Our Coast, Our Sea - About us
Our Coast Our Sea is a collaborative partnership project. You can find information about the lead partners below. Beyond this, a much larger number of educational and conservation organisations have registered their support. If you would like to be involved, you can join our wider partnership forum. Send us an email with your full contact details and a brief description of your work. You may also want to share your news on the noticeboard
Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers 39 miles of coast from Berwick to the Coquet estuary, and has some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the country. The area is best known for its sweeping sandy beaches, rolling dunes, high rocky cliffs and isolated islands. There is evidence of 7000 years of human activity, represented today by many communities based on traditional industries and now encouraging tourism.
The AONB is managed by a partnership comprising local authorities and other organisations. Its website provides information about the area, places to visit and things to do.
Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site
The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European Marine Site encompasses 650 sq km of some of the most stunning coastal and marine waters in the UK. The site stretches from Alnmouth in Northumberland to Fast Castle Head in south east Scotland, and includes the Farne Islands and Holy Island, covering the shore and the spectacular land forms, underwater seascapes and habitats, and marine plants and animals.
The EMS and the St Abb’s Voluntary Marine Reserve organise many events for the public along the coast. The EMS publishes guides to exploring the shore and the underwater world of Northumberland and Berwickshire. For more information, visit the xbordercurrents website.
St Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve
St Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve was set up in 1984 by local fishermen, divers and conservationists, to preserve the exceptional marine life on the coast and under water. This was the first reserve of its kind in the UK.
The VMR aims to balance the needs of the area’s marine life with the needs of recreation & traditional creel fishing. Rangers offer activities for visitors and schools between April and September. www.marine-reserve.co.uk
English Heritage
English Heritage protects and promotes England’s spectacular historicenvironment. On the Northumberland Coast, we look after Berwick Barracks, Castle and Ramparts, Lindisfarne Priory, Dunstanburgh Castle, Warkworth Castle and Warkworth Hermitage. We help teachers and those involved in education – at all levels – to use the historic environment as a resource, right across the curriculum. For information on education visits, see www.english-heritage.org.uk/education.
The Outreach Department works with local communities on creative projects which help to build strong communities through promoting sense of place and identity. For more information please contact Alexandra Markham, Outreach Manager North East: alexandra.markham@english-heritage.org.uk or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/community.
The National Trust
On the Northumberland Coast, the National Trust takes care of Dunstanburgh Castle, Embleton and Newton Links, the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne Castle.
The National Trust is a charity and is ‘for ever, for everyone’ We are committed to placing learning at the heart of everything we do by creating opportunities for personal discovery, leading to memorable experiences.
Whether you’re a teacher planning a school trip, a parent wanting to help your children be inspired by special places or an adult wishing to increase your knowledge, the Trust has got something to offer you. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Natural England
Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the well-being and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity it brings. We work for people, places and nature, to enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; to promote access, recreation and public well being; and contributing to the way natural resources are managed so that they can be enjoyed now and in the future.
On the Northumberland Coast, Natural England manages Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, designates and monitors 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, delivers Environmental Stewardship to land managers and supports the Northumberland Coast AONB.
For more information on Natural England visit our website
For details on Lindisfarne NNR click here
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
The Northumberland Wildlife Trust is a leading charity dedicated to wildlife conservation and environmental education in North East England, and the only organisation uniquely concerned with wildlife in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. Our mission is to conserve local wildlife, promote nature conservation and provide the means by which everyone can become involved.
The Trust looks after over 60 nature reserves, rural and urban. On and near the Northumberland Coast, we look after reserves at Craster, Cresswell, Druridge, Hauxley and West Fleetham.
The Trust organises events for the public and provides educational activities and resources. For further information, see www.nwt.org.uk
Northumberland Learning Landscapes
Northumberland Learning Landscapes (NLL) is Northumberland County Council’s approach promoting access to quality learning experiences for children in the outdoor environment. Northumberland Learning Landscapes offers support and training to Nurseries and First Schools to enable children to benefit from outdoor learning.
Learning outdoors has long been considered good practice in the early years and is now nationally recognised both in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the Government’s ‘Learning outside the Classroom’ Manifesto.
Find out more here
