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 2025 seagrass seed collections are taking place at the following dates/times:

June - Seaview, Isle of Wight

• Wednesday 25th June: 05:00 am - 07:00 am (wading)
• Wednesday 25th June: 16:00 - 18:15 (snorkelling)
• Thursday 26th June: 05:00 am - 07:00 am (wading)
• Thursday 26th June: `17:00 - 19:30 (snorkelling)
• Friday 27th June: 05:30 am - 07:30 am (wading)
• Friday 27th June: 17:45 - 20:00 (snorkelling)

July - Seaview, Isle of Wight

• Saturday 12th July, 05:00 - 07:20 (snorkelling)
• Saturday 12th July, 17:30 - 19:45 (snorkelling)
• Sunday 13th July, 06:00 - 08:00 (wading)
• Sunday 13th July, 18:00 - 20:30 (snorkelling)
• Monday 14th July, 06:45 - 08:45 (wading)
• Monday 14th July, 18:45 - 21:00 (snorkelling)
• Tuesday 15th July, 07:15 - 09:30 (wading)
• Tuesday 15th July, 19:30 - 21:00 (snorkelling)
• Wednesday 16th July, 07:45 - 10:00 (snorkelling)
• Thursday 17th July, 08:30 - 11:00 (snorkelling)

July - Calshot, Hampshire

• Thursday 24th July, 16:00 - 18:15 (snorkelling)
• Friday 25th July, 05:00 - 07:00 (wading)
• Friday 25th July, 16:45 - 19:00 (snorkelling)
• Saturday 26th July, 05:30 - 07:30 (wading)
• Saturday 26th July, 17:30 - 19:45 (snorkelling)
• Sunday 27th July, 06:00 - 08:00 (wading)
• Sunday 27th July, 18:00 - 20:30 (snorkelling)
• Monday 28th July, 06:30 - 08:45 (wading)
• Monday 28th July, 18:45 - 21:00 (snorkelling)
• Tuesday 29th July, 07:00 - 09:30 (snorkelling)

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 would like to join for wading, wetsuit boots 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. 

If you're interested in taking part, please email our marine team and they'll get you signed up as a volunteer and booked on! 

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