Overview
Based in Brighton, Sussex Dolphin Project is a dedicated marine conservation organisation committed to understanding and protecting local dolphin species. Through research, education, and community engagement, they work to safeguard Sussex’s marine life and coastal ecosystems. Their team, made up of passionate volunteers and specialists, actively collaborates with local communities to enhance biodiversity and inspire action for marine conservation.
The Sussex coastline is home to a diverse range of marine life, including dolphin species that are facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, and human activity. Coastal habitats, essential for biodiversity, are under pressure due to urban development and industrial use. Without active conservation efforts, these ecosystems and the species they support are at risk.
Sussex Dolphin Project takes a multi-faceted approach to marine conservation. Their work includes research on local dolphin populations through a sightings network, where community members contribute valuable data on dolphin behaviour, movement, and habitat use. They also focus on education, offering school sessions, beach discovery experiences, and citizen science initiatives that engage the public in hands-on conservation.
A key part of their efforts is the Shoreham Port Conservation Corridor, a 3km² mosaic of coastal habitats managed by the project since 2021. This vital conservation area supports bird, reptile, and insect populations, with significant increases in flora species observed. By maintaining and expanding this corridor, Sussex Dolphin Project ensures that critical habitats remain protected and continue to thrive.
The incredible £5,000 grant from John Good Group will directly support improvements to the Shoreham Port Conservation Corridor, including supplementary planting and the construction of a hibernaculum for reptiles. Additionally, resources will be allocated for data collection and analysis to ensure the corridor’s management effectively benefits local species and engages the community. Volunteer rangers from local universities will assist in maintaining the site, while BioBlitz events will involve the public in ecological surveying and conservation activities.
We are humbled that you trust us to spend your money wisely and thank you for believing in what we are trying to achieve. Sometimes it is the smallest things that mean the most – the care packs, whilst such a small thing, can be just what a young person needs to help them find meaning and help them to start valuing their lives. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you
Joanna Garvey
