Swanpool Tidies up After the Summer :: swanpool.org.uk

Swanpool Beach and Nature Reserve is to receive a helping hand from local conservation and environmental groups on Sunday 16th September 2007 when an end of summer clean and tidy up has been organised...

The nature reserve at Swanpool beach is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific interest) protected site and is home to a vast array of wildlife, and is in need of some tender loving care. Plastic bottles and wrappers as well as discarded fishing tackle all lie waiting in the reeds and pose a serious threat to the wildlife of the pool.

Pete Lochrie of Swanpool Beach, a member of the Swanpool Forum (with 9 other partners), who also manage the Nature Reserve, comments:

“Despite putting up signs asking people to be careful with fishing tackle, we know we have problems. I have seen some terrible incidents of ducks caught and tangled up in fishing line and it really is heartbreaking. We welcome the support we are receiving from Radio Cornwall, Clean Cornwall, Cornwall Waste Action, MCS and BTCV in helping to reduce this risk to the wildlife. Equally the beach is subject to littering and everyone can appreciate how awful the beach could look if litter was not removed. We provide bins at the café and Carrick District Council provide bins for the beach, but it is astonishing how many people just don’t take their litter home.”

Volunteers to help with the nature reserve and beach clean are welcome and should come to the beach for 11am armed with suitable clothing such as wellies, waders, gloves and equipment, although some litter pickers will be supplied.

"During the Clean Cornwall week, we have organised a whole series of beach clean ups throughout the county and we are delighted with the level of support they have received. Local people care passionately about their environment and are willing to commit time and energy to ensuring it remains beautiful. We would encourage local people to come down to Swanpool to help out and take a proactive roles in keeping the local environment clean and tidy, so that both local people and visitors can continue to enjoy this superb beach facility and its surrounding environment."