Dynamic Dunescapes is an ambitious project, rejuvenating some of England & Wales' most important sand dunes for people, communities and wildlife.
Many of us know and love sand dunes as beautiful coastal landscapes, but they are also important biodiversity hotspots. These dunes are a sanctuary for rare species which are perfectly adapted to live in sand. At a healthy dune, you could find orchids, toads, birds and lizards thriving!
But these special creatures are at risk. Over time, many dunes have become covered by grass and scrub which have over-stabilised the sand, and invasive species have overtaken native ones. We now know that a dune environment needs areas of freely-moving sand, healthy sheltered dune slacks and areas with low vegetation to support its diverse wildlife. We’re using pioneering conservation techniques to rejuvenate the dunes and make their shifting sands the perfect home for our threatened wildlife again.
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Important Notice:
When visiting your local sand dunes, remember to follow
Coronavirus restrictions and The Countryside Code.
Join us for World Sand Dune Day
June 25th - the first day of its kind designed to highlight the importance of sand dunes!
Sand Dune Site Managers: Download our new handbook
Featuring detailed methodologies to keep your dune management skills and understanding up to date, and to help you plan the best interventions for your dune site.
Dynamic Dunescapes for you
Whether you're exploring with your family, ready to join our volunteers or seeking innovative student research opportunities there’s a side of Dynamic Dunescapes for everyone.
News and Blogs
Find out about the latest exciting news from the dunes and read about our conservation actions in our blog.
Painted cow sculpture trail arrives at Woolacombe Dunes for the summer
On June 25th, to celebrate the first World Sand Dune Day, ten bright and bold, community-painted cow sculptures will form a fun and educational ‘Cows on Dunes’ visitor trail through the dunes
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR: Selection Bird Sightings 19th March to15th April 2021
Our wonderful volunteer and keen birder Cliff Morison shares some of his top avian sightings from Lincolnshire’s Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve in April 2021.
Managing people and birds in harmony at North Walney NNR
Natural England Senior Reserves Manager, John Osborne, shares his experiences supporting the breeding ringed plover, tern and oystercatcher populations at North Walney NNR in Cumbria.
Introducing World Sand Dune Day!
Join us on the June 25th as we celebrate the first World Sand Dune Day – established to highlight the importance of and beauty of sand dunes!
Cows are coming to Studland Bay!
Have you spotted any new faces at Studland Bay? From April 2021, ten bright arty cows will be unveiled on the dunes.
Removing Invasive Clematis from Lincolnshire’s Dunes
Find out how our Natural England team in Lincolnshire are restoring dunes by removing an invasive plant species which smothers habitats.
Poetry Spotlight: Bethan Laurels
Nature has long roused artists and creatives. In this series meet our collaborative poet Bethan and enjoy her evocative coast-inspired work.
February bird sightings and marine wash-outs at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR
Join Cliff Morrison for a wildlife-spotting trip to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR in Lincolnshire.
Listen: Explore Anderby Creek with Tish from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Listen for winter birdsong and join Tish as she explores the sand dunes at Anderby, watches for wildlife and admires the expansive skies.
January Bird sightings at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR
There are many keen birders involved in Dynamic Dunescapes, and one such individual is Cliff Morrison who volunteers at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR in Lincolnshire. In this blog series, he’ll be sharing his recent experiences and bird sightings at the reserve.
We’re carving notches in the dunes at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR
V-shaped gaps will be excavated in the front of selected sand dunes at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR to improve these dunes for rare wildlife.
Introducing World Sand Dune Day!
Join us on the June 25th as we celebrate the first World Sand Dune Day – established to highlight the importance of and beauty of sand dunes!
Removing Invasive Clematis from Lincolnshire’s Dunes
Find out how our Natural England team in Lincolnshire are restoring dunes by removing an invasive plant species which smothers habitats.
Top Half-Term Activities for Families in the Sand Dunes
This October half term, we’ve chosen some of our favourite family activities for you and the kids, from exploring the dunes in search of some of the fantastic autumn plants and fungi that are growing right now, to downloading some of our sand dune wildlife spotter activity sheets!
What’s new at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR
In the spring of 2020, the progress of Dynamic Dunescapes project work in Lincolnshire has of course been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s an update on what we have been able to do at Saltfleetby-Theedlethorpe NNR.
WW2 Aircraft Artifact Found in the Sefton Coast Sand Dunes
As we celebrate 75 years since the end of the Second World War in 2020, one of the Dynamic Dunescapes project sites offered up a previously unearthed piece of wartime history, buried in the dunes for over three quarters of a century.
New fences protect toads and help cattle in Lincolnshire
In February this year our Lincolnshire team installed a series of new fences in carefully-chosen sites across the dunes at Saltfleetby-Theedlethorpe. The purpose of these new fences is to protect certain areas, including some of the pools that are used as key breeding areas for the dunes’ population of rare natterjack toads. The fences are…
