Deal Beach Clean 18th Feb Report

Thank you to our 100+ volunteers todays Deal Beach Clean. Glorious day to be on the beach.

A group did the survey for the Marine Conservation Society while the rest of us wandered towards the rowing club from the Pier. Some 70 Bags collected with 47kilos of rubbish.

Apologies to the 25 people who turned at 10am - There was an older posting on FB where we had not amended the time. (all cleans are now 9:30 thru to Oct)

Our next Community Beach Clean is at Walmer (Sea Cafe) on Sunday 4th March 9:30am. This is part of the National 'Great British Spring Clean).

Lots of small bits of plastic, especially fishing line found today - We have our new campaign #PlasticFreeDeal where we want all business, groups and individuals to replace three items of single use plastic. Next meeting is 13th March 7pm Dealability 

Guardians of the Deep @ Deal

We had our first low water beach ramble on bank holiday monday from the Pier to Walmer (well Pete's Cafe :) 

Well found about 6 different seedweeds and a smattering of shells and cuttlefish higher up. Had great fun trying to identify everything.

Our next ramble will be from Deal Pier to Sandown Castle will be on Sunday 24th September - Time to be confirmed

The Guardians of the Deep is a project of coastal stewardship initiated by the Kent Wildlife Trust. Deal With It is acting as a hub group for the stretch of coast from Sandown to Walmer Castles.

You can be a 'Guardian' by just registering at the Kent Wildlife Trust and doing a monthly report of what you find and see on our beach the link is here. Please put down Deal With It as your hub group but are very welcome to do it individually as well asjoining  our organised rambles, surveys, beach cleans and talks.

The Kent Wildlife Trust have two training sessions:

13th September - Dover - Study day 31 - Intro to Marine Wildlife 9am - 3pm
http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2017/09/13/study-day-31-introduction-kent%E2%80%99s-marine-wildlife?instance=0
Book Tel: 01622 662012 £28 + concessions

28th September - Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory - Identifing Marine Mammals
 Led by Jon Bramley, Regional Co-ordinator for Sea Watch Foundation. This workshop will be followed by an optional boat trip to see the seals (3:30pm-5:30pm).

The cost of the identification workshop is free thanks to HLF funding, however there will be a charge for the boat trip of £20 per person (£10 for Coastal Guardians who have attended a Coastal Guardian Introduction Workshop).

To book your place, e-mail: Fiona.white@kentwildlife.org.uk stating if you would like to join the boat trip too.

Our next Beach Clean is Sunday 17th September 9:30am meet at Deal Pier
 Part of the Marine Conservation Society's 'Great British Beach Clean'

 We are hoping have another Introductory workshop for the Guardians in October here in Deal

Guardians of Deep - Deal Beach Walk Bank Holiday Monday 28th 11am

Deal With It is working with the Kent Wildlife Trust's coastal protection project ' Guardian of the Deep' to gain knowledge, monitor and care for our stretch of the coast.

The project aims to involve local communities, businesses and visitors by raising awareness of marine habitats and promoting active and ongoing guardianship role to protect Kent’s coastal and marine wildlife for the future. Almost the entire Kent coast falls within a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Kent has six Marine Conservation Zones and the possibility of five more by 2018. Kent’s marine habitats are considered at threat from unsustainable and damaging fishing practices, invasive species, pollutants and increasing levels of recreational disturbance.

The activities within the project will raise awareness of the wildlife importance of these areas and involve volunteers in helping to protect them and promote their enjoyment.
We are going to do a regular Deal Beach Ramble (from the Pier to Walmer Castle) to see what we can find and identify on the beach.

Meet up at the Deal Pier at  low water - 11am on Bank Holiday Monday