Employees from Stagecoach head office and the Barrow-in-Furness depot volunteered to help collect plastic and waste at South Walney Nature Reserve. This beautiful nature reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria, as well as a range of rare and protected birds.

Despite the breath-taking landscape, the nature reserve near Barrow-in-Furness is also home to a multitude of plastic and rubbish that washes up on the shores, polluting the space and threatening the safety of wildlife, particularly Arctic terns, oystercatcher, eider duck, ringed plover and lapwing which nest on the beach.

Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire said: “We’re incredibly lucky to have such an incredible landscape on our doorstep, home to a vast amount of wildlife, and we really do need to look after it. If we can play even a small part in preserving an area like South Walney, we’re delighted to do so.”

We work with a range of groups, including local businesses, doing beach clean-ups throughout the year along the Cumbria coast, collecting tonnes of rubbish from the coastline. From preventing plastic entering the marine environment, to keeping land animals out of harm's way, we are committed to protecting the landscape and wildlife throughout the region.

Michelle Waller, Donor & Partnerships Manager, Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We’re very grateful to the team from Stagecoach for carrying out this beach clean with us. Everyone really got stuck in and did a brilliant job of removing litter from the beaches.

"South Walney Nature Reserve is a very special place for wildlife, especially grey seals and birds, which use the nature reserve to breed and to rest and feed on migration. Sadly, litter is constantly washing up on the beaches here, so the team from Stagecoach have really made a huge difference for this amazing wildlife. If any other business teams would like to help us clean up the beaches, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at Wildwork@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk.”

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, South Walney Nature Reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching. It is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. Please note there is strictly no access to the beach where the seals are located. The nature reserve is open daily 10am to 5pm, only assistance dogs are allowed.