Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

News for December 2016

SFP/AONB Conference Success

All things coastal and marine were the order of the day at the recent Solway Firth Partnership (SFP) and Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conference in Gretna Green. Both organisations promote care and understanding of the Solway Firth, as well as integration between all its various interests.

The conference welcome was given by Miranda Krestovnikoff, who also gave the final address of the day, sharing her passion for our seas and the importance of passing a clean and healthy marine environment onto future generations. Miranda is closely involved with both RSPB and the Marine Conservation Society and is a great ambassador for promoting the protection of our seas.

There was a great range of talks and workshops throughout the day covering Energy, Marine Planning, Community and Landscapes and Marine Biodiversity. And as Ian Frost, Chief Executive of Allerdale Borough Council said in his entertaining talk, “We all have a shared responsibility for a special place, the Solway.”

SFP would like to thank everyone for their feedback from the event.

News Update & Events

Daily during December 2016
Wild Swan Feeds
See wild whooper swans closer than anywhere in Britain.

and
Guide in the Hide
Join friendly and knowledgeable guides out and about in the hides around Caerlaverock to point out the best wildlife of the day.

For more information contact the centre at info.caerlaverock@wwt.org.uk or phone 01387 770200

Solway Wetlands
Call for Volunteers!
The Solway Wetlands Landscape Partnership are looking for volunteers to help with learning activities for children, young people and adults.

Training courses will begin in January but there will be introductory meetings before this so you can find out more information on what is required. For more details visit the volunteering page on the Solway Wetlands website or e-mail info@solwaywetlands.org.uk or phone 016973 33055

Sunday 1 January 2017
New Year's Day Bird Race
Start the year by challenging the Caerlaverock warden to see how many bird species you can spot in a day. For more details contact Caerlaverock Wetland Centre at info.caerlaverock@wwt.org.uk or phone 01387 770200

Solway Stories: Designations

Getting confused over the differences between and SAC, SPA, MPA, SSSI, Ramsar MCZ? Fear not, Ann Lingard of Solway Stories has a new article to explain the protective designations found along our coastline.

Learn how this beautiful ecosystem is protected from over-exploitation and man-made damage so that generations can enjoy its unique wildlife for years to come.

Protected area borders aren’t marked by posts or buoys, but they are marked by lines on maps, co-ordinates and through written legislation.

For more information on the site designations found in the Solway, click here

Great British Beach Clean '16

The Marine Conservation Society have celebrated the success of their September 2016 Beach Clean. Almost 6,000 volunteers managed to clean up 364 beaches around the UK, by picking up an incredible 268,384 pieces of beach litter.

The number of plastic bags found on the beach has halved since 2015! Could this be due to the new 5p charge on carrier bags? Unfortunately, the number of plastic balloon-related debris had dramatically increased by over 50% since 2015. Drinks bottles, bottle caps and lids were also found to be 4% more numerous than 2015 also.

For more information about the results of the clean up or to find out how you can get involved in MCS projects, click here

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