Exploring Environmental Issues at Summerleaze Beach

Learners recently enjoyed an educational visit to Summerleaze Beach in Bude as part of their Environmental Issues Module.

The day began with a beach survey, allowing learners to investigate the different features of the coastal environment. They explored the sand dunes, assessed water quality in the canal, examined rock pools, and observed where the river meets the beach. The group also spent time identifying local habitats and the wildlife that can be found along the coastline.

During their exploration, learners discovered several stranded jellyfish on the beach. Showing great care for the local environment, Lily carefully collected many of the jellyfish and returned them to nearby sea pools in an effort to help them survive. Unfortunately, some of the jellyfish had already died before they were found.

Following the initial survey, learners chose an area of particular interest and carried out more detailed investigations, developing their understanding of the coastal ecosystem and the environmental challenges it faces.

The visit concluded with a beach clean. Thanks to reusable bags kindly sourced from Frank and Grace, learners were able to collect any litter they found. They were pleased to discover that Summerleaze Beach was already very clean, with plenty of rubbish and recycling bins available and clearly being well used by visitors.

The trip was a valuable opportunity for learners to carry out first-hand environmental research while enjoying the natural beauty of the Cornish coastline. All learners appeared to thoroughly enjoy the experience and gained valuable knowledge to support their studies.

In addition to the environmental activities, many learners also developed their independence skills by taking part in travel training, using public transport to travel to and from Bude.