We are incredibly proud to say that starting January 2024, Eco Drift will support the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s (HIWWT) seagrass work and chalk stream work. These initiatives aims to restore seagrass meadows across their project, including the Solent region.
Seagrass meadows are essential marine habitats that provide numerous benefits, from acting as nurseries for fish and other marine species to stabilising sediments and absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unfortunately, seagrass meadows worldwide are under threat due to pollution, climate change, and human activities. Here on the Solent, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is working hard to change that.
Did you know? "Seagrasses can capture carbon at rates up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests and account for 10% of the ocean's total burial of carbon (despite covering less than 0.2% of the ocean floor), they are one of our most important natural solutions to the climate change crisis." - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
The Solent Seagrass Restoration Project aims to plant seagrass seeds in the Solent region to create new meadows and restore existing ones. The project also raises awareness about the importance of seagrass meadows and encourages the public to get involved in the restoration efforts.
England, Hampshire specifically, is home to many of the world’s chalk streams, which are becoming endangered. HIWWT’s work looks to protect these important ecosystems by managing evasive species and providing better habitats for our native crayfish.
At Eco Drift, sustainability is a crucial aspect of our business, as is our social impact, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental conservation and protection. By supporting the HIWWT’s seagrass work, we hope to contribute to the restoration of seagrass meadows and the protection of marine biodiversity.
Our initial support came from our donations to the 1% for the Planet organisation, but the more we learned about this particular project, the clearer it became that we had to be more hands-on. We have become a Marine Champion for the HIWTT’s seagrass work.
Becoming a Marine Champion means that Eco Drift supports the Trust’s vital work in the Solent, including volunteering to collect seeds, plant grasses, and monitor their growth. This is on top of our company’s existing pledge to reduce environmental impact, from reducing plastic waste to promoting sustainable practices.
We have joined other businesses as part of the community that share a common goal of promoting sustainability and protecting the marine environment. We believe that working with other companies and organisations can positively impact our planet and create a more sustainable future.
We encourage everyone to learn more about this initiative and get involved in any way possible. Whether it's through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, every little bit helps. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable future for our planet.
[Image credit: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Photographer: Julie Hatcher]