News
Wild Coast Sussex – what we have achieved
By Ella Garrud Wild Coast Sussex Project Manager Wild Coast Sussex is a community engagement and education project which aims to inspire Sussex communities to care for the marine environment and enable them to protect their local coast and ocean. The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to money raised by the… Continue reading Wild Coast Sussex – what we have achieved
Nursehound Eggcase – An Exciting Find
By Sophie Atkinson, Wild Coast Sussex Project Officer During a citizen science training event on Rottingdean Beach, Wild Coast Sussex Project Officer Sophie Atkinson discovered a rare find for Sussex beaches, a Nursehound eggcase. Nursehounds are the largest catshark species found in the UK, reaching up to 160cm, and their eggcases are significantly larger than those… Continue reading Nursehound Eggcase – An Exciting Find
Wild Coast Sussex – 2023 Review
By Sophie Atkinson, Wild Coast Sussex Project Officer The Wild Coast Sussex project had its last full year of delivery in 2023, and boy did we go out with a bang! We kicked off the year with our ‘Dip a Toe’ campaign held on the 16th January, also known as Blue Monday, where we encouraged Sussex… Continue reading Wild Coast Sussex – 2023 Review
Wild Coast Celebration
Sophie Maplesden Wild Coast Sussex Assistant Project Officer Last month we celebrated the success that the Wild Coast Sussex project has seen so far, with a Wild Coast Sussex celebration party! This was an event held at SEA LIFE Brighton to recognise the achievements of the project in the past three years and the people… Continue reading Wild Coast Celebration
Silent Disco Beach Cleans!
By Ruby Storthard Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer Litter on our beaches poses a huge threat to our local marine wildlife. To help tackle this, Wild Coast Sussex have offered a fun, hands-on way for young people to engage with protecting our seas through a series of silent disco beach cleans! I got involved with this… Continue reading Silent Disco Beach Cleans!
Sea slugs – celebrating hidden gems in the ocean
By Alicja Szalanska Volunteer, Wild Coast Sussex The 29th October marks International Sea Slug Day, a celebration of these captivating yet often overlooked oceanic wonders. It’s also a day to acknowledge the lifelong dedication of marine biologist Terry Gosliner, who has tirelessly studied and conserved these remarkable creatures. In this post, let’s dive into the world… Continue reading Sea slugs – celebrating hidden gems in the ocean
Ghost Gear – What are we doing about it?
By Sophie Atkinson Wild Coast Sussex Project Officer Last week’s episode of Planet Earth III shed light on one of the biggest threats to marine life globally – ghost gear. Ghost gear is the term used to describe abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, and is so named as it continues to capture and trap marine animals… Continue reading Ghost Gear – What are we doing about it?
Four simple ways to support ocean conservation
By Alicja Szalanska Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer The oceans, with their mesmerising depths and diverse marine life, are vital to our planet’s health. Yet, they face growing threats like pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. Fortunately, you can make a meaningful difference by taking small steps. In this blog post, we’ll explore five easy actions… Continue reading Four simple ways to support ocean conservation
Mermaid’s Purse Hunting in Hove
By Helen Stewart Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer Having recently retired, I have volunteered with Wild Coast Sussex to help identify mermaid’s purses on local beaches as part of the Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt. On a very wet and windy day in September, I and other volunteers were instructed on the basics of mermaid purse identification by members… Continue reading Mermaid’s Purse Hunting in Hove
Wild Coast Weekend!
By Sophie Maplesden Wild Coast Sussex Assistant Project Officer I recently had the pleasure of helping to organise the Wild Coast Weekend. This was a free, two day event run by the Wild Coast Sussex Project, aimed at 18-25 year olds interested in conservation, our local coast or those purely wanting to boost their nature… Continue reading Wild Coast Weekend!
Celebrating Love, Diversity, and Coastal Conservation: Hastings Pride 2023
By Sian Scott Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer The 2023 Hastings Pride event was a vibrant celebration of love, diversity, and community spirit. Amidst a sea of rainbow flags, Wild Coast Sussex proudly hosted a stall at the Oval, where we combined our passion for coastal conservation with the vibrant spirit of LGBTQ+ pride. A Kaleidoscope… Continue reading Celebrating Love, Diversity, and Coastal Conservation: Hastings Pride 2023
The Adventures of a Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer
By Ruby Stothard Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer Over the spring and summer, I have been lucky enough to spend time volunteering and learning with the Wild Coast Sussex team. The Wild Coast Sussex project aims to inspire people to connect with their local beaches and encourage direct action to protect the Sussex coast. One way… Continue reading The Adventures of a Wild Coast Sussex Volunteer
What is the definition of a Wild Beach child?
Guest blog By Dee Rampling Special Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo), Winchelsea Primary School A Wild Beach child has highly attuned senses and feels a meaningful connection with their surroundings, through what they hear, see, taste, feel, smell and intuitively experience at an emotional level. They will build upon an ever-increasing awareness of the impact of… Continue reading What is the definition of a Wild Beach child?
Become and eggsplorer at your local beach
Some sharks, skates and rays reproduce by laying tough leathery egg capsules in which the embryo develops. They spend several months under water until the pup is ready to hatch. These egg cases are often found washed up on the beach and are colloquially known as mermaid’s purses. By looking at the colour, size and… Continue reading Become and eggsplorer at your local beach
Windlesham School ditch plastic in lunches
What a comm-ocean! Windlesham School and Nursery ditch plastic in lunches on school trips. The Wild Coast Sussex Project has been busy all along the Sussex coastline this year, one of their major aims being to provide Wild Beach Training (level 3) for local teachers to support them in taking their classes to the beach.… Continue reading Windlesham School ditch plastic in lunches
Have you ever found these strange black eggs on the beach…?
Over the summer we often find these strange eggs that look like a small bunch of black grapes. They are actually the eggs of Cuttlefish. If you find them put the back into the sea to give them a better chance of survival. Find out more about these amazing creatures
Wild Coast Sussex at the Ocean Symposium 2021
The Ocean Symposium was a great success on Saturday, with over 120 people attending the event at the Hastings Museum and online. Organised by Wild Coast Sussex Communities and Wildlife Officer Ella Garrud with Gonzalo of the United Nations Association. This is our third Ocean Symposium, and is increasingly galvanising Sussex marine interests. This year,… Continue reading Wild Coast Sussex at the Ocean Symposium 2021