……is an important task that requires input from many local and environmental authorities. This is the role of Nigel Mortimor, a marine biologist who is the South Devon AONB's Estuaries Officer. He emphasised to Coastwise members that his job is
2021 – A New Beginning in 2021 ?……..
……definitely of the Spring Talks Series, which has topics ranging from ecological test systems to bristleworms, and including something of marine interest for everyone, including a chance to show your interesting or artistic finds of 2020. We seem to have
Driller Killers Roam the Coasts…..
……..according to Dr Paul Naylor, an old fried of Coastwise, who gave a talk to members on Fascinating Marine Animals, the challenges they face, and interesting behaviour. Paul is a marine biologist and very accomplished underwater photographer, who lives in
Boring marine organisms
Dr Luiza Borges gave us the first ever Zoom talk from mainland Europe on 'boring marine organisms'. Most of us have seen 'shipworm' holes in driftwood without understanding why they were there. Only a few will know they are caused
Frozen Fingers in February……..
…….don't deter serious rockpoolers, said Heather Buttivant, an old friend of Coastwise, as she stiffened members' backbones and inspired them to get out despite the season. Heather's message was simple; winter's still a great time to get out and look
Stormy times ahead………
…………….according to Sam Hallam, who's researching oceanic trends that influence climate at Southampton University, with support from Spitfire, Southampton Partnership for Innovative Training of Future Investigators Researching the Environment (I wonder how many PhDs it took to think that acronym
Dynamic Dunescapes
Bev Phillips gave a very animated talk on Dynamic Dunescapes, and described her work on Braunton Burrows. These are one of the best dune systems in the UK and along with Croyde and Woolacombe are the focus of the Devon
Mike’s Marine Magic
Mike Puleston, from The Shores of South Devon, highlights some of his favourite images of marine organisms from the inter-tidal zone of the county's well known rock and sand beaches. Mike gave a fascinating talk on his intertidal marine
To Hell and Back (Hopefully)…….
…..is the (very) cautiously optimistic picture that Jonathon Porritt gave to Coastwises members, while talking about his new book. He outlined the familiar picture of frozen arctic sediments melting and releasing methane, accellerating climate change, a growing gap between reality
Breaking plates…………..
……………(tectonic plates, that is) has been happening since early in the formation of the Earth, and has been a major factor in what we now see in the Devon Landscape. Professor Malcolm Hart, of the Plymouth University Dept of Geological