Helford in spotlight as conservation plans receive grant aid (From Falmouth Packet)

Helford in spotlight as conservation plans receive grant aid

8:40am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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Volunteers are being recruited to help protect Helford and four other important marine wildlife conservation areas in Cornwall.

It has been possible from a grant of £103,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), with match funding from South West Water and GE Money Volunteer Foundation.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s ‘Your Shore’ project is a three-year activity programme which will be centred on the Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas of Helford, St Agnes, Polzeath and Looe.

Head of HLF South West, Nerys Watts said: “Cornwall’s marine heritage will benefit through people’s increased understanding of the local environment, with children and adults encouraged to ‘look, learn and leave’ so as to conserve this special environment for future generations.”

“We live in a beautiful part of the world, and initiatives like this go a long way to helping us make the most of it," said Mark Thomas of South West Water, which also match sponsored the Heritage Lottery funded development phase of the project in 2009.

Local volunteers of all ages will be recruited to take part in a range of activities, involving some 150 events over the three-year period, which will raise awareness of the fragility of various ecosystems. Events such as rockpool rambles, snorkel surveys, guided walks and river cruises will be launched in March, and will combine fun with learning opportunities.

Victoria Whitehouse, conservation manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “These funds will enable us to use our local community engagement expertise and involve literally hundreds of people in exciting activities in their local marine environment.” Helford is a very active VMCA. Further enhancement will include an improved education programme with a more scientific emphasis. Key training courses to be held will include sedimentary shores, shore fish, rocky shore ecology and bird identification.

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