The ‘Coast Care’ initiative area is the coastal landscape from Amble in the south, to Berwick in the north, stretching west as far as Lowick, Belford and Alnwick. It supports trains and resources volunteers so that local people, communities and visitors are able to contribute to the management, conservation and development of our amazing natural and cultural heritage.

Volunteers look after the sweeping sandy beaches, rolling dunes, historic buildings, village greens and community spaces, farmlands and grasslands that make up our stunning coastal environment.

Rob, who grew up in Berwick, spending many of his summers enjoying the coastline, was educated at Berwick Middle School and Berwick Academy and The University of Cumbria graduating in 2019 with a BSc in Animal Conservation Science.

This was followed by a period volunteering with the National Trust at Strangford Lough and Ards Peninsula (just outside Belfast) where he took part in practical conservation tasks such as scrub clearance, moving livestock around islands within the Lough and traditional heritage skills such as hedge laying and drystone walling, before taking up his new role with the Coast Care team at the start of this month.

Speaking about his appointment Rob says: “Obviously I’m biased, but Northumberland is by far one of the best places in the UK and I am lucky to be involved in this exciting conservation project. I can’t wait to get involved in conservation in my local area and meet all the volunteers.”

Meanwhile, Becky Waring, Coast Care Initiative Manager says: “Rob is a great addition to the Coast Care team. As the initiative delivers a huge range of opportunities, helping people access training and skills development, and resourcing and supporting existing volunteer groups, his own experience as a volunteer will prove to be invaluable, coupled with his knowledge and enthusiasm for environmental and wildlife conservation. 

“As the initiative goes from strength to strength with more volunteers joining up, Rob is looking forward to working with the volunteers on some fantastic project across this amazing stretch of coastline.” 

Rob will be leading conservation tasks throughout the course of this year, so why not sign up for one of the tasks by visiting www.coast-care.co.uk or pop along and meet him at one of the monthly coffee mornings held in the Seahouses Volunteer Centre.

You can also follow the Coast Care initiative on Facebook www.facebook.com/Coast-Care-Northumberland.

The initiative team, based at Seahouses is supported thanks to money raised by National Lottery players through a grant of £522,600 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and is organised by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, the Northumberland Coast AONB partnership and Seahouses Development Trust.