New Coastal Ranger to lead guided walks of Cleethorpes Nature Reserve

The walks, led by newly-appointed ranger Josh Forrester, will give residents and visitors the chance to explore a section of the Cleethorpes saltmarsh and surrounding habitats. They will last no longer than 90 minutes and will begin and end close to public facilities.

The aim is to introduce people to the importance of this protected landscape, which forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's a chance to learn about why our coastline is legally protected, what makes it special in terms of wildlife and habitat and how we can all play a role in helping to care for it.

If you didn’t already know it, Cleethorpes is the starting point for a nature reserve that covers more than 30km of the Lincolnshire coastline. The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (LCCNNR), is a special landscape covering an area equivalent to 4,000 football pitches, and containing a rich variety of sand dunes.

The LCCNNR was the first in the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. It begins behind Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, and brings together North East Lincolnshire’s own local nature reserve, which is already recognised as a wildlife haven of international importance with SSSI/SPA/SAC status, with the existing Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserves.

This is all land that is managed for nature conservation, supporting many breeding and over-wintering birds, natterjack toads, special plants and insects. The site is the ninth largest National Nature Reserve of the 220 sites in England.

Josh said: “The walks are an opportunity to share enthusiasm for our coastline and to build relationships with those who visit. These are special areas of nature that need to be protected but also enjoyed, and so the walks will be informal, friendly and for all levels of knowledge.

“We want people to enjoy the beauty of the coastline but also to understand what makes it so special and how we can all play a part in protecting it,” he added.

The first walk will take place on Wednesday May 21 beginning at 9am until 10.30am. it will be a short circular walk, starting and finishing behind Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.

If you miss this one, then the second guided walk will take place on Tuesday May 27 at a time to be confirmed, and will follow the same route. Public parking is available nearby and the routes will be a mixture of footpaths and sandy / moderately uneven ground.