Please follow the links below for information on the marine communities fund case studies from 2007.
UK-Wide
Campaign for Clean Seas 2007-08
Marine Conservation Society
The Crown Estate has previously funded this project for seven years and funding this year will concentrate on Adopt-a-Beach and Beachwatch. This operates a network of local communities who survey and clean litter from beaches and this year’s campaign will concentrate on developing resources linked to the national curriculum. The results are used as an indicator for progress on coastal zone management and environmental quality, at national level to raise awareness of the impacts and sources of litter pollution, and to help target the problem at source through liaison with industry and government.
England
Marine Environment Education Initiative
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (NMM)
The Marine Environment Education Initiative engages teachers, educators, students and industry in developing museum and classroom-based resources to teach and learn about marine environmental issues, and their social, economic and political impacts. A series of study days gives key stage 3 students the opportunity to explore our links with the sea and its many important resources. The day culminates with a panel discussion between students and visiting industry professionals on topical issues such as marine renewable energy and sustainable development. The programme has been able to develop good links with local schools over the last two years. As it moves into its third year of funding it aims to capitalise on this by initiating video links with schools all over the UK to further the citizenship and responsibility theme of the previous two years.
Blakeney National Nature Reserve – Marine Estate Awareness Project
The National Trust
High quality interpretation boards will be produced at four key points within Blakeney NNR, accompanied by a harbour safety leaflet for water based recreational activities. The area is part of the Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC, SPA, Ramsar, SSSI, AONB, and a nominated World Heritage Site. The emphasis is on delivering positive conservation, access and safety messages and the boards focus on access issues and hazards, nature conservation, water safety, harbour use, information on boat and dinghy parking, tide times, and archaeology within marine environment.
Dover Sea Sports Development Centre, Dover Harbour
Dover Sea Sports Development Trust
This project aims to build a centre of excellence for training and education in maritime skills (marine engineering, port development and offshore renewables) and to promote the development of these skills. The site is located on the beach in the harbour and is the only building on the beach. Links will be strengthened with further and higher educational institutions and it aims to enhance the national and international sporting status of the harbour. There is also an element of sustainable design to the new building.
Fishing for Litter South West England
KIMO (association of coastal local authorities aiming to eliminate pollution)
Participating vessels collect marine litter that accumulates in their nets as part of their normal fishing activity which is then deposited on the quayside where participating harbours monitor the waste before moving it to a dedicated skip for disposal. Originally started in Scottish harbours, this project focuses on Newlyn, Plymouth, Brixham and Bideford. Project has good links with international community; the results of the monitoring will be fed into OSPAR Marine Litter Monitoring Programme. Project operates in partnership with EA, NE, SWRDA and Seafood Cornwall.
Flamborough Head Codes of Conduct
East Riding of Yorkshire County Council
Voluntary Codes of Conduct leaflet (20,000 copies) will be produced aimed at encouraging responsible use of the coast. A comprehensive analysis of activities at the site will take place as well as consultation workshops with the wider community, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the codes. The project aims to promote responsible use of the coast and to increase public participation in coastal management issues. It is a good collaborative project with input from authorities, organisations and local groups and should involve full consultation of the local coastal community. The Crown Estate owns almost the entire foreshore at Flamborough Head (leased to East Riding of Yorkshire County Council) and the area is valued for its wildlife, landscape and heritage aspect. It is a designated SAC, SPA, SSSI, Local Nature Reserve, and Heritage Coast and has high visitor numbers and a significant number of school visits.
Water and Beach Activity Guide
Northumberland Coast AONB
A guide (5,000 copies) will be produced for visitors to the Northumberland Coast AONB and Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site (EMS) with information on opportunities for responsible and sustainable beach and sea-based activities. The guide will include diagrams and annotated maps showing appropriate locations for activities, and include guidance and codes of conduct promoting sustainable use of the AONB and EMS. Advice will be given on: best practice to avoid environmental impact, avoiding sensitive wildlife sites and habitats, how users can help with management of the resource.
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Wales
Inspiring People about Wetland Wildlife
RSPB Cymru
The project aims to employ an Information Officer at Newport Wetlands and Conwy Nature Reserve. Their focus will be to run guided walks of the reserve, provide day to day information on birds and wildlife on view at the site, and involve people in nature conservation through encouraging them to volunteer and taking action for wildlife and the environment. This project will focus on developing the quality of people’s involvement with the RSPB and partner organisations at these sites of great importance to marine conservation. Almost 150,000 people are projected to be using these two sites annually within five years.
Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter & Marine Code Groups
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
This project builds on the success of the marine code which The Crown Estate has previously funded and aims to ensure that tourism activities remain sustainable for both business and the environment. This includes training for members to showcase Pembrokeshire’s environment and wildlife, resources to aid interpretation of the marine code and detailed environmental information fact sheets. A substantial number of worthy outputs have already been produced. The code is widely used in the area, including recently for a lease of the foreshore. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) have also stated that any wildlife tour operator or outdoor centre wishing to advertise in National Park publications and visitor centres must be members of these voluntary groups.
Skomer Island Heritage Experience
Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
Skomer forms part of the Marine Nature Reserve, SAC, SPA and the aim of the project is to convey the island’s dependency on a healthy marine environment. Interpretation facilities will be installed at two sites, one of which was previously restored with the aid of a MSF grant. Live camera feeds will link the island to visitor centres in Wales. The project focuses on sustainability and provides opportunity to highlight best practice management by showing the work of the trust and its partners on the island and surrounding marine environment. There are a large number of visitors to the island and this is expected to continue to rise.
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Scotland
CoastHebrides – Working Together for our Coast
Outer Hebrides Coastal Marine Partnership, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
The project will help support the newly formed Outer Hebrides Coastal Marine Partnership (CoastHebrides) and establish and support a network of “Coastal Care” groups throughout the Outer Hebrides. CoastHebrides is a local coastal partnership formed to deliver Integrated Coastal Zone Management throughout the Outer Hebrides and is affiliated to the Scottish Coastal Forum. Production of newsletters and a website along with conferences will raise awareness and encourage involvement in the work of the partnership.
Craighouse Harbour Project Phase 1, Small Isles Bay, Craighouse, Isle of Jura
Jura Development Trust (JDT)
The project is planned to improve the harbour for visiting vessels and local users by removal of boulders from the sea bed, increasing the number of fixed moorings and improving access to the existing stone pier from the harbour by the installation of pontoons, a ramp and lighting. The project will be managed by JDT with additional support from AIE in the form of project management and provision of a technical authority.
Fortrose Bay Trot Moorings
Moorings Association of Chanonry Sailing Club
This project aims to improve the environmental management and stewardship of Fortrose Bay in the Inverness Firth by installing a trot mooring system to provide mooring facilities for existing local demand, as well as anticipated growth in demand, and visiting yachts. Increased security of moorings will be apparent together with a reduction of disturbance to the seabed and damage to benthic life caused by annual lifting and laying of moorings.
Orkney Marine Education Initiative
RSPB Scotland
The project aims to raise awareness and understanding of the marine environment, and to encourage active participation and greater long-term stewardship amongst every schoolchild and community across Orkney’s mainland and islands. A targeted three-year marine education programme to every school on Orkney will provide a series of illustrated talks and marine information packs and a giant mosaic of Orkney’s marine environment will be created, inspired by the children themselves, to form part of the Orkney Science Festival 2007. It is hoped the project will be able to provide positive information on marine renewable energy initiatives in the area.
Spey Bay Reserve and Wildlife Centre Ranger
Joint application from the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)
SWT and WDCS will employ a seasonal Spey Bay Reserve and Wildlife Centre Ranger. The location of the WDCS Wildlife Centre adjacent to the SWT Spey Bay Wildlife Reserve offers excellent potential for joint working. The Wildlife Centre and Wildlife Reserve are located on land owned by The Crown Estate marine and rural estates offering the potential for further productive partnership working. The seasonal post will run from spring to autumn for three years.
Tobermory Harbour Development Multipurpose Building
Tobermory Harbour Association (THA)
The purpose of this project will provide 'facilities for all'. The building will benefit many groups by providing a community space and essential facilities to meet the demands of visiting yachtsmen, sea and land eco-tourists, the diving industry, charter boat fleets, visiting cruise liners, the local fishing fleet and the local yachting community. It will serve an important function in providing access to information and education for visitors and the local community alike on the various activities, initiatives and enterprises that contribute to the use, management and conservation of the marine environment around the Isle of Mull.
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Northern Ireland
Castle Espie Wetland Restoration Project
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)
The project aims to create an exemplar of habitat restoration, creation and management designed to enhance populations of key species and habitats and to develop eco-geographical relationships with Strangford Lough. The project hopes to restore the ecological balance and value of this site which has declined significantly over the past 40 years. There has been significant long-term loss of important plant communities and major habitat loss, resulting in a need for complex restoration work. The area includes tidal, saline and freshwater wetlands along the coastal strip of Castle Espie and it is hoped to establish the area as a National Wetlands Centre. Part of the cost will involve scrub clearance, paths / boardwalks, landscaping, sea wall repairs, planting, and interpretation. The project aims to introduce renewable energy initiatives where possible and there is a focus on sustainability throughout.
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