Amidst growing environmental challenges, the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project is making significant strides, using funding from two community energy groups – Ferry Farm Community Solar and Meadow Blue Community Energy.
In 2022, these not-for-profit community benefit societies granted over £85,000 to support the aims of the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project. Among its primary goals is the natural recovery of local kelp forests and other essential fish habitats in Sussex.
Since 2022, the significance of the project has resonated far beyond its local scope. Most notably, a documentary titled ‘Our Sea Forest’, recently aired on BBC1 as part of the Our Lives series. This documentary narrates the journey of Eric Smith, a local free diver who witnessed the loss of Sussex kelp and is now witnessing its remarkable recovery. For those interested, you can watch the documentary on BBC iPlayer.
To ensure the project progresses seamlessly, the funds from both Community Energy Groups have been specifically directed towards supporting a dedicated Kelp Recovery Coordinator, owing to the project’s complexity and extensive scope. Henri Brocklebank, the Chair of the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project expressed his gratitude, stating “We are extremely grateful to have received funding from both Ferry Farm Community Solar and Meadow Blue Community Energy towards our work on the Sussex Kelp Recovery. With so much pace and ambition linked to the recovery of the Sussex kelp we have found that our SKRP partnership needs the dedicated time and input of a technical specialist to keep the numerous strands of work cohesive and progressing.”
Ferry Farm Community Solar and Meadow Blue Community Energy are professionally managed by Communities for Renewables CIC. They have been harnessing the power of the sun and generating electricity and income since June 2016. The surplus income generated by their solar farms is reinvested to support a range of community-led initiatives dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and safeguarding wildlife across West Sussex.
For more information, visit their websites:
https://www.ferryfarmsolar.co.uk/
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