Stronger Shores

10/04/2026

Stronger Shores has loved teaming up with the amazing artists at East Durham Artists Network (edan) to explore the hidden world of kelp through trips, workshops and creative sessions💙

All that creativity has come together in a fantastic exhibition - open until 25th April!

The Stronger Shores project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency.

04/03/2026

We’re excited to have supported the creation of the Stronger Shores exhibition at Dry Water Arts News open 1 March – 4 April.

The exhibition shares the work Stronger Shores has been doing with communities since the project began - exploring what kelp, seagrass and oysters can do in the face of coastal defence measures, and the many services these habitats provide.

These include protecting coastlines, offering nursery habitats for commercially important fish, supporting wellbeing, and improving water quality.

Different groups have shared their own perspectives on the opportunities and benefits these habitats bring. The exhibition gives visitors a chance to see this work and consider what Stronger Shores might mean for them.

Durham Wildlife Trust

The Stronger Shores project is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency

Opening Event - Sunday 1st March 2pm - 4pm - FREE with refreshments ( this event coincides with World Sea Grass Day) "Stronger Shores has been engaging with communities since its inception. Through its engagement work, it has been exploring what kelp, seagrass and oysters as a coastal defence

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

23/01/2026

🌊 Coastal Futures Conference 2026 is nearly here! 🌊

We’ll be at the Royal Geographical Society next week (28–29 January), joining partners from the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programmes (FCRIP) and the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG)

Come find us to chat about nature‑based solutions, coastal resilience, and how we can help turn ambition into action.

Explore the programme here: https://coastal-futures.net/

Stronger Shores is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, managed by the Environment Agency.

📅 See you at Coastal Futures 2026!

Coastal Futures is one of the largest marine and coastal conferences in the UK. Covering major themes across two days.

23/01/2026

📸 **A Shared Heritage Coast: Down The Beach
🗓️ **30th January | 1:30–3:30PM**
📍 The Donnison School Heritage & Education Centre, Church Walk, Sunderland SR1 2BJ
🎟️ Free entry | ☕ Refreshments included in our Memories cafe

From deckchairs to dog walks, sandcastles to sunsets, Roker and Seaburn have been loved, lived in and shared across generations. Join us for a special photography exhibition by **The Donnison Photography Group**, celebrating the stories, sights and spirit of our coastline.

🌊 Featuring archive images, community snapshots and rare footage, this exhibition captures the everyday magic of Sunderland’s beaches, past and present.

👣 Come walk down memory lane, meet the photographers, join this lovely group and explore how our coast continues to shape local identity.

📷 Whether you’re a beach lover, history buff or just curious all are welcome!

@ School Heritage and Education CentreEast Sunderland CommunitySSunderland, UKVVoluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS)Sunderland EventsSStronger Shores

15/01/2026

🌊 We’re excited to share that Stronger Shores is sponsoring Coastal Futures Conference 2026 (28–29 January, Royal Geographical Society, London + online). 🌊

You’ll find us in the exhibition space with some other Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP) partners, together with the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG), who are hosting a sponsored session on Coastal Resilience & Community Well‑Being.

Check out the conference programme and themes here. https://coastal-futures.net/

Stronger Shores is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

📅 See you at Coastal Futures 2026 - come say hello and let’s talk about turning ambition into action on our coasts.

South Tyneside Council Newcastle University University of Plymouth Durham Wildlife Trust The Tees Rivers Trust Tees Valley Wildlife Trust ZSL Groundwork NE & Cumbria

Coastal Futures is one of the largest marine and coastal conferences in the UK. Covering major themes across two days.

12/01/2026

Our Stronger Shores Talk Series (facilitated by Durham Wildlife Trust) is back after last year’s success, bringing you more fascinating online sessions this January (and into February).

Join on Zoom and explore the incredible life along our coast:

🌊 Tue 13 Jan, 7–8pm – Cetaceans of Durham’s Coast, https://strongershores.com/event/stronger-shores-talk-series-cetaceans-of-durhams-coast/

🌿 Tue 20 Jan, 7–8pm – Kelp and Our Coasts, https://strongershores.com/event/stronger-shores-talk-series-kelp-and-our-coasts/

🦪 Tue 27 Jan, 7–8pm – Oysters with the Wild Oysters Project, https://strongershores.com/event/stronger-shores-talk-series-oysters-with-the-wild-oysters-project/

✨ Grab your spot and dive into the wonders beneath the waves!

Stronger Shores is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.



South Tyneside Council Durham Wildlife Trust Tees Valley Wildlife Trust The Tees Rivers Trust Newcastle University University of Plymouth ZSL Groundwork NE & Cumbria

08/01/2026

❄️ Looking for something to do on a cold winter evening?

Our Stronger Shores Talk Series is back! Last year’s talks hosted by Durham Wildlife Trust were a huge hit, and we’re kicking off 2026 with an amazing online session all about whales, dolphins, and porpoises on Durham’s coast.

📅 When? Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 7pm-8pm
✅ Free to attend – booking essential!

👉 Reserve your spot now: https://www.durhamwt.com/events/2026-01-13-stronger-shores-talk-series-cetaceans-durhams-coast

Stay warm, grab a cuppa, and join us from home to learn something new about our incredible marine wildlife! 🌊

The Stronger Shores project is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.



South Tyneside Council Durham Wildlife Trust Tees Valley Wildlife Trust The Tees Rivers Trust Newcastle University University of Plymouth ZSL Groundwork NE & Cumbria

Explore the fantastic work being done with our volunteers to help to protect the amazing marine mammals that call our coast home.

24/12/2025

From the Stronger Shores team at South Tyneside, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year! 🎄✨

2025 has been another incredible year for the Stronger Shores project – and it’s all thanks to our amazing partners and everyone who has supported us along the way🌊

Your collaboration and commitment make a real difference, and we couldn’t do it without you!

We’re excited to see what we can achieve together in 2026 – watch this space! 🥳

South Tyneside Council Durham Wildlife Trust Groundwork NE & Cumbria Newcastle University The Tees Rivers Trust University of Plymouth Tees Valley Wildlife Trust ZSL

Stronger Shores is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, which is managed by the Environment Agency

02/12/2025

🌊 We’re delighted to be featured in APSE Direct!

The article shares insights from our Project Delivery Officer, Emily Ross, after presenting at APSE’s Really Rewilding seminar. It focuses on the ways Stronger Shores are learning about seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and oyster reefs - and how these amazing habitats can help protect our coasts and communities.

A big thank you to APSE for showcasing Stronger Shores and supporting nature-based solutions that make our shores stronger, safer, and more sustainable.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.apse.org.uk/index.cfm/apse/research/apse-direct/2025/november-december-2025-apse-direct/

Together with South Tyneside Council and our partners, we’re working to restore marine habitats for future generations. 💙

Stronger Shores is funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency.

The Tees Rivers Trust Durham Wildlife Trust Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Groundwork NE & Cumbria ZSL Newcastle University University of Plymouth

Innovating with Nature: Stronger Shores Approach to Coastal Resilience -  Emily Ross, Project Delivery Officer, South Tyneside Council, p38