Locals enjoy Summer by the Sea

MORE than 1,500 locals and visitors went to nearly 100 free local events as part of the 20th anniversary of the 2016 Summer by the Sea program.

Coastcare facilitator Emma Dart said big thanks were due to the volunteers, communities and contractors in the Barwon South West region.

“Their support for these family-friendly events goes a long way to keeping environmental protection front-of-mind for us all.

locations across the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and South West coast, proving that Summer by the Sea resonates as strongly as ever after two decades.”

Summer by the Sea is a joint effort between groups, land managers, small businesses and the state government.

“The top crowd favourites were the many Rockpool Rambles across the region, particularly across the the Sea visitors, with stand-up paddleboarding and canoe cruising sessions also in hot demand at Torquay,” Ms Dart said.

“In the far south west, other popular activities were Mel Wells’ Gannet Gawk and Talk at Point Danger, Island and Dr John Sherwood’s presentation ‘Fire and Ice – the making of our landscape’. It showed us once again that families continue to embrace Summer by the Sea and highlights how much they like learning about local wildlife and habitats.”

Summer by the Sea also launched a dedicated website this year.

As Victoria’s coastal environments are fragile and strongly affected by introduced plants, animals and human behaviours, Coastcare Victoria has urged those with an interest in their local marine or coastal environment to become a coastal volunteer and make a positive difference by emailing [email protected].