One of the biggest challenges about the sea is that most people can only see the surface. So, the incredible wildlife that lives below its surface is invisible to the naked eye.
So how do help the people of Plymouth, and eventually, the world to see how important and beautiful Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP) is?
For us this starts in school, the development of curiosity in children and young people is so important. This is exactly why we have worked with the Ocean Conservation Trust to bring the ‘Sea on our School’ programme, which has reached 31 schools within the first year, and 970 young students. Together we have inspired pupils to care about our natural world to bridge a vitally important connection.
As digital technology and the global reach of social media has gone from strength-to-strength people are now able to see so much of the awe and majesty of the creatures of the ocean. We were (and still are) thrilled to show you the marine ecosystem through our nature projects that highlights certain species. Our ‘Little Rays of Hope’ project followed the growth of spotted rays from eggcase to pups, which proved so popular we ended up with a spot in a Countryfile episode as we released the rays into the National Marine Park. More projects like that to come soon…
Our Coastal Ranger team brings the magic of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park to life by engaging the community in coastal cleans, history walks, and rockpool safaris that spark curiosity and inspire action. Whether it’s rolling up sleeves to tidy our shores, uncovering fascinating local stories, or discovering the weird and wonderful creatures in our rockpools, these hands-on experiences nurture a real sense of wonder and belonging. By connecting people with the coast in fun and meaningful ways, our Rangers encourage everyone to become passionate “marine citizens,” helping to protect and cherish our blue backyard for generations to come. Within the first year of PSNMP, we have collected 3+ tonnes of marine waste, conducted 15 citizen science surveys and have lead 627 volunteers in restoring natural/historic sites across Plymouth.
As a movement we look at how we can encourage, engage and empower people. By sharing the wonders of the UK’s first National Marine Park—whether that’s through hands-on experiences, inspiring stories, or exciting digital projects—we hope to ignite a lifelong love for our marine environment. It’s about giving everyone the chance to discover just how incredible our blue space is, and showing that every small action, from picking up litter to sharing a photo, really does make a difference. Together, we can ensure Plymouth Sound National Marine Park remains a source of wonder, pride, and inspiration for generations to come.