Press Release

Press Release Archive: Thursday 28 July 2011

Discover Living Seas with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

This summer, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is exploring the seashore and uncovering the magic of the marine world.

Special events are being held throughout August when large numbers of people head east to enjoy Lincolnshire’s beaches.  Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust PR Officer, Rachel Shaw, commented: "We are encouraging everyone to look beyond the sand castles; to explore Lincolnshire’s wild coast, get to know some of the amazing marine creatures that usually stay hidden beneath the waves or buried in the sand and discover the wildlife of Lincolnshire’s Living Seas." The Wildlife Trust is also asking people to join the campaign to protect marine animals and the undersea habitats in which they live.  Please show your support for a network of Marine Protected Areas off the Lincolnshire coast and around the UK by signing a scale on the Petition Fish or text ‘FISH’ with your name and postcode to 60777. Discover Living Seas with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Seawatch 5pm - 7.30pm, Friday 29 July at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness A chance to learn about autumn seabirds including terns, skuas, auks and gulls, and their movements around the Wash.  Watching from the beach, out from Mill Hill. Park at the beach car park and follow the path to the beach. National Whale and Dolphin Watch 10am – 4pm, Saturday 6 August at Round-and-Round Hide, Anderby Creek and 10am – 4pm, Sunday 7 August at National Coastwatch Institution Watch Tower, Winthorpe Join Coastal Ranger, Dave Miller and volunteers as we try to spot dolphins or whales off the Lincolnshire coastline. Pop in at any time throughout the day. Part of the Sea Watch Foundation National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend and kindly supported by the National Coastwatch Institution. If you would like to be involved as a Lincolnshire Sea Watch volunteer please contact Dave on 01754 898079 or email dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk The Great Boat Race 1pm - 3pm, Tuesday 9 August at Far Ings National Nature Reserve, Barton-upon-Humber Children’s event: Build your very own ocean going vessel and race the craft using the power of the sun! £2.50 per child, booking essential on 01652 637055 Kids Gang: The Deadly Seven #1 Monsters of the Sea  2pm - 4pm, Tuesday 9 August at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness Children’s event: What are the deadliest animals within their own world?  Today, we discover some of the deadly creatures of the sea.  £3 per child, booking essential on 01754 898057 Seas Alive! 1pm - 4pm, Thursday 11 August at Far Ings National Nature Reserve, Barton-upon-Humber Children’s event: Learn about the wonderful underwater world with crafts, games and activities. £2.50 per child, booking essential on 01652 637055 Seawatch 5pm - 7.30pm, Saturday 13 August at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness Learn about seabirds including terns, skuas, auks and gulls, and their movements around the Wash.  Watching from the beach, out from Mill Hill. Park at the beach car park and follow the path to the beach. With the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Wild about the Coast 10am to 4pm, Sunday 14 August at Anderby Creek Join our seaside celebration with wildlife fun for all the family. Drop in activities include sand sculpture, scavenger hunts and sea dipping. Guided walks including wildlife on the grazing marshes will also be on offer. Anderby Creek is off the A52 between Huttoft and Mumby. Kids Gang: The Deadly Seven #4 Beasts of the Beach 2pm - 4pm, Thursday 18 August at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness Children’s event: What are the deadliest animals within their own world?  Surely the shells on the beach cannot be deadly?  Join us to discover the mysteries of the animals that live within the shells.  £3 per child, booking essential on 01754 898057 High Tide Wader Watch 5.30pm - 8.30pm, Tuesday 30 August at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness See the spectacular flocks of birds rising from the wash, including knot, oystercatchers and redshank. A sight not to be missed!  £2 adult, £1 children, booking is essential please call 01754 898057 Seawatch 4.30pm - 7pm, Saturday 10 September, Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Skegness Learn about seabirds including terns, skuas, auks and gulls, and their movements around the Wash.  Watching from the beach, out from Mill Hill. Park at the beach car park and follow the path to the beach.

Notes to Editors

1. The Wildlife Trusts’ Petition Fish campaign
   Petition Fish are The Wildlife Trusts’ way of gathering signatures from the public in support of MPAs.  Signatures will be gathered online and through texts.  There will be opportunities to sign scales at The Wildlife Trusts’ events.  These scales will be attached to large fish which will eventually be taken en masse to Westminster to demonstrate the weight of public support for MPAs. 
   In 2007 The Wildlife Trusts launched a campaign to raise awareness for the need of legislation to protect the UK’s seas - only 0.001% was fully protected from damaging activities.   A survey in the same year found that people across the UK thought that more than a quarter - 27% - of our sea area is already safe within Marine Reserves.  The poll was conducted by ICM. 1,296 people were interviewed.
   www.wildlifetrusts.org/petitionfish
   
   
2. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire – from the Humber to the Wash. The Trust is Lincolnshire’s leading nature conservation charity with over 25,000 members and around 100 nature reserves. The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts.
   www.lincstrust.org.uk
   
   
3. The Wildlife Trusts. There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.  With more than 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch.  We manage around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
   www.wildlifetrusts.org

For further information please contact

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk