Other Projects
Visit our other projects for more information on the various exciting projects as they unfold!
SeaScape Project:
Revealing Hidden Heritage
Project: Our Coast, Our Wildlife
Project Lead: National Trust
A conservation and engagement project to protect and enhance the species-rich habitat along the Magnesian Limestone coastal slopes by: Undertaking wildlife surveys recording key species to increase the knowledge of the invertebrate communities of these cliffs.
Celebrating the importance of this coast for butterflies and moths, increasing the habitat range for important species. Providing engagement opportunities for local people to increase appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of the unique flora and fauna.
- Volunteer training, surveying and monitoring.
- Enhancement and restoration of species-rich coastal slopes.
- A programme of wildlife recording events and workshops.
- Engagement with local people, schools and visitors.
- Volunteer task days
- Wildlife survey records undertaken and submitted to Local Environmental Records Centre.
- Local schools engaged.
Project: Intertidal Interactive
Project Lead: Durham Wildlife Trust
An engagement project that will provide a range of opportunities for people to explore, discover and record the natural heritage of the coast and marine area. Providing training to enhance understanding and improve conservation for our marine and coastal wildlife. Building capacity within the local community to help sustain the rich natural heritage resulting in greater advocacy and stewardship.
- 8 Beach Tot sessions delivered
- 7 Beach Ranger Sessions delivered including 2 training opportunities
- 12 community and family walks delivered
- Coastal Groups established including:
o 12 expert-led talks delivered
o 12 activities delivered
o 12 training events delivered - Baseline surveys for shore birds and food stock assessment undertaken
- Staff trained in BSAC accredited snorkel training
- Staff trained in monitoring intertidal rocky shore habitat by University of Newcastle.
- Deliver 6 citizen science training events
- Volunteers trained.
- Wildlife survey records undertaken and submitted to Local Environmental Records Centre.
- North Sea Science workshops delivered in 30 schools
- 30 Schools take part in snorkel training
Project: Beneath the Waves
Project Lead: Newcastle University
Using immersive activity, this project will reveal the hidden heritage (natural and maritime) beneath the waves training local divers to created 3D shipwreck wreck models to provide virtual wreck dives experiences, support local divers to carry out marine recording, improving knowledge and understanding of our marine habitats. These will be submitted to the national Seasearch scheme.
Creation of themed snorkel trails alongside BSAC accredited snorkel training sessions to give a gentle introduction into what it’s like to peek under the surface of the sea, to encourage people to interact with the coastal edge
Shipwreck Modelling – Virtual Wreck Dives
- 16 local dive clubs trained in the accredited International Association of Nitrous and Technical Divers (IANTD) course.
- 36 local divers trained in 3D photogrammetry techniques
- Diver training workshops delivered including maritime archaeology training and data processing.
- 3D shipwreck models created.
- 1 celebration event delivered to showcase 3D shipwreck models created.
Marine Recording - Divers trained in marine recording
- Seasearch records submitted detailing information about underwater habitats and communities (biotopes).
- Comprehensive dive survey of SeaScapes marine area
Engagement Activities - People trained in snorkelling.
- 2 snorkel trails created.
Project: Wave Basin Battery
Project Lead: Sunderland City Council
A conservation project undertaking works to the Wave Basin Battery to enhance the preservation, understanding and interpretation of this superb military-heritage asset. This will include undertaking a Level 4 Historic England Survey to compile a comprehensive analytical record of the site.
Providing a virtual heritage experience, through 3D digital heritage model of the Battery to increase the public value of this heritage asset, by increasing understanding and informing interpretation of the past.
- Conservation works undertaken on the battery to secure a long-term outcome.
- 1 archaeological investigation
- 1 Historic England Level 4 comprehensive record of the battery
- Historic England Listing Records updated
- Local HER record updated
- Creation of a 3D heritage model
- 2 schools engaged.
- 2 local heritage group engaged
- 1 heritage open day.
Project: FoodScapes
Project Lead: Newcastle University
This project will connect the local community with their shore and inshore waters sea food traditions and folklore for the Tyne to Tees area for the shore and inshore waters, by making the links between the seascape we see and the food we eat e.g. Seaham Crown Crab and winkles.
Using seafood as a cornerstone to engagement activity, we will draw our communities into the wider SeaScapes scheme; linking the heritage and traditions of our fishing communities to how we can improve the stewardship of our inshore waters and achieve sustainable food stocks; enhancing our natural heritage. The project will also look at the reintroduction of oysters and other bivalve species to those areas once known to be home to these species.
- Research material for partners and local bodies with coastal, estuarine and maritime interest (1 PhD thesis focussed on this theme).
- 18 foraging, food and heritage events promoted and organised.
- 12 ‘showcase’ events promoted and organised
- 4 community groups engaged.
- 4 schools engaged.
- Digital interpretation created.
- 1 fishing event delivered
- An assessment of suitable sites for the reintroduction of oysters and other bivalves.
