Seagrass seed collection volunteering

The Trust is working to protect and restore seagrass meadows as part of the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project and Solent Seascape Project, working towards a wilder Solent for people and wildlife. 

Seagrass meadows are incredible habitats, supporting a huge array of marine life on the Island from thornback rays to cuttlefish. They help to mitigate the effects of climate change, help to clean our water and protect our coastlines from erosion. Sadly, we've lost up to 90% of these incredible habitats over the last 100 years. 

The Trust wouldn't be able to protect and restore the seagrass meadows in our local seas without the help and support of volunteers. We are looking for members of the local community to get involved in this work, and join them in collecting seagrass seed from Seaview and Calshot this summer for their next stage of restoration work in the area.

If you would like to get involved the 2026 seagrass seed collections are:

July - Seaview, Isle of Wight

• Wednesday 1st July: 05:00 – 07:30 (snorkelling)
• Thursday 2nd July: 05:30 – 08:00 (snorkelling)
• Friday 3rd July: 06:10 – 08:30 (snorkelling)
• Saturday 4th July: 06:45 – 09:00 (snorkelling)
• Sunday 5th July: 07:30 – 10:00 (snorkelling)
• Wednesday 15th July: 05:00 - 07:00 (wading)
• Wednesdy 15th July: 16:45 - 19:15 (snorkelling)
• Thursday 16th July: 05:30 - 07:45 (wading)
• Thursday 16th July: 18:00 - 20:00 (wading)
• Friday 17th July: 06:30 - 08:30 (wading)
• Friday 17th July: 16:30 - 19:00 (snorkelling)
• Saturday 18th July: 07:15 - 08:15 (wading)

July - Calshot, Hampshire

• Wednesday 15th July: 05:00 - 07:00 (wading)
• Thursday 16th July: 05:30 - 07:45 (wading)
• Thursday 16th July: 18:00 - 20:00 (wading)
• Friday 17th July: 06:30 - 08:30 (wading)
• Saturday 18th July: 07:15 - 08:15 (wading)

If you would like to join for wading, wetsuit boots/aqua shoes and shorts or waders are necessary due to the tide heights. If you would like to join for snorkelling, you will need to have had previous experience either diving or snorkelling and have your own wetsuit, boots, hood, snorkel and mask. 

Come and join us to a real difference to local marine wildlife and this precious habitat, meet like-minded people and become part of a friendly, supportive community. 

If you're interested in taking part, please email our marine team and they'll get you signed up as a volunteer and booked onto the sessions you would like to take part in. 

marine@hiwwt.org.uk 

Please note - due to our Safeguarding policy unfortunately we cannot recruit volunteers under the age of 18. However, if you are under 18 and would like to get involved, you can find various wildlife groups and activities on this page of our website: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/young-people