Solent Seascape Project

04/09/2026

We’re very excited to announce that Richard Walters is back with us for an extended Solent Seascape Artist Residency! 🎉⁠
⁠
To celebrate, we've release a new film, captured as Richard was creating Songs from the Solent – an album inspired by the sounds and voices of the Solent, and the vital habitats that are found here. 📽️⁠
⁠
🔗⁠ You can watch the full version of ‘Richard’s Story’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBE_O35LHXI&t=1s and find out more about what’s coming next at https://solentseascape.com/sounds-of-the-solent-continue-as-richard-walters-extends-artist-residency/
⁠
Songs from the Solent is available to stream and download now, with 25% of proceeds going towards vital restoration in the Solent.⁠
⁠
With thanks to Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme for their support.⁠
⁠

04/09/2026

📆Date for your diary📆
🦪🦪🦪Oyster boat trip with the Solent Seascape Project

Hop aboard our solar-powered tour boat to sail over the restored oyster reef and find out all about oyster restoration in Chichester Harbour and beyond.

Book here 👇
https://www.ticketsource.com/boat-trips-chichester-harbour/oyster-restoration-special-boat-trip-with-the-solent-seascape-project-departing-itchenor/e-djqxlk

04/09/2026

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome Knightwood School on a pilot Marine Biology field trip focused on the incredible restoration work taking place across the Solent 🌊💪🏾

This pilot was funded by Blue Marine Foundation and co-delivered with Calshot. The collaboration aims to improve through hands-on exploration, fostering hope and strengthening connection to the sea and nature among the next generation.

The children experienced the wonders beneath the waves through our exciting seine netting activity. We saw crabs, plenty of fish, comb jellies, a jellyfish and more! 🦀🐟🪼

The Solent Seascape Project is the first initiative of its kind in the UK, delivering seascape-scale restoration. It’s a collaborative, long-term effort restoring multiple habitats, including seabird nesting sites, seagrass meadows, saltmarsh, and oyster reefs. 🌊🦪🌱🦆

At Calshot, the children experienced these habitats first-hand:

✅Visiting the RSPB seabird restoration site and observing oystercatcher nesting platforms

✅Learning about oyster reef restoration directly from the scientists involved (they even held and smelled the oysters!)

✅Discovering seagrass restoration and handling the tools used to plant seagrass seeds (thank you Hampshire Wight Wildife Trust and Project Seagrass for lending these!)

The children were truly in for a treat, with a fantastic team ready to share their passion and inspire the next generation.
Alongside our Environmental Educators, we welcomed expert guest speakers and activity facilitators from Blue Marine Foundation. It was also great to have Earth Minutes—a creative impact studio using storytelling to drive environmental and social change—join us on the day. 🙏🏼

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this project possible. We’re excited to see how we can scale its impact moving forward! 🥳💪🏻



Thanks also to:

Richard Walters for the beautiful music “Songs form the Solent” which we played on the day, Mark Appleton and Wez Smith from RSPB, Andy and other amazing volunteers involved in the various restoration projects. 🥰

04/09/2026

🌊🦐 Not long to go until our Seafood Festival! 🦪🎶

We’re getting excited for the end of this month, when we’ll be bringing together live music from local musicians, local businesses, and inspiring presentations from conservation projects happening around Chichester Harbour.

And, of course, there’ll be plenty of seafood! 🦀🐟 After last year, we’ve made sure we’re fully stocked this time!

Here’s a little sneak peek at just a couple of the fantastic people and organisations who’ll be joining us. There’s plenty more in store, so keep an eye out for further announcements!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌊💙

-

21/08/2026

And away they go!! 🦪

Native oysters added to the new reef in Chichester Harbour earlier this year, as part of the Solent Seascape Project, and now working hard to clean water and provide homes for other species.

Blue Marine Foundation

💦🦪SPLASH!🦪💦

Throwback to the moment that 20,000 native oysters were deployed onto the Solent Seascape Project oyster reef restoration in Chichester Harbour.

19/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Sea View Yacht Club last Thursday for our Protecting Seagrass in Priory Bay: Next Steps Workshop 🌱

Building on the initial results of the community survey, we worked together to map out the next steps for this project to protect Priory Bay's important seagrass meadows whilst also supporting boating in the bay.

If you are interested in helping to shape the project but were unable to make the workshop you can still share your views in our survey which will remain open until the 31st August: https://forms.office.com/e/21Zv0Ven3v

This work is being undertaken as part of the Solent Seascape Project the first project of its kind in the UK to initiate seascape-scale restoration.

Solent Seascape Project | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

19/08/2026

The Solent is a beautiful place, both above and below the water, so this , we thought we’d share some photos of this special seascape, taken by the team. 📸

Bonus points for guessing the locations! 📍

We’d love to see your favourite place in the Solent. Share your photography with us in the comments below or tag us in a post.

09/08/2026

How does a biodegradable, potato starch Tern help bring back threatened seabirds to the Solent? 🪶⁠
⁠
Our partner, RSPB England, uses 3D printed ‘decoys’ across the Solent to help seabirds such as Sandwich Terns, Little Terns, Black-headed Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls and Common Terns find safe places to nest. ⁠
⁠
So far, they’ve been successfully used on rafts in Chichester Harbour, Langstone Harbour and Medmerry Nature Reserve along the Solent. ⁠
⁠
To give seabirds the best possible chance, we use decoys in combination with other protection measures, such as predator control, habitat enhancement, and the use of vocal attractants (lures).⁠
⁠
Want to find out more about our work to help seabirds? Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-xwjD2KMvI&t=12s where you can watch our short film 🔗⁠
⁠
📸 Mark Appleton, Holly Hill, Wez Smith

07/08/2026

📣 Calling all Islanders 📣⁠

All those who live and visit the Isle of Wight know it’s a special place. From sweeping downland to dramatic cliffs, the Island is internationally recognised for its important habitats and designated as a UNESCO Biosphere.⁠
⁠
But what about our seas? Our waters have some of the most important habitats for flighting climate change and are home to amazing species, including sharks, rays and seahorses. But we need your help to protect them.⁠
⁠
Across the Island, the Solent Seascape Project is working to restore lost seagrass meadows and disappearing saltmarsh and we’re looking for volunteers that are Island-based to be Marine Champions.⁠
⁠
Some of the things you might be doing (no set hours - join when you’re available):⁠
🦀 Helping with intertidal surveys to survey the species present⁠
🐟 Gathering important data to help support conservation efforts⁠
🌱 Engage with the local community via events, talks and workshops⁠
🌊 Champion key messages to encourage positive behavioural change⁠
⁠
No special skills needed, just a love of our Solent seas and an Isle of Wight postcode!⁠
⁠
Interested? Find out more and sign up at https://solentseascape.com/get-involved/general-volunteering/ 🔗⁠
⁠
Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve