Update from Wild Coast Sussex

It’s been a very busy summer of delivery over here at Wild Coast Sussex. We began our summer by welcoming our first intern, Sophie to the project. Sophie worked across the partnership on multiple different aspects of the project, however her main goal was to organise an Ocean Hackathon.

The Ocean Hackathon, invited 20 young people from across Sussex to join together at the beautiful De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. They tackled three big ocean conservation questions affecting Sussex right now. Their work ‘hacking’ through these questions and coming up with amazing and creative solutions will directly feed into the Sussex Kelp Restoration Project, the fast approaching consultation on Beach Head East Marine Conservation Zone, and will continue to inform marine projects in the Trust going forwards. It’s a huge step toward ingraining young voices in our day to day work. Check out our Instagram @WildCoastSussex to see more of what they produced.

The rest of our summer was also packed full of free events. We’ve run art by the sea sessions, water sports sessions and book swap beach cleans. 

One of our most popular events, the LGBTQ+ clothes swap and beach clean saw young LGBTQ+ people from across Brighton connecting the world of circular economy with ocean conservation. They carried out a Marine Conservation litter survey and a Sharks Trust Mermaids Purse hunt before retiring to swap clothes and contribute to sustainable fashion.

Finally we need to say a huge thank you to our project partners Marine Conservation Society, Sussex IFCA and SEA LIFE Brighton. We pride ourselves in our partnership working and collaboration to ensure joined up thinking for communities and marine wildlife across Sussex.

This project is funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund with thanks to Lottery players.