Attractive and informative sign outside Cleethorpes leisure centre showcases nature on the foreshore

 

 The sign newly installed outside the leisure centre 

CREDIT to North East Lincolnshire Council for displaying a sign denoting that Cleethorpes is now part of the recently-designated Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve.

Similar signs, all funded by Natural England,  are now also on display at:

* Meridian Park, 

* Thorpe Park exit on to the beach

* Humber Mouth Yacht Club car park. 

What is the purpose of the signage?

Says  NELC: "The coastline and the species that inhabit it are very vulnerable to recreational disturbance. 

"This not only means dogs or paddleboarders approaching and disturbing the birds that live here, but other activities can cause serious damage too. 

"Many of the plants that grow in this area are fragile, and damaging them, even by walking over them, can lead to erosion of the dunes and loss of habitat.

"Saltmarsh is a rare coastal habitat. It forms in areas protected from the strongest sea waves where mud can build up. 

"Saltmarsh protects from flooding, prevents pollution from reaching the sea and stores carbon - more than a rainforest of the equivalent size."

The spokesperson continues: "Saltmarsh supports certain rare and protected species that have adapted to these dynamic, salty environments and live nowhere else.

"An example is the sea aster bee. 

"These peaceful bees dig nests in the dunes but forage on the flowers of saltmarsh plants, particularly sea aster, the pollen of which they use to feed their offspring."