours (outerhebrideswildlifefestival.co.uk).
Head to the Norfolk coastal towns of Horsey and Winterton to see one of the largest gray seal colonies in the UK: thousands of baby seals are born here during cubing season from November to January, a spectacle you can watch from a safe distance on the surrounding dunes. The animals are protected by Friends of Horsey Seals, who can also arrange guided walks (friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk).
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