Following two recent fires in the dunes at Presthaven Sands, Coastal Ranger, Mandy Cartwright, is keen to highlight the impact of fire and litter on the beaches and the sand dune system, and is encouraging responsible behaviour along the North Wales coast this summer.
Gronant Dunes and Talacre Warren SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) is managed in partnership by Flintshire Countryside Services, Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, BHP Billiton Petroleum Ltd. and the Countryside Council for Wales. It is of special interest for its sand dune habitat and the species that occupy it, such as the natterjack toad, the sand lizard, and the important marram grass that knits the sand dunes system together and provides a natural sea defence.
“Due to the dry spring we’ve encountered this year, the important vegetation that knits the sand dune community together has become increasingly susceptible to fire, and, once alight, it can spread very quickly,” said Mandy. “It is extremely dangerous as it spreads at speed and, dependent on wind direction, a fire could easily spread to the holiday park itself. Such fires are not only dangerous to people, but they could also potentially wipe out species such as the sand lizard, which was re-introduced eight years ago. They are a European protected species and we are very lucky to have them here at Presthaven Sands.”
Mandy continues, “We work so hard all year round to preserve and protect our fantastic habitats, which could all be lost due to a single fire. Through access, interpretation and presence on site we have our work cut out promoting sensible and responsible behaviour. Chinese lanterns have become increasingly popular over the last few years and can be very harmful to the countryside – causing fires in particularly vulnerable areas, such as the marram grass covered sand dunes, and creating litter, which can lead to the death of any animal that may eat the debris that falls to the ground.”
Some of the main causes of fire include throwaway barbeques, cigarettes, Chinese lanterns, broken glass, and they are even started deliberately.
As well as being one of the causes of fire, coastal marine litter is a huge problem worldwide. Have you ever strolled down a beach after a high tide and observed the strandline? Do you see the amount of litter that is brought in by the sea and deposited on our beaches?
Marine litter is a human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally ended up in the sea. Marine litter comprises of plastic bags, cans, fishing lines and nets, disposable nappies, etc. Not only is it a visual problem, but marine litter also possesses a health risk to beach visitors, and can have severe impacts on our local wildlife, which includes our sand lizards, seals, oyster catchers and cormorants, as well as other birds, mammals and marine life.
Plastic bags are made from polythene, derived from crude oil, and the more bags we use, the more we waste our non renewable resources. Worldwide we use 500 billion plastic bags a year and, on average, each bag we use is for no more than 15 minutes!
Plastic does not bio degrade; it just breaks down into smaller pieces that harm our soil, water and wildlife. The majority of all plastic that has ever been made is still somewhere on our planet.
Coastal Ranger Mandy Cartwright is always on the look out for volunteers to help her clear up the dunes and the beach on a regular basis.
If interested please contact her by e-mailing: [email protected]
If you see or have any information regarding fires please use the contacts below:
Crimestoppers Wales: 0800 555 111
North Wales Fire & Rescue: 01745 535 805
North Wales Police: 101 – or – 0845 6071001 (Welsh line) and 0845 6071002 (English line)
