To find out more, or to get involved, contact: Guardians of the Deep Laura Welton, Guardians of the Deep Project Officer (North East Kent) The Guardians of the Deep project is a partnership between Kent Wildlife Trust, Thanet District Council, Medway Swale Estuary Thanet District Council Partnership and Kent County Council. It will involve local people in the E-mail: [email protected] protection and monitoring of Kent’s coastal wildlife, and get young people Tel: 01843 577673 excited about marine wildlife through a programme of snorkelling activities and practical learning opportunities at coastal sites around the county. www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/guardians-of-the-deep© Pa Guardians of the Deep © Paula Young The project will aim specifically along three stretches of coastline, encompassing the newly designated Marine Conservation Zones – Medway and Swale Estuaries, Thanet Coast, Dover to Deal and Dover to Folkestone. Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife conservation charity for Kent and Medway, with over 30,000 members. Reg. Charity No: 239992. The activities within the project will raise awareness of the wildlife Coastal Connections importance of these three areas of the Kent coast and involve volunteers Work with organisations in helping to protect them and promote their enjoyment. responsible for protection of marine environments, and other Coastal Guardians like-minded organisations, to build Creation of a self-sustaining awareness of, and support for, the Coastal Guardian network – importance of sustainable use of individuals and groups of our marine environment. volunteers who oversee a Involving everyone in helping to stretch of coastline near where promote and protect Kent’s marine environment through a variety of they live, promoting the wise- innovative engagement activities and online initiatives. use and enjoyment of these areas. Coastal Citizen Science Training to enable local people to Undersea Explorers take a direct role to help conserve Workshops to teach young people their local natural coastal heritage. snorkelling and water safety skills in Establishment of a north Kent swimming pools decorated with Coastbusters team, extending the submersible ‘marine habitat’ props, which Thanet Coast’s extremely successful will help them understand the importance pilot Pacific oyster control and fragility of marine life. programme. Monthly survey events for volunteers to record marine wildlife around the WildBeach Kent coast, with records provided to statutory bodies, to help monitor the A programme of activities aimed condition of sites. at schools, along the lines of Forest Schools, but focusing on the marine environment. Opportunities to learn about the marine environment, its value as a home for wildlife and the challenges associated with protecting it. .