Discover the Hidden Treasures of our coastal wildlife, heritage, and stories, and explore new parts of our natural environment.
As we draw close to the end of march, we enter the Easter holidays. This time of year, brings warmer temperatures and longer days, so what can you plan on doing to keep your little ones busy and shake off those sugar rushes? This year, we have the perfect solution to turn your Easter holiday into an unforgettable exploration of nature and heritage while keeping everyone engaged and entertained.
SeaScapes
SeaScapes is a landscape partnership project and is the first to be focussed on the coast, it is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the SeaScapes partners. The project covers the coastline between the Tyne and the tees rivers. SeaScapes is not just any landscape partnership; it’s an initiative focused on preserving and celebrating the natural, cultural, and built heritage of the Durham Heritage Coast.
The project has a wide range of around 20 partners, including four councils: Durham County Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council, along with a range of archaeological, environmental and charitable partners including the National Trust and the Durham Wildlife Trust. From restoring historic sites to engaging local communities in volunteer research and biodiversity recording, SeaScapes offers a diverse range of activities for families to get involved in.
SeaScapes Coastal App
Seascapes have launched an exciting new app that can get you exploring the coast and learning the beauty of our natural world as well as some often-missed treasures. The app is like having your own portable tour guide at your fingertips. The app showcases the coast, its history and wildlife from the Tyne to the Tees.
All you need to do to use the app is walk around different locations along the coast and unlock new information and it’s just that simple. Once the app is loaded on your mobile phone, the app will ping the phone at key locations along the coast. At each location, the initial screen will tell you about the place and its point of interest, from which you can do a deeper dive into the information.
Reading the Rocks
If you or your kids are more interested in geology and all about rocks this is for you. Developed as part of the SeaScapes project, this site uses 3D tours, videos, diagrams, and online resources, to enable you to take a walk on the coast and delve deep into the geological secrets of beach. From ancient limestone formations to evidence of past industries and wars, ‘Reading the Rocks’ provides a fascinating glimpse into the geological history of the region.
And with geology now being introduced as a subject in many county Durham schools this is the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty and dig in to learning whilst having fun.
Why is this important?
It’s crucial to acknowledge the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on our beloved seascapes. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification are just a few of the effects due to climate change that threaten our coastal ecosystems.
Initiatives like SeaScapes play a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of coastal conservation in the face of climate change. By learning all about and engaging with our coast and related initiatives, we can strengthen our connection to our coasts and surrounding areas. Understanding why our coasts are important Is crucial to knowing how we can get involved and reduce the impacts of climate change.
So why not take this opportunity to get out and explore, burn off the sugar high from all the chocolate eggs and get learning with your family. Or just explore by yourself and take in the beauty and grace of our natural world. Whether you’re exploring the rugged coastline, uncovering the secrets of ancient rocks, or simply soaking in the beauty of nature, SeaScapes offers endless opportunities for adventure and learning.
To download the app, visit your favourite app store and search for ‘Seascapes Coastal App’.
Make sure to check out the Reading the Rocks website. And to find out more about SeaScapes visit the Explore SeaScapes website
