A 12-month programme of activities and engagement has been announced as part of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park project.
One of the main highlights include the official launch of the activity programme with the National Marine Park Open Weekend – an exclusive free event for Plymouth residents at the National Marine Aquarium taking place from April 1 to 3.
Others include:
- ‘Sea in the Park’ – bringing the wonders of the NMP to green spaces across the city
- ‘Give it a Go’ – get on, in, under and next to the Sound through a programme giving Plymouth people the opportunity to try out what the NMP can offer for free
- Want to get more involved – a pilot programme of National Marine Park Rangers, volunteers and environmental ambassadors running throughout the year
- Designing a ‘digital park in the sea’ – innovation labs will run to generate and test idea that could virtually uncover the treasures under the waves.
The year-long programme has been designed to not only enable people to have fun and explore but also for residents to be able to have their say and shape the NMP, which is being made possible thanks to £9.5 million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Council Leader Nick Kelly said:
“We’re so excited to be sharing more details of the activity planned for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park during 2022 and into next year.
“The park aims to improve access to Plymouth’s natural and maritime heritage to ensure that all our citizens can enjoy the significant benefits that being on, in, under and next to the water provides.
“By increasing community connection with the natural environment, we aim to improve engagement with sustainability and ocean protection, improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of our community and boost the blue economy.
“It’s incredibly important to us that everyone in Plymouth has the chance to get involved and have their say about what the park means to them. That’s why we’re so excited to today be announcing our first National Marine Park event, an open weekend exclusively for Plymouth residents to find out all about what the National Marine Park has to offer and to start to feedback and shape the future plans for delivery.”
Roger Maslin, CEO of the Ocean Conservation Trust, said:
“We are proud to partner on the UK’s first ever National Marine Park. We truly understand the importance of protecting vital ocean habitats and believe connecting people with the Ocean is key to this. We are delighted to welcome communities and organisations from across the City to the National Marine Aquarium for the weekend to help celebrate the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.”
The National Marine Park Open Weekend is just the first in an exciting line-up of events and activity that will be taking place throughout the year as part of the activity plan announced today.
The activity programme has been created by the NMP Horizon project partners to provide loads of different ways for Plymouth residents to give feedback, engage in activities, learn more about the Park and help design what comes next.
Plenty of online activity will take place too. This includes the introduction of brand new webcams which will be viewable through the NMP’s website and give a unique insight into the Park.
Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of the Opposition, added:
“The year of activity planned for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park offers a unique chance for us to come together and shape the city’s future. Ultimately the Park will bring new opportunities in the forms of entertainment, employment, environment and enterprise, so it’s really important that we maximise this and that everyone has their say.”
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Horizons Project has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players with £9.5 million of funding from the Heritage Fund.
For more about the NMP and to see the latest updates go to www.plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com
