More than 40 local residents of all ages rolled up their sleeves last Friday to protect our coastline, collecting 20 bags of waste from East Cowes Esplanade as part of the Marine Heroes community event.
This was the first of several events funded by East Cowes Town Council and supported by resources from Surfers Against Sewage.
Combining environmental action with nature-based learning
The session combined environmental action with nature-based learning – from tallying brand names of litter to identifying shells and spotting signs of coastal life.
Children left proudly holding Marine Heroes certificates, a symbol of their contribution to a cleaner, healthier Isle of Wight.
Wild Isle Nature School
Organised by Wild Isle Nature School, the Marine Heroes event brought together families, friends, and volunteers with a shared passion for protecting the island’s marine environment.
Participants collected and sorted litter with the help of Surfers Against Sewage resources, carefully recording common items and even noting brand names to help highlight sources of waste in future campaigns.
4kg of waste removed from the shoreline
The group’s efforts removed over 4kg of waste from the shoreline, making a visible difference to the local environment and helping to safeguard coastal wildlife.
Popular litter finds included plastic wrappers, drinks bottles, and fishing-related debris — reminders of the everyday choices that impact our seas.
Connecting with nature
The event wasn’t just about cleaning up – it was also about connecting with nature. Children took part in a nature scavenger hunt, searching for signs of life along the beach and identifying shells with the guidance of Wild Isle.
Families shared a snack while listening to a story about an odd fish – a plastic water bottle. The story sparked lively conversations between attendees, both young and old, filled with enthusiasm to protect our planet.
Frankling: Small actions, taken together, can have a big impact on our local environment
Founder of Wild Isle Nature School, Elle Frankling, said,
“Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and when we give them the time and space to explore, they discover not just knowledge but also their power to make a difference.
“Events like Marine Heroes show how small actions, taken together, can have a big impact on our local environment.”
Inspiring the next generation of nature stewards
Wild Isle’s mission is to inspire the next generation of nature stewards through child-led learning, meaningful community connections, and resilience-building outdoor experiences. Events like Marine Heroes show how collective action can make a real difference — and how much joy there is in doing it together.
Wild Isle Nature School would like to thank East Cowes Town Council for funding the event and every volunteer who joined in. The team looks forward to hosting more community activities in the future to protect and celebrate our natural spaces.
To book onto the next Marine Heroes event on 1st September 2025, head to the website and click on book.
News shared by Elle on behalf of Wild Isle Nature School. Ed
