A Year in The Living Coast

We’ve been working with our partners on many projects in The Living Coast region this year: we’ve hosted the pre-launch event for Nature2020 event organisers and supported the ChaMP project to develop sustainable urban drainage solutions in Brighton  and Lewes, learning from their groundwater protection work with rural communities; we’ve been awarded HLF Development funding for the Changing Chalk project led by the National Trust; and with ONCA and Schools Without Walls we’re currently showcasing the proposals for the forthcoming Marine Conservation Zone.

We were out spreading The Living Coast word this summer at Apple Day in Stanmer Park and the Wild Chalk festival where there was a chance to try out a simulation of The Living Coast Undersea Experience.

We’ve reached out across the globe, building new partnerships with the Bio-Cultural Heritage Tourism project, including a week’s study tour to the Iroise Islands & Sea Biosphere on the North-Western Coast of France, working with other urban Biospheres as part of the ENESUS project and hosting a study group from Ground Work Mishima in Japan who wanted to learn more about our Biosphere.

We welcomed Martin Harris of Brighton & Hove Buses as our new Biosphere Board Chair this Autumn to lead us into the new year, when we’ll be staging the official launch of Nature 2020 at the Winter in The Living Coast Undercliff Healthwalk on 31st January.  It’s a year-long programme of events and activities to celebrate and highlight the environment of The Living Coast - look out for a Biosphere-wide Bioblitz happening during the City Nature Challenge weekend of 24th 27th April. Later in the year the newly restored Stanmer Park will be officially reopened to the public in September.

We wish happy holidays to all our Friends of the Living Coast and a fruitful New Year.