The Isle of Wight Biosphere will be hosting a Seagrass Symposium for the Island and Solent region this Spring.
Join Project Seagrass, WWF UK, Hampshire & Isle of Wildlife Trust and local partner organisations at Cowes Yacht Haven this April for an evening of talks and discussion around one of the most important marine habitats on the Island and mainland.
Two new methods of Seagrass seeding being trialled at Thorness including hessian 'seedsocks'.
This evening event will include talks by some of the organisations leading seagrass meadows research and conservation work, with updates on what’s been achieved so far and opportunities to contribute to ongoing work. There will also be open discussion around seagrass meadow restoration on the Isle of Wight and in the Solent, and a chance to meet and share ideas.
Project Seagrass team at work near Priory Bay, Isle of Wight.
Seagrass is an underwater flowering plant, growing in shallow waters around our coast and providing us and wildlife with numerous benefits. The meadows provide habitat for many marine species including nursery grounds for commercial fish species; they store carbon in the ocean floor, help to stabilise our coastlines from erosion through storms, and clean our water. However, this extraordinary ecosystem is threatened by range of human impacts. The Isle of Wight and the Solent are lucky enough to have many healthy seagrass meadows already, but there’s much more work to be done to restore, and to conserve them. Seagrass meadow restoration on the Isle of Wight and Solent is being undertaken collaboratively by many different organisations, working with local people to guide the work.
Volunteers at sponsor Liz Earle's Ryde HQ help to prepare seagrass seeds collected last year for planting out.
Volunteers at sponsor Liz Earle's Ryde HQ help to prepare seagrass seeds collected last year for planting out.
Issy Inman, Volunteer and Community Co-ordinator at Project Seagrass said,
“We would like to welcome as broad a community as possible to join us both at the Solent Seagrass Symposium and in the active work towards seagrass research and restoration. Marine and boating industry, harbour users, landowners, schools or communities – all of us can play a part in this global work.”
The Isle of Wight is lucky to be home to many important seagrass meadows.
The Isle of Wight & Solent Seagrass Symposium takes place at Cowes Yacht Haven, Vectis Yard, Cowes on Tuesday 18th April from 7pm – 8.30pm.
Reserve your spot via Eventbrite Seagrass Symposium - Isle of Wight & the Solent
Speakers include:
Ian Boyd - ARC Biodiversity & Climate and the Isle of Wight UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
Dr Richard Unsworth - Project Seagrass and Swansea University
Dr Tim Ferrero - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
And more to be confirmed.
Teas, coffees and cakes will be provided.
Further information on the Drop-in Evening on April 19th at the Department to follow.
All images courtesy of Theo Vickers Photography
For more information on Project Seagrass and Seagrass Ocean Rescue, please visit: https://www.projectseagrass.org/seagrass-ocean-rescue/
For more information on WWF UK, please visit: https://www.wwf.org.uk/
For more information, please contact: Claire@arc-consulting.co.uk