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🌊 Discovery Fest, Sat 20 Sept, Swanage🌿

We are delighted to announce ‘Discovery Fest’ – as part of Dorset Coast Forum’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations, we are joining up with Planet Purbeck to present this joint vibrant, family-friendly festival by the sea.

We invite DCF members to take part and join us with your Gazebo or Tabletop Information Stand – bring an interactive activity, walk or talk to inspire and engage visitors of all ages! This is a chance for you to showcase your project, community group or initiative, connect with the public, and celebrate our incredible Dorset coastline.

To secure your place, for more information or to chat through your activity ideas, please contactNikki and Izzy at:

📧dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or 01305 224833

Celebrating Coastal Lives – Thank You for Your Nominations!

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for a Coastal Champion as part of our 30-year celebrations! Your incredible support is helping to bring to life the Coastal Life Stories exhibition, which will showcase the inspiring and diverse stories of people who live and work along Dorset’s beautiful coastline.

We received a fantastic response and are thrilled to announce we have 18 amazing Coastal Champions who will feature in the exhibition. Over the coming weeks, our team will be meeting with each champion to capture their stories and portraits, which will form the travelling photographic exhibition planned later this year.

Stay tuned for updates and get ready to be inspired by the lives shaped by our coast!

Find out more about DCF’s 30-Year Celebrations 2025 here >> 30 year Celebrations 2025 | Dorset Coast Forum

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

In May, Dorset Coast Forum facilitated a workshop for Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site stakeholders, to gather their views about the future of the Site. Over sixty people attended and work in groups to discuss six key themes – Coastal Management, Tourism, Fossil Collecting, Community Engagement, Fossil Collections Management, and Education. The atmosphere was positive and constructive, and a wealth of ideas and insights were collected by the facilitators.

A particularly positive aspect of the day was that attendees represented a true cross-section of the various interests along the World Heritage Site, from Landowners and Museums, to tourism experts, fossil collectors, academics, parish councillors and staff from the national teams of Natural England and Historic England. Dorset Council, Devon County Council and the World Heritage Site Principal Officer are in the process of compiling the notes gathered at the workshop and will be sharing their findings soon. This was just the first step in planning for a new model of management for the Jurassic Coast.

For advice about the World Heritage Site you can contact Sam at sam.scriven@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and 01305 224739

We’re excited to welcome Matthew Smith, who joined the DCF team at the end of March. With a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Glaciology, Matt brings a strong academic foundation and over 13 years of experience in the field studies sector, primarily across Dorset and the Southwest. Matt’s deep knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural environment make him a valuable addition to the team. Outside of work, he’s an avid rock climber and trail runner—pursuits that reflect his adventurous spirit and passion for the outdoors.

You can contact Matt at matthew.smith@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  or 01305228494