Project Neptune (National Trust) facts for kids
Project Neptune is a big, long-term plan by the National Trust. Its main goal is to buy or protect large parts of the coastline in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This project is also known as Enterprise Neptune. Later, in 1999, it was given a new name: the Neptune Coastline Campaign. The project gets its name from Neptune, who was the Roman god of the sea.
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Protecting Our Coasts
Project Neptune started in May 1965. The very first place it helped protect was Whiteford Burrows in the Gower Peninsula of Wales. The main idea behind the project was simple: to keep beautiful coastlines safe. They wanted to stop these areas from being built on or turned into industrial zones. This way, everyone could enjoy them for years to come.
How Much Coastline Is Protected?
This project has grown a lot over the years.
- By 1973, the project had raised its first big goal of £2 million. It was already looking after 338 miles (544 km) of coastline.
- By 1986, the National Trust had collected £8.75 million through Project Neptune.
- By 2009, the project was protecting 710 miles (1,140 km) of British coastline.
- In May 2015, the project celebrated its 50th birthday. By then, it had helped the National Trust buy 574 miles (924 km) of new coastline. This brought the total amount of coastline the Trust owned to 775 miles (1,247 km).
- Later in 2015, this number grew even more to 780 miles (1,260 km). This means the project now protects about 10% of the entire UK coastline! It covers a huge area of 48,800 hectares (121,000 acres).
Famous Places Protected
Project Neptune has helped protect some of the most famous and beautiful parts of the UK coast.
- It includes land near the amazing Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
- It also protects 5.5 miles (8.9 km) of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover in England.
- Another famous spot is The Needles, a group of chalk stacks off the Isle of Wight.
The project also looks after four World Heritage Sites. These are places recognized globally for their special importance. It even helps care for nine lighthouses, which are vital for guiding ships safely.
Looking to the Future
While Project Neptune has achieved a lot, it hasn't always gotten everything it wanted. For example, in 1981, its bid to buy Land's End was not accepted.
Today, the project mainly focuses on taking care of the coastline it already owns. This includes important work like coastal management. This means looking after the beaches, cliffs, and natural habitats to keep them healthy and safe for both nature and people.
