WWSC Charity for 2025

Published 11:47 on 4 Mar 2025

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• Friends of Chichester Harbour (FoCH) is a small local charity dedicated to conserving and restoring the natural beauty of Chichester Harbour. Their work focuses on impactful projects such as improving water quality, protecting marine wildlife, and supporting habitats like bird nesting areas. Here are some example initiatives to give you a feel for the charity's recent priorities and partnerships:
• · Oyster Restoration: In partnership with Emsworth Marina, FoCH are funding the planting of 4000 oysters (in cages) in March this year. A single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day, helping to reduce pollutants and create cleaner harbour waters and marine environment for all. This is the first phase in what they hope to be a multi phased programme of oyster restoration.
• · Tern Rafts and Tern TV: FoCH partnered with CHC to introduce these floating platforms back in 2022/2023 which provide safe nesting spaces for little terns and common terns, both of which are at risk due to habitat loss and disturbance. More recently FoCH have supported the introduction of 'Tern TV' so anyone can witness these nesting sites. Link here to tern tv.
• · Bird Hotels: FoCH erected their first 'bird hotel' in Emsworth in 2024 to provide habitat to endangered birds such as Swifts and House Martins. They are currently in discussions with the WW Parish Council to introduce a further bird hotel on parish land in West Wittering in 2025.
• · Rewilding: FoCH partnered with Chichester Harbour Trust in 2024 to fund the rewilding of Marina Farm, in the hope it would transform into a thriving habitat for wildlife and benefit the wider harbour ecosystem.
• · Education: FoCH provides valuable support annually to the Chichester Harbour Education Centre, enabling local schools and communities to engage with and learn about the harbour's unique environments. Here is a link to FoCH's website: The Friends of Chichester Harbour

Last updated 12:00 on 4 March 2025