Hampshire High Sheriff champions the health, wellbeing and educational benefits of Chichester Harbour

This week the High Sheriff of Hampshire, William Maltby, saw first-hand the important work carried out at Chichester Harbour Conservancy.  Chichester Harbour is a precious natural resource to Hampshire residents, both locals and further afield who come to enjoy the many opportunities for wellbeing and recreation.

The High Sheriff was struck by the breadth and scale of activities undertaken by Chichester Harbour Conservancy to benefit the natural environment, the harbour and the health, wellbeing and education of those that live near and visit the harbour.

On a rainy Monday afternoon, William and Sarah Maltby journeyed by boat to the Chichester Harbour Conservancy Education Centre.  Wrapped up against the elements, they joined the tail end of a school trip with Trosnant Primary from Havant.  The Year 2 children had spent time in the morning afloat on the solar-powered boat, the Solar Heritage, getting a unique vantage point from the water.  Their harbour learning was continued later with a practical lesson on mapping, then an outdoor art activity.

The High Sheriff was enthused by services provided by the Education Team, reaching over 9000 children and young people each year, from toddlers to A-level students and beyond.  Half of those visits are from Hampshire schools, introducing young people to science, habitats and wildlife with an opportunity to learn about coastal and environmental processes in nature’s classroom.

Richard Austen, Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s Director of Conservation outlined the challenges of the landscape adapting to climate change.  Rising sea levels with the presence of hard sea walls are squeezing out coastal habitats like saltmarshes and bird colonies.  The Maltbys were keenly interested in the efforts to protect and restore nature within Chichester Harbour.

The visit was well-timed following the launch of the Common Tern rafts (a successful seabird nesting habitat) and the Solent Seascape Project’s creation of the UK’s largest sub-tidal native oyster reef in Chichester Harbour last week.  It also came on the back of Mental Health Awareness Week and the High Sheriff was impressed with the incredible resource that Chichester Harbour and the surrounding landscape provides for health, wellbeing and recreation.

William Maltby, High Sheriff of Hampshire said:

"Attracting two million visitors a year, Chichester Harbour is an incredibly important community asset, especially for the City of Portsmouth and its neighbouring towns. 

"Fortunately, it is in good hands. Chichester Harbour Conservancy balances the sometimes conflicting demands of managing the busiest leisure harbour in Western Europe with an ambitious conservation programme. The goal is to reverse habitat by 250, preserving the harbour’s natural beauty, all against a challenging backdrop, especially rising sea levels and the effects of climate change."

Find out more about Chichester Harbour Conservancy at www.conservancy.co.uk