Natural England

Natural England will be inviting the public to join them on an exploration of our undersea landscapes at a special marine exhibition they have organised for this year's Thames Festival.

People of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about the variety of wildlife and landscapes that exist underwater of the shores of England through a series of fun activities*. The exhibition is part of the organisation’s campaign to raise awareness of the marine environment around England’s coastline.

Despite England’s love of the sea, awareness of what lies beneath the waves is extremely low. A recent poll for Natural England found that 44% of the population think the undersea environment is generally barren in their own region and only 10% expected it to have a rich mix of undersea landscapes including plants, animals and landscape features.

Alison Barnes, Natural England Regional Director for London said ‘The River Thames links London with the marine environment, twice a day the tide brings the North Sea into the heart of the capital. The River is not only an iconic symbol of London’s culture and of England’s maritime heritage but also provides a home to several species of fish including smelt, flounder, eel and bass. It is why the occasional common seal or harbour porpoise is tempted to ride the incoming tide in search of a fish supper.’

‘We want all Londoners to be more aware of the capital’s important connection to the marine environment in order for it to be properly conserved and appreciated in the future.’

*Notes to Editors:
For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:

Adam Elwell (Natural England)
Telephone: 0207 932 2212 or 07814501780
Email: adam.elwell@naturalengland.org.uk

Ellen Softley (Natural England)
Tel no: 0207 932 2230 or 07990804795
Email: ellen.softley@naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings www.naturalengland.org.uk

Marine Campaign
Natural England marine campaign started in June 2008. The campaign plans to reach out to families, communities, councils, voluntary groups and businesses to show them England’s undersea landscapes.

Natural England’s Undersea Landscapes Campaign will involve an exhibition that includes the following:

• Workshops at coastal and city venues
• Creating participative murals of undersea landscapes
• 32 Children’s workshops to make miniature landscapes and window decals
• Competition with fantastic prizes
• Children’s activities to create their own sea creatures such as cuckoo wrasse kites, seahorse pencil tops and herring kites

Natural England will also be asking event visitors and campaign supporters to help celebrate and spread the word about the undersea landscapes of each region by putting up a decal of the undersea landscape in a house window.

To find out more information, visit the Natural England Undersea Landscapes campaign at: www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/marine

Thames Festival
The Mayor’s Thames Festival is a spectacular, free celebration of London and its river. Taking place over the middle weekend in September (13th &14th) between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, the festival brings Londoners together in the very heart of the capital to dance, make sculptures, listen to music, watch movies, drink, eat, enjoy performances, sing, play on the beach, sail on the Thames and party in the streets.

To find out more, visit http://www.thamesfestival.org/cn/about/index.php

Marine life found in the Thames:

• Short-snouted Seahorses were found in the River Thames last year.
• The Thames Herring is a spring spawner, it is smaller than other herring populations like the North Sea Herring, and is distinguished by having one less vertebra

ENDS