Dorset Coast Forum have another exciting conference planned this year with insightful speakers, together with our usual fantastic networking opportunities. This year we will also be marking three decades of coastal collaboration as the forum celebrates its 30-year anniversary.
Agenda Highlights:
Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Climate and Ecological Crises
Explore howDorsetâs Clean Energy Super Cluster could create new opportunities for clean energy projects, which have the potential to unlock investment, play a major part in the delivery of the UKâs industrial strategy, and bring wider benefits for local communities and economic growth.
The Changing Tides of Fishing, and Marine Nature Recovery
Hear how fishersâ knowledge is shaping smarter marine planning
Dive into oyster and marine life restoration in the Solent, bringing back lost reefs.
Gain an understanding of Pooleâs Aquatic Management Plan, uniting partners to protect and enhance Poole Harbour for nature, recreation, and business.
Shorelines and Stories: Building Coastal Community Connections
Hear how the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Towns of Culture, and Dorsetâs Beach Access Project all spark community pride and creativityâconnecting people to the coast through world-famous geology, vibrant arts, and accessible beaches that everyone can enjoy.
For bulk ticket purchase or if you need an invoice, please email us directly at dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk to book your tickets instead of booking via the Eventbrite page and we will send you an invoice.
We are delighted to announce âDiscovery Festâ â as part of Dorset Coast Forumâs 30th Anniversary Celebrations, we are joining up with Planet Purbeck to present this joint vibrant, family-friendly festival by the sea.
đ FREE family fun day
đ Explore Dorsetâs stunning coastline, wildlife, and natural landscapes
đ Over 30 exciting activities and exhibitors
Guided Walks & Experiences
Swanage Old & New Guided Walk
đ 11am & 2pm, 1-mile walk
Discover Swanage through the ages on a gentle, family-friendly walk led by Steve Wallis, Dorset Councilâs Archaeologist. Uncover hidden historical features and stories that bring the townâs rich past to life.
Step back in time and walk where dinosaurs once roamed! Led by Sam Scriven, Principal Officer and Geologist for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this family-friendly outdoor adventure explores the famous Spyway Dinosaur Footprints.
Explore one of the most geologically rich and visually stunning stretches of the Jurassic Coast. Led by Sam Scriven, this tour brings Dorsetâs ancient landscapes to life through expert storytelling.
We are thrilled to announce the start of the DCF 30 year anniversary celebrations! This milestone marks three decades of achievements made possible through our valued partnerships. As part of our celebrations, we aim to showcase these accomplishments and honour those who have played, and those who presently play, an active role in bringing wider benefits to the Dorset Coast. From policy makers to beach cleaners, fishers to lifeguards, and conservationists to swimmers, each one is a champion of our coast.
Nominate your coastal champion!
To kick off the celebrations, we invite you to nominate your coastal champion – someone who lives or works along the Dorset coast, from all ages, backgrounds, and sectors. We would love to hear the story of this person, their work or passion for the coast, whilst raising awareness of challenges that coastal communities face.
Successful nominations will be featured in our âCoastal Life Storiesâ exhibition, highlighting the diverse and inspiring stories of our Dorset coastal communities. The Coastal Life Stories exhibition will be displayed at various coastal events and locations throughout the year, finishing in our 30-year celebration at the DCF conference in November.
Contact us with your nomination and a short paragraph of why you think this person is a coastal champion and should be part of the Coastal Life Stories exhibition.
The deadline for nominations has been extended to Tuesday 22 April 2025
Portland and Wyke Regis communities and stakeholders are invited to engagement events to help with the development of the new Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Strategy for the area from Portland Underhill to Wyke Regis.
As part of the current engagement round, the Dorset Coast Forum will be hosting two in-person drop-in events and an online presentation, where the baseline understanding and findings will be presented, and members of the project team will be available to answer questions. The team are keen to hear from you on whether you agree with the baseline findings and have any suggestions for how the coastal risks can be managed.
