Vale of Glamorgan

Vale of Glamorgan Local Nature Partnership ran a joint project with SEWBReC to help pupils and the public learn how to spot, identify and record starfish on the South Wales shore. Educational resources were created, and the team ran an outreach workshop. Participants involved included local school pupils and school staff along with members of the public.

The LNP wanted pupils and the public to be educated about starfish in more depth. Starfish are popular but misunderstood and mishandled. Foreshore records are low on the Welsh coast. Project Starfish aimed to address this by teaching how to record biodiversity, and help people understand how sensitive this marine animal is, and change their behaviour towards them when they see them, including rescue tips.

At the start of the project the LNP hoped to deliver to 10 schools, run one community event and create an education resource. They developed the project further during the summer term by creating a piece of outdoor starfish litter art, delivering recording training days, more schools lessons and engagement days and started a ‘Starfish Spotter’ Award. Ultimately they delivered to 11 Schools in total, educating a total of 553 pupils.

Schools took part in a Seashore I-spy (How to record starfish and other under-recorded rockpool species), were educated on why it’s important, looked at the Starfish Species found on the local shore with imagery and specimens, took part in a rescue game, and were given information on a ‘pledge’ they could sign up to promising to not touch starfish in the future. Older pupils also studied starfish anatomy doing at how they breathe and function.

A recording event was held in spring 2025 at Llantwit Beach (Cwm Colhuw). Families were able to learn about starfish and how to record them and other under-recorded rockpool species. The Digital Educational Resource was designed and made available as a download for use by teachers, parents, community group leaders and the public in both English and Welsh versions.

15 volunteers were involved in the planting event at Penclawdd Community Centre, including seven children. The Community Centre committee committed to the management of the marshy grassland. They are volunteers so have incorporated this into their current roles. A management plan has been written for them to follow, and they have access to a mower which will be needed for the management plan.

Eight volunteers were involved with planters at GROW Cymru. The weekly volunteers have committed to the management of the planters, and a management plan has been written for them to follow. They were provided with tools and watering cans which the volunteers will use to look after the planters. The volunteers reported that by taking part in the planting, they experienced an increase in wellbeing. The wildlife trust volunteers enjoyed doing something different which involved children and the community, and the locals enjoyed getting outside during half term despite the rain.

Local residents had positive things to say about the project:

“I try to limit screen time during half term so this was a great opportunity to get the kids outdoors” – Sian Elizabeth Blanch

“The children walk past here every day on their way to school so it will be so nice to see what we have planted grow and change over the seasons” – Katie Liam