SECRETS OF THE SOLENT: A REFLECTION Encouraging meaningful change WILDLIFE The coasts and seas of our region are teeming with wonderful wildlife and valuable habitats, but to keep them that way requires a united effort. Our daily lives have an enormous impact on our seas - most of Beach clean, Jason Allen (Southern Co-op) the pollution found there originates on land, and the ways in which we use the water can harm marine species and habitats. This means we all have the power to make a difference if we work together. Shortly after its creation, the project launched Wilder Solent, a campaign designed to help people make small changes in their everyday lives to benefit the local marine environment. Simple adjustments ranged from pledging to use environmentally friendly cleaning products to committing to a two-minute beach clean once a week. Secrets of the Solent also partnered with Hampshire Fare to raise awareness about sustainable seafood, providing guidance for retailers, hospitality, and consumers to choose seasonal, sustainable options and discover what is caught locally. The project also worked closely with the boating community to encourage the adoption of greener practices and installed three litter-collecting Seabins in marinas, raising awareness of the dramatic impact plastic can have on the health of our seas. Fostering an active community The public played an invaluable role within Secrets of the Solent – from taking part in workshops, voting for wildlife murals, attending exhibitions and events, to conducting citizen science. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that engaged with or took part in the project, particularly our fantastic volunteers. During its four- year span, we recruited and trained 240 Marine Champions and 33 Marine Ambassadors. With their help, we have showcased our work at many public events, given talks to local groups and sailing clubs, undertaken wildlife safaris on ferry crossings, and reached out to local communities across the region. Their dedication and enthusiasm has been the backbone of Secrets of the Solent, and we couldn’t have done it without them. Although the project is ending, we hope people will continue to work for a Wilder Solent. To learn more about our region’s waters and how you can protect them, visit hiwwt.org.uk/wildersolent 30 solenthandbook.com