The engagement event details are below:
In-person drop-in event: Wednesday 19th March, anytime between 2:30pm â 5:30pm â Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1JN.
In-person drop-in event: Tuesday 25th March, anytime between 2:30 â 7pm â Wyke Regis Working Menâs Club, 56 Portland Road, Weymouth, DT4 9AB.
Online survey: to share your feedback with the project team. Take survey here
Further information and online survey: Further information including draft baseline reports that provide in-depth detail about the work to date are available on the project website, along with an online survey where you can provide feedback.
Main image: DCF team member Ziggy the Collie, winter walking at the Fleet, Chesil Beach (Credit Sara Parker)
DCF News Summary
Celebrating 30 Years of DCF in 2025! This year marks a significant milestone for DCF as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, DCF has achieved remarkable success, thanks to the continued support of our partners, collaborators, and coastal communities. To commemorate this journey, we have exciting celebration plans in store. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months!
The Great Gale exhibition is back for 2025! After the success of the touring exhibition across the Dorset coast last autumn, the exhibition will be on display from Monday 27 January at Swanage Tourist Information Centre until mid-March. The exhibition delves into the history of the hurricane-force storm that devastated the Dorset Coast in 1824, explores the lasting impacts and how to prepare and predict for a similar event should that ever happen again. More dates and venues for 2025 will be announced shortly!
Youth Engagement Sara enjoyed a brilliant evening with Portland Youth Council as a guest of Island Community Action. They discussed local flood and coastal erosion projects, resilience to climate change and listening to the youth councilâs own ideas on how best DCF and partners can connect with and imbed the ideas, suggestions, and solutions of young people in our project communities. Following the launch of DCFâs Education Hub we hope to increase opportunities for young people to have their say.
Outdoor Classroom Day, Atlantic Academy Portland Sara and Nikki visited Atlantic Academy, Portland this month to run coastal management sessions with Year 6 and Year 11 students. Activities included using our wave tank providing an immersive experience of how different coastal defences can help to protect our coastal communities. See the flood tank in action on our Outdoor Classroom Day page.
The Great Gale 1824 Exhibition – See on the ITV Evening News this Friday!
The Great Gale will feature on ITV West Country and Meridian evening news 6pm this Friday 22nd November – the 200th anniversary of The Great Gale to the day!
DCF in collaboration with the Environment Agency and BCP Council bring together a free exhibition that explores the impacts the Great Gale of 1824. It features stories and accounts, delving into the reasons behind the storm and how we can predict and prepare for possible similar future events. The exhibition has been touring the Dorset coast and will end in Portland on 22-24th November, with B-Side hosting further events from 21-24 November The Great Gale – B-Side Arts Festival
DCF (with the help of Dorset Council GIS team) have created a new interactive map to support and align with the Dorset Coast Strategy objectives #EnjoyTheCoast #RespectTheCoast #CoastalInnovation #CoastalConnection and #Coastal Recovery. It is a resource for DCF members and the wider public to find information about our coast, currently including coastal designations, blue flag beaches, NCI lookout stations and RNLI lifeguarded beaches. We would like to hear your views on new layers that would be useful to you.
You can find it on the Dorset Coast Strategy page on our website or on Dorset Explorer by changing version in the title bar to Dorset Coast Strategy.
DCF Conference 2024Thatâs a wrap for another year! Â
We would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who joined us – it was a great success with 120 of our members in attendance. The theme this year was Coastal Change and the line up included 12 inspirational presentations, a facilitated workshop, and 9 information stands, many of which offered examples of interactive ways to engage with communities. A big thank you to all our speakers for their engaging presentations, the information stands, our hosts at Weymouth Pavilion, and also our sponsors: Moffatt & Nichol, WSP and ARC Marine. Â
Feedback from the conference has been very positive â see highlights below. For more details of the conference, including presentation slides, please see the DCF Conference 2024 webpage. If you have ideas for next yearâs, please get in touch. >> DCF Conference 2024
