Connect with YOUR Coastal Community!

With people up and down our coast stuck inside recently, unable to meet up with friends and family, this is the time for you to link up online!

To this end the East Grampian Coastal Partnership (EGCP) is seeking to build connections between people and communities along the coast with support from Tay Estuary Forum (TEF).

The ‘EGCP Coastal Connects’ project seeks to develop an online coastal community network to communicate information of interest so all ages: including stories, recommendations, recipes, photographs and tips amongst many other things. They have developed a new website forum: www.egcpcoastalconnects.com and a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/egcpcoastal connects

Why not join and share information about this coastline with everyone!

If you have any pics, tips and tales to share, then we would love to hear from you! It could be about your work, a favourite walk or bike ride, favourite views or a wildlife experience. Basically, anything to do with the Angus and Aberdeenshire coast’.

The idea is to build an online catalogue of entries then to convert this into maps and guides for wider use over time.

A large fire took hold of the Tay Reed beds near Errol on Monday 27th April, widely-reported by local and national media (links below).

VIDEO: Helicopter drops water from the air to tame fire along banks of River Tay in Perthshire

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-52449975

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/dozens-firefighters-battle-major-fire-river-tay-perthshire-which-can-be-seen-50-miles-away-edinburgh-2551840

There is no doubt this fire will have had a significant impact on this season’s bird populations on the Tay Reed Beds, for which it holds international importance, particularly as it took place during nesting season, but the area is dynamic and will recover- the concern is that wildfires become an increasingly common event under climate change, with fire-seasons lasting longer globally, putting pressure on fire-fighting resources to preserve our moorland, forest and heathland environments, which we have seen highlighted several times in recent years in the UK, e.g. on Saddleworth Moor in 2018. When fires like this occur, there is an opportunity to learn how to support and strengthen our prevention, response and recovery efforts and techniques, in adapting longer-term to a warming climate. Tay Estuary Forum, 29-4-20.

 CP COASTAL consultation Tay Estuary Forum

TEF members are encouraged to respond to the consultation plan and take the opportunity to help shape the future work of Crown Estate Scotland. More information on how to respond can be found by clicking the link above. This report is now out to consultation until 25 November 2019. The views and feedback received will be used to finalise the Corporate Plan which will be launched in April 2020.

Click on the link below to read all about this year’s Angus Coastal Festival, after a very successful event last year. TEF are taking part and we look forward to seeing you there!

INFORMATION HERE

Thanks for your continuing support and very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2019!!

Scotland’s vision is for clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas that are managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people. This is only achievable through strong national action and international cooperation.

Scotland’s International Marine Conference, held on 20-21 February 2019 at University of Strathclyde, the Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow,  will focus on current national and international actions to protect the marine environment. Through discussions it will aim to identify emerging threats to our seas and consider what new measures are required to protect the marine environment for future generations. Register here

See the series of exciting events here

7-17th September 2018–  Many wonderful opportunities to get up close with your coastline and discover new stories, sights and species-  see what appeals to you from the extensive programme!!

The Angus Coastal Festival is an opportunity to explore the hidden coastal corners of Angus and discover the county’s rich natural history. Explore golden beaches, rock pools, wide expanses of sand dunes and flower-strewn cliffs.

The festival is being led by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership’s Marine & Coastal Group and events run for 10 days from the 7 to 17 September. A number of events run for the entire month of September.

Please see the Programme of Events for more information, confirmed locations and booking instructions. Almost all of the events are free, so please book a place quickly!

Community approaches to coastal and marine planning

Download the 2018 conference flier

Following last year’s successful 1st joint Tay and Forth Estuary Annual Conference, held in Dundee, this year it’s the Forth Estuary Forum’s turn to host in the fantastic setting of the National Museum of Scotland on 28th September 2018. For booking and programme details please click here

We look forward to seeing you there!

We want you to tell us about your favourite wildlife watching spots in the South Esk. From established visitor sites to “Hidden Gems” we’d like to know.

The newly-launched South Esk  catchment consultation allows you to tell us about your favourite wildlife hotspots and view points. We also want to know if you walk or cycle to any of the sites where you watch wildlife. Do you visit one site on route to another? We’d like to know.

The information gathered in this consultation will be used by the River South Esk Catchment Partnership to understand how residents and visitors in the catchment enjoy wildlife and how sustainable travel can be made easier. Click here for more info or contact info@riversouthesk.org