About the event

Mark Ward - Wilder Communities Manager - Somerset Wildlife Trust

Mark is a marine biologist and marine educator with 40 years of experience of enthusing people about our Ocean. From 2018 to 2025 he led two community engagement projects for Somerset Wildlife Trust raising awareness and empowering communities and volunteers about the importance of Somerset's coastline. Mark will be hosting this webinar to celebrate the work the Trust has done already in this important habitat and explore how we are continuing to work with others to continue to raise its profile. 

A range of speakers from experts to volunteers will talk about what they have being doing and how more people can get involved. The presentations include:

The Wilder Somerset Coast: Nigel Phillips (Local expert and author of 'Nature's Somerset Coast')

An insight into some of the incredible and often over-looked wildlife, species and habitats of the diverse and varied Somerset coast-line (from sea cliffs to pebble ridges, salt marshes, rocky shores, mudflats and sand dunes)

Surveying Our Coast: Mark Ward & Coastwise Somerset Team (local community scientists)

An update on data collected and recent findings from our Shoresearch and Sea Watch survey groups  and plans for the future and how you can get involved.

The Story the Somerset Eel: Julia Manning (natural history artist and eel 'champion')

An illustrated story of the amazing life journey of Somerset's eels and the challenges they face through an artist's eyes.

SWT Coastal Strategy: James Grischeff (SWT Director of Nature Recovery)

An overview of SWT's coastal strategies; issues, challenges and next steps.

There will also be the opportunity to put questions to our panel of speakers.