Grants

Marine Conservation

Discovering the Cove 2025

£15,000 awarded

Project Dates: 01.04.25 to 31.12.25

Discovering the Cove is an exciting project designed to connect local schools and their communities with nearby wild spaces – raising awareness of the importance of local coastal habitats and wildlife species.

The Cove Discovery Project has become a key element of local conservation efforts in Brixham, Devon, specifically in promoting the preservation of Churston Cove and its marine habitats and native wildlife species.

The project focusses on introducing children to local coastal wildlife and habitats through a series of presentations, workshops, and field trips to Churston Cove, and sharing underwater footage of the wonders that lie hidden just a few metres from their local coast.

Project Objectives:

  • Expand Program Delivery: The DEF grant will allow the project team to increase the frequency and scope of their conservation and community engagement programs, reaching a broader audience and deepening the project’s impact.
  • Strengthen Partnerships: This grant will allow for the development of stronger relationships with local schools, community groups, and environmental agencies, leading to more collaborative projects and shared resources.
  • Enhance Revenue Streams: By dedicating more time to the strategic development of the harbourside shop and other revenue-generating activities, the project can move towards financial independence, reducing reliance on future grant funding.
  • Develop Long-Term Sustainability: Core funding for 2025 will provide the necessary support for the team to develop further income streams to become self-sustaining, and ensure its continued impact and growth.

 

A huge thank you to Rockfish for generously funding The Cove Project again.

Images courtesy of The Cove Project.

IMPACT SUMMARY OCTOBER 2025: 

Project Activities:

  • The project has reached over 200 children and students, engaging them in Marine conservation activities, science-based beach lab, beach cleans and presentations, inlcuding:
    – Plymouth University field trip and lecture
    – South Devon Collage presentation
    – Edan Park School – Field trips and Beach Lab sessions
    – Churston Grammer School – Cove field trip
    – Brixham CofE Primary School – Churston Woods and Cove field trip
  • The project team have attended several presentations and community events ranging from local camera clubs, fund raising groups, Paignton Library and Brixham Heritage Museum.
  • The Cove Discovery Project’s shop and conservation hub has moved to Brixham high street, increasing public engagement and revenue contributions to the project’s suscainability funding model.
  • The project team attended a number of environment themed local events such as Future Proof Community Event, Wild Planet Trust – Seagrass Champions and Crab line recycling scheme Dartmouth.

 

Project Impact:

The Cove Discovery Project celebrates the coexistence of both wildlife and people in and around Brixham, and through it’s engagement activities raises awareness of Brixham’s marine habitats and species.

Through carrying out environmental education and engagement activities within local schools, universities, community groups and with the public, the project increases local people’s access to environmental education.

The Cove Discovery have a beautiful new shop on Brixham high street, which helps generate funds for the conservation and research, providing an important alternative income stream for local conservation work.