Coastal Grassland Restoration: A Journey to a Thriving Future

Blast Beach County Durham

On Friday the 21st of March, the SASE team, including five students and academic mentors from America, had the incredible opportunity to visit the East Durham Coastline to witness the remarkable restoration efforts led by the Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project and East Durham Trust. The Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project, funded by the Species Survival Fund, sits within the Heritage Coastal Partnership's work and is one of the projects that's been undertaken over the years to help conserve and restore our environment along the Heritage Coast.

Middle image from left: Kellie Daniels, Newcastle University Media Lecturer, Henry French, Marine Biology Student Newcastle University, Alex Sijpesteijn, Heratige Coastal Partnership Manager,  Michael Burn, Species Survival Fund Manager, Dr Clifton Ever, Senior Lecturer Media Newcastle University,  Graham Easterlow, CEO of East Durham Trust, Eleanor Norton, East Durham Trust, Alyssa & Ann Morgan Nicholls State University Students, Professor Laure Chamberlain Kasovich, and Professor Nicki Boudreaux Nicholls State University Mass Communications Department.

Twenty years ago this coastline was considered one of the most toxic in all of Europe only second to Chernobyl; it was even used during the filming of Alien 3 for its otherworldly oddities like an orange pool of water just off the coastline that gets its unusual colouring from the iron oxide runoffs from the old mining dumping. Within a relatively small space of time, this area has become a place of pride for the local community due to the restoration efforts of the Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project, Heritage Coastal Partnership and East Durham Trust and is now home to the rare Northern Brown Argus Butterfly and many other rare and protected species.

Northern Brown Argus Butterfly Image credits: Bob Eade

UK SASE students and mentors from Newcastle University as well as students from Louisiana’s Nicholls State University came together to draw clear parallels between the industrial coal mining of the North and the industrial impact of oil and gas on South Louisiana and to explore how they have both impacted the coastline and surrounding communities.

Although there is still more restoration work ahead, as we learned first-hand the future is very bright for the East County Durham coastline and we look forward to connecting communities globally to restore coastlines, rebuild ecosystems and revitalise communities.

This image shows the coal waste being dumped into the North Sea. Image credit: Pinterest John Atkinson-Millmoor

We would like to thank Dr Clifton Evers for organising our site visit as well as Michael Burn, & Alex Sijpesteijn from the Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project, and Graham Easterlow & Eleanor Norton, from the East Durham Trust.

It was an incredible day, and we look forward to working with you all again soon!

To find out more information about the Coastal Grassland Restoration Project visit:

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd0gp2v7v2o

• https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25021060.new-county-durham-nature-reserve-named-tinas-haven/

• The Species Survival Fund partly funds the initiative (https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/closed-programmes/species-survival-fund) which focuses on East Durham's 'coal coast' including former mining areas.

Written by: Erin Fazackerley

SASE Lectures: The Global Conversation

Last week we hosted 2 hybrid lectures to over 100 guests on Newcastle Campus

Our Coffee Lecture began at 9:30 am we travelled to Dove Marine Laboratory and heard from Dr. Marco Fusi, Professor Pip Moore and Dr. Heather Sugden on coastal restoration that reviewed their work on algae control, kelp and mangrove forests. The lecture was live streamed to the United Nations and a full recording of the lecture will be available to few on our events page next week.

A link to the event can still be found on the UN site: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/past_events

We then travelled back to main campus to host the Lunchtime lecture and hosted 40 students and academics as well as over 50 guests online via our livestream collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and heard from visiting academics and students from Nicholls State University about coastal restoration in the Louisiana Wetlands. A recording of the event will be available on our events page next week.

Thank you to all of our academic and student participants, it was a huge success and we are already planning our next SASE: Global Conversation Lecture so watch this space 👀

A link to the event can still be found on the UN site: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/past_events

3/300 Campaign Launch: A Night of Action for Cross River Gorillas

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, we gathered at Pumphreys Bar in Newcastle to officially launch the 3/300 Campaign—a movement designed to raise awareness and funds for the 300 remaining critically endangered Cross River Gorillas. Hosted by Newcastle University and joined by Nicholls State University SASE members, the event brought together conservation advocates, students, and supporters for an evening of fundraising.

Community Engagement – The event fostered connections between students, mentors, and wildlife enthusiasts, reinforcing the collective power of action.

Inspiring Talks - The event witnessed a talk from Henry French, a member of SNES, to talk about their hard work. John Daniels, Chair of CRGP to share the success of the campaign launch. George Hamilton Stubber who spoke about his Paris marathon training and encouraging the final call to action: donating!

Getting Involved - The event got students involved from a range of Newcastle student societies to play games and contribute to raising awareness.

"I feel so inspired, what a fantastic event launch" - Newcastle University student from the Surf Society.

We raised even more money to contribute to George's Paris Marathon in April with nearly £1,500 raised of the £2,000 target. Click the link below to donate:

https://gofund.me/2433ae50

A massive thank you to the SASE Media Team for hosting such a fantastic fundraising event and everyone else for making it all happen. It was a night of great success for a fantastic cause. An even bigger than you to Pumphreys who made the event possible and hosting the campaign launch. A fantastic space to get everyone together for a special night.

Written by: Erin Fazackerley