The unique habitats of Chichester Harbour are under pressure from many angles; there has never been a more important time to protect and restore nature within Chichester Harbour. You can directly help protect this precious environment by joining or donating to the Chichester Harbour Friends, a registered charity that aims to protect and improve the environment of Chichester Harbour.
What do the Chichester Harbour Friends do?
The Chichester Harbour Friends work closely with Chichester Harbour Conservancy, supporting a range of activities including wildlife research, habitat enhancement, tree and hedgerow planting, footpath maintenance, education, interpretation and publications. The Friends are also represented on the Advisory Committee to the Conservancy. Here are a few highlights:
Volunteer Conservation Work
Members/supporters of the Chichester Harbour Friends take part in regular conservation work parties, throughout the year. Led by our Chichester Harbour team of rangers, tasks include coppicing, bramble clearance, orchid monitoring, tree planting, litter picking and more.
The Return of the Tern Project
In 2021 the Chichester Harbour Friends secured funding for a project to increase seabird breeding habitat for terns in Chichester Harbour.
Rafts were deployed for Common Terns to nest on and a shingle island recharged to provide breeding ground for Little Terns.
Education
The Chichester Harbour Friends provide valuable support to our Education Centre, allowing local schools and communities to access and learn about our precious harbour environments. The education activities their funding supports includes:
- Junior Conservancy – debating workshops around coastal themes.
- Travel Grant – travel costs for school trips.
- Get Afloat – disadvantaged children and adults on educational boat trips on Solar Heritage.
- Harbour Schools – walks with local schools to learn about their harbour environment.
We are grateful to the Chichester Harbour Friends for their continued support of our work. New members of “The Friends” are always made welcome and will be kept informed of events and activities in the harbour by newsletter.