10 Ways to Care for Our Coastal Environment

Our coastal environment supports a huge variety of animals and plants so by helping to conserve coastal habitats we can protect the wildlife that lives in them for future generations.

As water people, it’s up to us to not only educate others but to lead by example.

Here are 10 ways to protect our coastal environment.

1. Sand Dunes Sand Dunes are a particularly sensitive environment to footfall and traffic. They are only held together by the plants that grow on and in them. Once the vegetation is removed, trampled or worn away, there is little to prevent the sand from just blowing away. Never walk, drive or ride a bike on sand dunes. Stick to the trails when walking and drive all vehicles only designated areas. Use the beach not the sand dunes for your picnic when visiting the beach.

2. Rock Pools Rock pools provide habitat for many plants and animals. Many families love to play in rock pools and they are a fantastic place for youngsters to discover marine life that live in them. However, never take any animals, shells or fish from the water and return any overturned rocks to their original position. Animals and plants that rely on the biodiversity of rock pools will die if left exposed to the sun.

3. Seagrass Beds Seagrass beds are an important link the food chain for hundreds of species feeding on them including green turtles, dugongs, manatees, fish, geese, swans, sea urchins and crabs. Be careful not to walk on seagrass beds as you can cause much damage to them. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seagrass

4. Coastal Saltmarshes These are important habitats for wading birds, fish and other animals. Do not disturb migrating birds, nests or their habitat. Look and admire from a distance, preferably through binoculars.

5. Collecting Shells Many marine animals like snails produce beautiful shells in an array of colours, shapes and sizes. They are tempting to take home as a memento but don’t. Empty shells are used by animals, including hermit crabs, for protection. Leave shells on the beach rather than taking them home.

6. Pollution Rubbish on beaches is unattractive, dangerous for animals and the environment and unhealthy. Most rubbish takes thousands if not tens of thousands of years and often longer to break down and some is indestructible. It can harm and kill wildlife so always take your rubbish home with you and recycle as much as possible.

7. Campfires Campfires destroy unique vegetation and can cause wildfires to spread. Disposable barbeques left behind can cause unlimited damage to the environment and animals. Always take them home with you.

8. Don’t trample on plants or break vegetation Plants and vegetation create unique habitats for coastal environments and animals. Stick to designated walking trails and routes rather than cutting through vegetation and plants. You could be destroying a home.

9. Don’t disturb animals or birds Wild animals and birds get very distressed when humans try to get too close, touch or handle them. They may die, abandon their young – especially when human scent is on the babies – or flee their natural habitat. Also, be aware of migrating birds and animals so as not to disturb them.

10. Be aware of cultural sites and customs. Across the world, there are sites of reverence to all cultures from druid stones in the UK to aboriginal plains in Australia to Hindu temples in Bali. Be aware of the cultural guidelines when visiting these places, be respective of the customs and never attempt to take anything away from them. You could be breaking the law.

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