Greening the post-Covid Recovery
In May the Committee held a session on the environmental implications of the Covid-19 crisis. Witnesses stressed how critical it would be to align the post-crisis recovery stimulus with the UK’s goals on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development – given the short window of opportunity remaining to keep global temperature rises to a manageable level. The Committee has since agreed to launch an inquiry looking at how to align any post-pandemic economic stimulus package with the UK’s climate and environment goals.
Follow this link to find out more about the Inquiry and Call for evidence
Chichester Harbour Walks
As restrictions ease and the weather here remains mostly good, people are getting out and about to enjoy their time in the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Whatever our interests we all should remain vigilant and be respectful of social distancing guidelines. Things are changing week by week and the hope is that everyone can find their bit of space to follow their hobby whether it is on the land, sitting to enjoy the view with a picnic, or on the water, paddleboarding, sailing or kayaking
If you prefer to walk round Chichester Harbour, the latest self-guided walks are downloadable here:
Chidham Circular (9km / 6 miles): A shoreline and countryside walk of the Chidham peninsula in the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with great views of the Bosham and Thorney channels and to the Harbour entrance. The middle section of the walk is tidal so check when high tide is before setting out and aim to reach that section at half tide if timings permit.
Easier Access Route - Itchenor (1.6km / 1 mile)
Begin in the Itchenor car park and follow the John Davis permissive path to the shoreline. Turn left and follow the path to a viewpoint looking across the Harbour to the Bosham Channel. Return the same way if you are using a wheelchair, or if not you can go via a path through the boatyard to reach the viewing platform by the Harbour Office.
Easier Access route - Emsworth (1.6km / 1 mile)
A stroll on good paths around the thriving Harbourside settlement of Emsworth with a choice of cafés and pubs. Check for high tide in order to
see the water and boating activity.
More pdfs will be posted on the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website when they are ready.
Please park your car with respect to the environment, businesses and residents. There has been a rise in a new phenomenon called ‘fly parking’ where cars are left on any bit of verge or even tight into hedges. Some of these seemingly empty spaces may still be homes to breeding birds as the nesting season isn’t quite over and grass verges are often managed for wildflowers, a source of seed and food for wildlife as the summer progresses. Help protect these spaces by parking only in designated locations. Why not park in Chichester and then cycle down to West Wittering beach along the quiet route of the Salterns Way or park in Havant and cycle down the similarly enjoyable Haying Billy route to the beach on Hayling sea front?
RSPB courses for schools
Did you know the RSPB run courses for schools in Pagham Harbour and Medmerry? During the Covid-19 crisis it seems inappropriate to encourage people to visit the sites, but telling you a bit more about what is available for schools spreads the word about how valuable both sites are as natural resources for the Manhood Peninsula.
Follow this link to find out what your children and grand children could be doing as part of school programs with the RSPB in the Pagham Harbour and Medmerry reserves.
Highly Protected Marine Areas
An independent review led by former Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon and published on Mon 8 June, World Ocean Day 2020, is calling for the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters. The review was commissioned on last year’s world ocean day by then Environment Secretary Michael Gove as part of the Government’s drive to protect our waters.
These highly protected marine areas would enable a greater recovery of the marine ecosystem and enhance the Government’s commitment to a national ‘Blue Belt’, which has already seen an area of 92,000 square km protected - 40% of English seas.
Follow this link to read more about the proposed HPMAs
'Sea for Yourself'
'Sea for Yourself' is a new marketing campaign launched by Defra in March 2020 and supported by Seafish that aims to get more of the British public eating fish. One of the key messages of the campaign is that you can get all the benefits of eating lovely fresh fish by cooking it yourself while trying out interesting and exciting recipes.
The Sea's the day project has recipe cards willingly provided by local eateries and suppliers to get you started. You can find the recipe cards in the link in the box at the bottom of this page.
Follow this link to find out more about what Seafish has to say about the 'Sea for Yourself' campaign.
Follow these links to meet some local suppliers:
Chichester Harbour April
The Government has instructed us to practice social distancing to help manage the spread of coronavirus. Time on our own is something we don't always get - why not take the opportunity to stop and appreciate the coming of spring in your own garden.
Whether you live near Chichester Harbour or further away here are five things you could stop to notice and do this month
- Exercise: walking is the most natural form of exercise
Get the most out of your exercise.
Please only walk from your home, do not travel. We are advised to only go out for exercise once a day so make it count. Try intervals of fast and slow walking or mix your walking with some jogging building it up over time.
If you have some walking poles you can use them to bring your arms into practice - keep them at a 45 degree angle pointing behind you and try not to plant the ends of the poles forward of your feet. At the end of your walk ‘salute the sun’! Raise your arms up above your head, take a deep breath and then, while breathing back out, bring your arms back down in a wide arc either side of your body. It’ll bring a smile to your face.
- April is THE month for birdsong
Our nesters are back now and the males are finding and keeping territory and working to attract a mate. Just stop and listen to the birdsong and notice where it is coming from. Soon you will be aware of all those singing birds all around you that you can’t see. If you are starting out on this, look up online e.g. at RSPB, the songs of the robin (slightly melancholic), blackbird (short and melodic song, no more than 5 seconds), great tit (squeaky bicycle pump), greenfinch (Star Wars sabre), chaffinch, (cricketer’s run and bowl).
- Some wildflowers and trees are flowering now
Notice the different colours and count the number of petals to each type of flower. Set up a new photo album on your phone for wildflower pictures. You can use Google reverse images or one of the may wildflower ID sites online to help identify them.
- Plant something
If you have a garden then sprinkle some wildflowers and veggie seed now or plant in a pot. Don’t worry if they get some damage by nibbling – it shows your garden is rich for nature!
Make sure you have a hole in your fence or wall near ground level so that hedgehogs can pass through. Make a pledge to garden for wildlife, especially if you live in the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Everyone who buys a home in the AONB should pledge to garden for wildlife right at the start when they sign on the dotted line!
If you are looking after youngsters why not generate a treasure hunt around your garden.
Rather than make a list of specific things let the children use their imagination by making a list such as finding something smooth, something green, something light, something a bird might like, something special.
Have fun and notice how being outdoors can really lift your spirits. If you do find yourself brooding on things that are worrying you as you walk along, just stop, look up to the sky and straight away you will notice that this small movement will stop and break your train of thought. Give it a try!
Selsey Photo Archive Project
The Selsey Photo Archive Project is a community driven project put together by the Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group. The project was created using funding provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and supported by Selsey Town Council.
It's aim is to make images of the town’s past available to a wide audience and encourage people to celebrate and engage with Selsey’s unique history.
Follow this link to see the images and stories in the Selsey Photo Archive
Benefits of Coastal Paths
Defra have published new figures showcasing the health and economic benefits of walking on England’s coastal paths. Their press release states that nearly 30 million walks demonstrates huge popularity of England's coastal paths.
Follow this link to read the Defra press release about the benefits of England's Coastal Paths
National Bus Strategy
The Campaign for Better Transport has produced a report showing that once again funding for buses has decreased, with 243 services around the country having been lost or reduced in the past year. But next year could be different: with the Government promising a National Bus Strategy and new multi-year funding settlement, there’s a chance to set buses on the road to a brighter future.
Follow this link to find out more about the National Bus Strategy and new funding for bus services
RSPB Medmerry