Frequency: Up to you, but surveys run around once a month
Location: Various locations across Kent's coastline
Why do we need you?
Shoresearch volunteer citizen scientists collect data across intertidal zones along the Kent coast which help to provide invaluable insights into the health of our coastal ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Here in Kent, we utilise the intertidal rocky shore survey technique, owing to our internationally important chalk reefs. We carry out these surveys throughout the year all around Kent's magnificent coastline. Our main aim is to record the species we find along our coast (species presence surveys). We also carry out more detailed surveys looking at species abundance and invasive non-native species. The data we collect goes into The Wildlife Trust's National data base which can be used to inform marine conservation decisions. By collecting vital data, the project helps safeguard the UK’s coastal environments for future generations.
Shoresearch surveys in Kent are run by Kent Wildlife Trust throughout the year, usually with one survey taking place a month. They are the perfect opportunity for anyone to get involved in the marine environment and start having fun identifying and recording the animals and algae communities found on our rocky shores. You are guaranteed to meet new and interesting people with a wealth of knowledge and experience!
Surveying for marine protected areas
As well as joining one of our Shoresearch events, you can help us by keeping an eye out for some key species that we are particularly interested in receiving records for.
There are some plants and animals that we would be particularly interested in hearing about, and the Beneath the Water guide describes this selection of species, which are all important to help us assess the health of our coastal ecosystems. Some are rare in south east England, some have been introduced from other parts of the world and are becoming invasive, while others are native to Britain but spreading because of warming sea temperatures.
More detailed shore surveys
The Shoresearch form can be used to record comprehensive information, or simply to list species found at a particular site on a particular day.
If you don’t want to do something so formal, please just let us know about anything interesting that you find. Simply send us an email saying what you’ve found, the date and its location – photographs are also always very welcome!
Join Us
Kent Wildlife Trust is inviting new volunteers to join our mission to protect and monitor Kent’s coastal ecosystems. If you’re interested in participating in Shoresearch, please contact Max Renton at [email protected].
Do-it-yourself!
Together with Natural England and Medway Swale Estuary Partnership we've produced a range of videos and booklets to help you properly identify and report some of the invasive non-native species appearing across our coastline. View and download them below...
If you spot any of the species identified in our booklet or videos, please report them to Medway Swale Estuary Partnership or directly to irecord including a photo and GPS position/OS grid reference.
In addition to the organised survey events, we are very keen to encourage people out on the shore at any time to fill in a Shoresearch form and send it to us.
