Calling all photographers! 

Calling all photographers! 

Joint press release with the Countryside Education Trust

The Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu is launching a major photography competition entitled ‘Our Coast’ to capture why the New Forest National Park shoreline matters so much to locals and visitors. 

The competition is part of a new project funded by the Environment Agency, ‘Championing Coastal Coordination’ delivered by the Trust and the New Forest National Park Authority. The partners are seeking the input of local people in the face of sea level rise resulting from climate change. The longer-term aim is to identify how we can work together and with nature to address some of the challenges. The £36,000 grant will also help the Countryside Education Trust to develop for activities and educational resources for its Fort Climate Centre.

Photographs (in portrait) must be on the theme of ‘Our Coast’. This could mean a coastal scene, people having fun on the beach, or bird life on the marshes. Maybe ‘Our Coast’ reminds you of waves and driftwood; cold-water dips, dog walks or dinghy racing; ice-cream eating or sand between your toes?  

Themed prizes will be awarded in each age group (under 12, 12-18 and 18+), with a deadline of 10 March. The winning photos will be displayed at an outdoor exhibition at the Countryside Education Trust’s Fort Climate Centre in Beaulieu at the end of March.  All entries will be assessed by a panel of judges, including the acclaimed international photographer and New Forest Marque member Steve Poole (www.steve-poole.com). 

Jane Cooper, Chief Executive of the Countryside Education Trust, said: ‘We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s photos. We know the New Forest is full of people passionate about the water, who enjoy it come rain or shine. Our exhibition will hopefully capture all of that passion.’ 

Paul Walton, Head of Environment and Rural Economy at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: ‘There are 26 miles of coastline in the National Park, with important habitat and wildlife. The Championing Coastal Coordination project has enabled us to start to plan for a future where the coast may end up looking quite different from now. Thinking about that sooner rather than later will help our community plan and adapt.’ 

Submissions are open to all amateur photographers, and there are three age categories: up to 12 years old; 12 to 18 years old; and over 18 years old. The submission deadline is 10pm on 10 March. All photos must be in portrait orientation. More information and full terms and conditions are available on the competition site: https://cetcoastalcommunity.wixsite.com/mysite.  

For more information about the competition, please email photocomp@cet.org.uk. For details about Championing Coastal Coordination, please contact Jane Cooper, Chief Executive, Countryside Education Trust on 01590 612401. 

The Championing Coastal Coordination (3Cs) initiative is a programme seeking to enhance and progress coordination for coastal sustainability and resilience in England. It is led by the Environment Agency with support from Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.