Yesterday we welcomed 35 BSc Environmental Management students from the University of Reading for a morning exploring the opportunities and challenges facing Pembrokeshire’s coast.
We started at Hobbs Point, looking out across the Cleddau and using the landscape around us to discuss how industry, the natural environment, tourism and coastal communities all interact within the same system.
The group heard about the breadth of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum’s work, including marine renewable energy through Marine Energy Wales and the Marine Energy Test Area (META), climate adaptation, sustainable recreation and the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Health Project.
They also heard from The Crown Estate Marine Futures interns Sophie and Arwen, who shared their experiences and perspectives on their work with us.
It was a brilliant group, with plenty of thoughtful questions and discussion throughout the morning. Visits like this give the students a chance to explore what integrated coastal management looks like in practice, and how collaboration across communities, industry, research and the environment can help address some of the pressures facing our coast.
Thanks to Professor Julian Park and team for joining us again.