The best thing about being a volunteer at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre in Kimmeridge is that no two days are ever the same. You never know who might come through the door – some visitors find us by happy accident, others have come especially, some know a great deal about the marine environment, others have no prior knowledge at all. 

Weekends and holidays bring families keen to get stuck into the centre’s ‘sandpit of special treasures’ – crab claws, mermaid’s purses, dolphin vertebrae, scallop shells – while on weekdays we greet hikers, dog walkers and those seeking the peace of the seashore. Our indoor rockpool is often the first area of interest and a great opportunity for us to point out some of our temporary residents and open up a conversation. It’s one of my favourite parts of the job, getting to chat to visitors old and young, and sharing a little of the wisdom I’ve gained from more experienced volunteers. 

My main reason for joining the visitor centre team was to improve my knowledge of a natural environment that I have always loved, and to show others that the seashore is more than simply a place to lay your beach towel. Since I started as a volunteer in February 2023, with a very rudimentary knowledge of marine life, I’m happy to say that I’m now much better equipped to share the unique delights of Kimmeridge Bay with our visitors. There are so many great learning opportunities here, and what seems daunting at first quickly becomes familiar under the helpful guidance of the centre managers and marine wardens. The tasks are many and varied, from feeding the fish and monitoring conditions in the aquaria, to replenishing stock in the shop and serving customers at the till. We undertake regular checks of the seashore and the bay itself to determine how visitors use the area – swimming, snorkelling, rockpooling and fossil hunting are all popular activities. 

I’ve learned a lot about species identification from joining in with rockpool ramble events run by Dorset Wildlife Trust - they’re a brilliant way to explore the shoreline and discover the myriad of little lifeforms that can withstand the hardships of living in the intertidal zone. This has led me to participate in Shoresearch surveys, from which data is collected to help us better understand any changes to populations as a result of climate change and biodiversity decline. For me, it’s the perfect illustration of how much the small things matter. 

For many visitors in the summer months, the Kimmeridge snorkel trail is a highlight. Equipment is available at the centre for sale or for hire and it’s always enjoyable to offer advice on how best to navigate the watery world in our little corner of Purbeck. Reports so far this season indicate rainbow wrack in abundance, its purple/blue fronds magically appearing when covered by the sea. Worth a dip, I think! 

Volunteering at Dorset Wildlife Trust