It's good to report some positive news about the environment. Barry Yates and team at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve are finding less litter on the beach, because more visitors have been taking their rubbish home with them, and some are conducting their own 'two minute beach cleans', all of which helps remove plastics and other litter from the marine environment.
This, staff think, is due to increased public awareness of plastic pollution after David Attenborough's Blue Planet II was aired, showing some of the shocking effects plastic pollution is having on our oceans.
Sussex Wildlife Trust is always delighted by the support from corporate groups and the many volunteers who take part in beach cleans along the coast. It makes a difference, and it is really appreciated.
But, as Lucy Bowyer, senior learning and engagement officer at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve explains, "We do need to keep on doing it. Storms and tides wash up debris on the beach, and there are unfortunately also still a few visitors who don't take their rubbish home. We often find pieces of fishing net, rope and lots of bottle tops. Odd things too. Sometimes we spend ages trying to identify what some things once were! Some of the five million bits of Lego that fell into the sea in 1997 are still being washed up today."
As part of the new Discover Rye Harbour project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is putting on monthly family weekend beach cleans.
The first takes place on Saturday, January 25 from 10am to 12:30pm. All are welcome. Litter pickers and bags provided, please bring gloves if you have them. Meet at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre. No booking required
