Book your place for a dynamic dune walk
SAND dunes are the best, but as a habitat they’re among the most threatened on the planet, due to climate change, invasive species and people pressure.
Along Sefton’s coast we are lucky to have one of the best ranges of dunes in the country, and as a chain of nature reserves from Seaforth in the south to Marshside in the north, the coast represents one of the most important dune stretches in Europe.
It’s wonderful therefore to see the ambitious “Dynamic Dunescapes” project celebrating their importance as part of World Sand Dune Day (yes, that is a thing), on Saturday, June 25.
The project aims to help rejuvenate sand dune systems in England and Wales for wildlife, communities and people.
Dynamic Dunescapes is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the EU LIFE Programme. The project is a partnership between Natural England, Plantlife, National Trust, Natural Resources Wales and the Wildlife Trusts.
It is backed by Green Sefton, and the project has worked on a number of activities on our Local Nature Reserves including control of the invasive Rosa rugosa and scrub removal at Queen’s Jubilee Nature Trail in Southport.
Successful projects have also been completed at reserves managed by the National Trust and Natural England - one of the strengths of the Sefton dune system is the partnership between landowners.
A spokesperson for the initiative explained: “At the Dynamic Dunescapes project partnership, we’ll be hosting a range of online and in-person events at our sand dune sites on the weekend of the 25th, and also in the weeks running up to the big day.”
You can find out more about these on the Dynamic Dunescapes website as more details will be added to this page in the coming weeks: https:// dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/worldsand-dune-day/
While many volunteers and organisations help with tackling invasive species and scrub removal along the coast (heartfelt thanks to all), this work can only take place in the winter months to avoid disturbance to breeding species, so summer is a time to enjoy the spectacle of the dunes, and June usually reflects the dunes at their best.
To help celebrate World Sand Dune Day, Green Sefton will be leading two free guided walks in the natural splendour of Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25.
Both will set off from Ainsdale Discovery Centre (PR8 2QB), with the
Friday event running from 1pm to 4pm and the Saturday one from 10am to 2pm.
The first event will explore the dunes south of Shore Road at Ainsdale, while the Saturday trek will take in the nature reserve north of Shore Road.
Booking is essential for the walks, with stout footwear and weather appropriate clothing necessary. You may wish to bring a camera or binoculars if you have them.
Why not come along and get some sand in your socks! To book a place, please email me at john. dempsey@sefton.gov.uk In the meantime, why not share your pictures from the dune system of landscapes, flora and fauna with us on Twitter @ greensefton_ Don’t forget to tag your images #WorldSandDuneDay and @ DunesSefton
John works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service that brings together the coast & countryside, parks & green spaces, flooding & coastal erosion, risk management and grounds maintenance teams for a joined-up approach to the vital management, development and oversight of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, parks and green spaces. This column looks at the flora, fauna and history of the coastline, and the work carried out to protect it.