The Project (which is a partnership Project between Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Fylde Council & Blackpool Council) aims to improve the efficiency of the sand dunes as a soft sea defence, enhance the nature conservation interest of the coastal habitats, and increase public awareness and community engagement of the coast. 

The project covers the Fylde coast from Starr Gate in Blackpool, down to the mouth of the Ribble Estuary in Lytham.

Unfortunately, due to urbanisation, 80% of the sand dunes have been lost over the past 150 years. So it is crucial that the remaining 80 hectares is managed and preserved. The funding will help the Project to continue to improve the standard of coastal protection to almost 500 nearby properties from coastal erosion and flooding.

Work so far has included –

• Using natural materials (chestnut paling fencing and Christmas trees) to grow and widen the dunes on the foreshore, improving coastal protection.
• Dune repair – thatching and filling dune blow-outs which are vulnerable & weak areas in the dune system.
• Installing fencing to vulnerable areas to give nature a fighting chance to thrive
• Provision of pedestrian access routes aligned away from the prevailing wind direction
• Transplanting dune grasses (Marram and Lyme grass) to trap and anchor sand particles in place to help build up the dunes
• Removal of invasive non-native species (INNS) that out-compete our native coastal species
• Digging dune slacks to encourage a greater biodiversity
• Surveying and monitoring wildlife as the dunes are home to several internationally significant plants, rare invertebrates, and Priority Species birds.
• Reintroduction of over 400 sand lizards (the UK’s rarest lizard) to establish a new population
• Volunteer participation to encourage the local community to get involved and feel a sense of ownership for their local coastline
• Extensive programme of community events and education sessions to increase public awareness and engagement

The Project’s efforts over the years has led to up to 90m of cumulative dune growth in places since 2013 and, on average, about 10m/year with each line of Christmas trees/chestnut paling and marram thatching installed.

Volunteers have been a vital part of the project as they support weekly practical work parties, run guided walks, assist at events, undertake ecological monitoring, contribute to social media, and gain useful practical skills as well as social and mental health benefits from their participation.

Quote from Amy Pennington (Fylde Sand Dunes Project Officer):

“We are absolutely thrilled to have received another 5 years funding from the Environment Agency to continue our valuable work. The dunes are so important to both the local community and visitors to the coast. They provide vital coastal protection, habitats for wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else, and of course recreation for the huge volume of varied people who enjoy them! This additional funding will help us to continue to preserve the natural beauty of the Fylde Coast for years to come. I am exceptionally proud of all the work we have achieved so far, and excited to continue working on this amazing Project”.