Ranger Round-up: September
- Blog
Ever wondered what Marine Park Rangers do?
September was packed with activities across Plymouth. From litter picks and wildlife surveys to community events and guided walks, our Rangers spent the month helping people connect with the UK’s first National Marine Park.
Here’s a look at what we achieved together.
September at a Glance
In September, the Ranger team:
- Engaged with 544 people
- Worked with 39 volunteers
- Collected 74.8kg of litter
- Filled 25 bags of rubbish
- Travelled 237.75km while delivering activities
Hosted events, walks, coastal cleans and nature activities across Plymouth
Every activity helped people enjoy, learn about and care for Plymouth Sound.
Where Did We Visit?
The Ranger team delivered activities across Plymouth, including:
- Tinside
- Mount Batten
- Firestone Bay
- Devil’s Point
- Ernesettle Creek
- Blagdon’s Meadow
- Devonport Park
- The Barbican
- Southway
- University of Plymouth
Every activity helped people enjoy, learn about and care for Plymouth Sound.
By bringing activities to different neighbourhoods, we helped more people discover the National Marine Park on their doorstep.
Helping Keep Plymouth’s
Coastline Clean
One of the biggest ways people support the Marine Park is by joining a litter pick.
This month, Rangers and volunteers worked together to remove 74.8kg of litter from beaches, waterfronts and green spaces.
That rubbish can harm wildlife, damage habitats and eventually end up in the sea. By removing it, we’re helping create cleaner and safer spaces for both people and nature.
A standout effort took place at Kinterbury Creek, where volunteers collected an incredible 53kg of litter in a single session.
A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time to help.
How Many People
Took Part?
The Ranger team delivered activities across Plymouth, including:
Throughout September, 544 people joined Ranger-led activities.
Some attended walks and wildlife events, while others joined community sessions, litter picks and family-friendly activities.
The support from local people shows just how much Plymouth cares about its marine environment.
Meet the Marine Park
The Meet the Marine Park programme continued to visit communities across Plymouth.
We visited places including:
- Devonport Park
- The Wolseley Trust
- University of Plymouth
- Community venues across the city
These visits gave people the chance to learn more about Plymouth Sound, local marine wildlife and ways to get involved.
Some visitors were hearing about the National Marine Park for the first time. Others shared their own stories and memories of Plymouth’s waterfront.
Discovering Wildlife
and Nature
September also gave people the chance to explore the natural world around them.
Highlights included:
- A foraging walk from Southway to the Sea
- A Firestone Bay BioBlitz and rockpool event
- A Blue Mind wellbeing session at Devil’s Point
- An Ernesettle history walk
The Ranger team also carried out Living Seawall surveys on the Barbican, helping us learn more about marine life living in Plymouth Sound.
A Busy Month at Seafest
One of the month’s biggest events was Seafest.
Around 350 people visited our team to tell us how salty they are amongst the celebrations of Plymouth’s connection to sea.
The team also supported maritime heritage activities, including free Mount Edgcumbe House tours that helped people learn more about the stories, places and people that have shaped Plymouth’s waterfront.
How Can You Get Involved?
There are lots of ways to get involved with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
You can:
- Join a coastal clean
- Attend a community event
- Take part in a guided walk
- Volunteer with the Ranger team
- Learn about local wildlife
- Share your love of Plymouth Sound with friends and family
Every action, big or small, helps make a difference. Check out the Salty Scale for a list of events to can take part in.
Thank You
September showed what can happen when Plymouth’s salty community comes together.
Thanks to our volunteers, partners and everyone who attended an activity, we removed litter, connected hundreds of people with nature and helped care for Plymouth Sound.
We can’t wait to see what next month brings.
Want to join us? Visit our Salty Scale, follow Plymouth Sound National Marine Park on social media and sign up to our monthly newsletter to find upcoming activities, volunteering opportunities and ways to connect with the water.