Volunteers will be helping to stem the tide of litter next week when they take part in a beach clean at North Walney nature reserve.
The beach clean will take place on Saturday 6th October and is a joint effort with volunteers, Morecambe Bay Partnership, Natural England wardens and a Cumbria County Council countryside ranger all working together. Barrow Borough Council will also be playing their part when their waste operatives load up the mountain of rubbish at the end of the day.
The North Walney dunes are home to the endangered Natterjack toad and a geranium that only grows around Walney Island.
The beach clean follows on from a very successful event held in April when 44 volunteers cleared a massive 458kg of litter from North Walney. This included a van door, three tyres, an old fridge and an easy chair. But the reserve itself was left at that time because it was the bird-nesting season, so now the call is on for volunteers to finish the job.
Eve Borrino, Countryside Ranger for Cumbria County Council, said:
"Walney Island is a unique and valuable landscape with some rare flora and fauna, unfortunately their struggle for survival is not helped by the tide of litter that is left on the shingle shoreline. We need every pair of hands we can get to make a difference to this special part of Cumbria's coastline. I will be giving lifts up to the reserve boundary in the off-road ranger vehicle."
Helen Annan from Morecambe Bay Partnership, said:
"It is great to see so many different organisations - Natural England, Cumbria County Council, and Barrow Borough Council - working together with the volunteers to get a valuable job done and make a real difference".
Volunteers are asked to meet at Earnse Bay at 10am on Saturday 6th October. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear suitable clothing and bring waterproofs. As a thank-you, Bill Shaw, the reserve's Community Wildlife Officer with Natural England, will lead a tour of the reserve in the afternoon. Please remember to bring along a packed lunch if you intend stopping for the whole day. For further information about the day and what to bring contact 01539 740430 or email beach@morecambebay.org.uk
Notes
1. The Morecambe Bay Partnership works with communities around the bay to improve the environment for local people and visitors alike. In the past three years it has helped more than 2,000 volunteers to remove over 15 tonnes of waste from the shores of the Bay. For more information follow the link at the bottom of the page to visit the Morecambe Bay Partnership website.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Follow this link to visit the Morecambe Bay Partnership website