The Wildlife Trust
For Lancashire, Manchester
and North Merseyside

Boost For Marine Conservation Project

The North West Wildlife Trusts have received a boost in the shape of an award from the P1 Marine Foundation to help set up a new marine project.

Shoresearch is a volunteer recording scheme to identify the animals, plants and habitats at coastal sites around Britain. Originally pioneered by Kent Wildlife Trust, it is now running successfully in several coastal counties and will shortly be arriving in the North West.

The £1,500 award was presented to Cheryl Nicholson, Marine Conservation Officer, and Rebecca Oliver, Trainee Marine Conservation and Community Engagement Officer, at the final P1 Powerboat Superstock Grand Prix event in Liverpool this month.

Rebecca Oliver said “It was great to be able to watch the races and talk to the pilots and fans of the sport; it seems we have a mutual passion for the marine environment and both parties want to see it receive the protection it deserves.

“Shoresearch is a simple data collection technique and anyone with an interest in the marine environment can get involved. Through these surveys, we can gain a better understanding of the marine wildlife on our shoreline, which can be used to help promote conservation. Over the long term the data will allow us to highlight any changes happening within the habitat due to changing environmental conditions.”

Sabrina Taseer, Projects and development manager for P1 Marine foundation said: “Selecting the winner of our P1 Marine Foundation award was a difficult decision to make as there are many worthwhile schemes in operation. We chose the Shoresearch Project as we feel it will deliver long term benefits to the marine environment, it involves local volunteers and there is the potential to improve the skills of these volunteers.”

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is holding the following taster sessions to give people a chance to see what Shoresearch is all about:

•        Saturday 8th October, 14:00, Half Moon Bay, Heysham (meet by Half Moon Bay cafe)

•        Sunday 9th October, 14.30, Ainsdale beach (meet by Lifeguard hut)

•        Monday 24th October, 14.30, Heysham (meet by St Peters Church)

•        Family friendly scavenger hunt - Tuesday 25th October, 14.30, Crosby Marine Park (meet in first car park)

If anyone is interested in getting involved in this surveying project and would like to receive training in Shoresearch please get in touch with Rebecca Oliver by contacting her at roliver@lancswt.org.uk or 0151 9203769.