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South Devon Marine Stranding Network Volunteer Training Day – Wembury Marine Centre
October 26 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Join the Wembury Marine Centre team for this day long session, which will consist of a morning indoor session learning about; the Marine Strandings Network is and how it works; Cetacean (dolphin, whales and porpoise) identification; health and safety and how to use our recording forms to gather the vital records we need.
In the afternoon you will head down to the beach to run a simulated dead stranding using life-sized model of a dolphin, porpoise, and seal to train you in recording, health and safety, and retrieval procedures. This will be a fun day, but with a serious purpose.
The training costs £15 and booking is essential as places are limited. At the end of the day, you will complete a registration form to join Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network (MSN) and receive a digital training pack to take home with you.
You will need to bring your own lunch, and be sure to bring warm clothes, water proofs and sensible shoes with you for the afternoon outdoor session.
PLEASE NOTE: This training is for (adult) Devon residents who will volunteer to attend strandings along the South Devon coastline. We will be organising a separate course for Devon residents wishing to attend strandings along the North devon coastline.
Wembury Beach car park is owned by the National Trust and parking costs £6/day for non-members. Please bring correct change with you as cards are not accepted and there is very little signal to pay by phone.
Important Accessibility Information
The event takes place on Wembury beach and will lead you ~200m over the rocky foreshore. There are steep unguarded edges along the coast. You should expect to be walking over slippery seaweed-covered rocks, sand, and other uneven ground. Please dress appropriately – be prepared for unpredictable weather and remember that rocks can be sharp so wearing thick-soled footwear with good grips is essential. There is accessible parking at the centre but no wheelchair access to the beach. There are accessible toilets at the start point but the group will be a 15-minute walk away from these during the event. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 1st May to 30th September though assistance dogs are allowed all year round. However, the rocky terrain may not be safe for them.
We welcome attendees with an interest in finding out more about local marine life and are keen to learn or improve their identification and rockpooling skills. Instruction is provided verbally by a group leader in English within an outdoor setting where there may be background noise (wind or rain). Printed copies of some information can be made available with advance notice. The event takes place in a popular public place but is not usually crowded once we start rockpooling. Flash photography may be used by staff and participants but is not usually noticeable in daylight. Noise cancelling ear muffs can only be used if the attendee has someone with them who is able to listen and interpret the instructions for them.
