You can help Shark Trust learn more about these gentle giants by being on the look-out for them during May-October (Basking Shark Season).

Explore the rich marine ecosystems in South West England, racing against the clock in friendly competition to discover and document as many marine species as possible. The data you collect will help scientists and conservationists monitor the health of our coastal habitats and take action to protect them.

Each year the SEA LIFE TRUST organises their global beach and waterway clean up inviting friends from around the world to sign up and take part. It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans each year and that by 2050, the oceans could have more plastic in them than fish.

Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world – save the dates in your calendar for another week of in-person and online events for all ages- This years theme is water.

Events include guided walks, boat tours, snorkelling and surfing safaris, shore watches,
nature writing workshops, marine mammal survey training, Gaelic workshops, art
exhibitions, wildlife photography and sunset bat walks.

Each year Sea Watch Foundation invite members of the public to take part in our annual citizen science event – National Whale and Dolphin Watch. Watches and surveys will be taking place across the country to create a ‘snapshot’ view of what can be seen in our UK coastal waters.

Marine week is a chance to get involved in variety of marine events organised by local coastal Wildlife Trusts.

The Great British Beach Clean is an annual week-long citizen science event in September, where volunteers clean beaches across the UK while collecting vital litter data. This data supports conservation efforts and policy changes to protect the ocean, making every cleanup a step towards reducing marine pollution.

The Big Seaweed Search is an annual citizen science project run by the Marine Conservation Society and the Natural History Museum. Volunteers across the UK help track changes in seaweed populations to understand the impacts of climate change, rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and the spread of non-native species. Seaweed plays a vital role in ocean ecosystems, producing oxygen, storing blue carbon, and protecting coastlines. Participants look for 14 key seaweed species, contributing valuable data to scientific research that informs marine conservation efforts.

The Big Microplastic Survey is a citizen science project that gathers data on microplastic pollution along UK coastlines to support scientific research and policy changes. Volunteers conduct beach surveys to record microplastic presence, helping to track its impact on marine ecosystems and food chains.

Seasearch is a volunteer project for recreational divers and snorkellers to record marine habitats, plants, and animals across the UK and Ireland. The data collected helps conservation efforts by identifying important marine areas, tracking environmental changes, and informing protection measures.

Click on 'More info' to search for a beach clean local to you that volunteers can participate in throughout the year.

The Million Mile Clean is the UK’s largest annual clean-up initiative, mobilising volunteers to tackle plastic pollution across beaches, streets, rivers, parks, and more. Running until 2030, the event aims to engage 1 million people in cleaning over 10 million miles of outdoor spaces, fostering community spirit and environmental action.

There are volunteer beach cleaning events around the country throughout the year. If you'd like to lend a hand to keep these places special, why not join in?

Your Shore Network consists of 18 community-led marine conservation groups. The groups run surveys, beach cleans and events, training their own Beach Rangers and young volunteers to take part in Cornwall Wildlife Trust citizen science projects such as Shoresearch, Seasearch and Seaquest.

Become a citizen scientist and help us learn more about sharks, skates and rays by finding and recording eggcases

By collecting litter in your local area, you can make a real difference on improving your local environment while also helping to stem the flow of plastic waste into the ocean.