LowTide

Step One

Type of LowTide Event

There are two different kinds of LowTide events:

Discovery Walks: A walk out into the inter-tidal area (sea or river) with at least one experienced guide. It is even more interesting to work with more than one guide, in an interdisciplinary approach. For example, good combinations might be a local historian, paired with an ecologist who can talk about how the coast has evolved through human contact. Or, a biologist linked with a storyteller, etc.

EcoFayres: A walk, as above, combined with community participation. This will probably entail some sort of shelter to house exhibitions, displays and art activities.

LowTide has a target audience of children aged 7-12 and their parents or guardians.

Step Two

Where to LowTide?

The destination of a LowTide walk is an inter-tidal area. Walks often follow the course of rivers and/or estuaries to emphasize the connection between rivers and seas.

The most important first point to consider is the safety of the walkers. Double check the time of the LowTide. Walk the route before the day. Is it accessible to people of all ages? Perhaps slippery areas of seaweed can be avoided by the less agile, or the walk splits at a certain point and those who are less able to cope with challenging conditions go with another guide and the rest carry on.

Walks can meet close to the selected part of the beach which has special interest. Try and make the event accessible to those who use public transport (sponsorship from local bus/ferry or train companies can be sought). Aim to be on the beach about 45 minutes before the time of the LowTide.

Walks are also encouraged along rivers to estuaries or associated coasts.

Step Three

Who will lead the walk?

A knowledgeable guide who can get across the a sense of excitement and wonder is important for the success of the walk. Ideally, they should have general knowledge in the following areas:

Natural History, Geology, and current environmental issues affecting the stretch of coast or river.

Knowledge of how to keep children interested is also desirable.

Step Four:

Who to Involve? LowTide Partners

LowTide can offer participating environmental groups the opportunity to work with people outside of their normal sphere of contact, e.g. historians, artists, politicians, local scientists from universities or companies.

Meeting with others is essential to get diverse involvement. Advertise local meeting to other groups and in the press. Make the local meeting accessible: people with disabilities are a priority at LowTide events, therefore make sure your meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Decide who you want to reach with your LowTide event and why.

Think about potential sponsors and fund-raising at this stage. How much will it cost to do the event? A budget might include: co-ordinator time, meeting room hire, workshops before the event, printing, advertising, marquee hire, payment of artists, and a subsidy for target groups to participate.

Step Five:

Publicise the Event

Having decided who your LowTide partners will be and where the event will occur - tell people about it!

Stage One: Use existing newsletters to publicise the date, often these print cycles can be months before LowTide.

Stage Two: Print posters/flyers, use art work from the LowTide Annual Report. Sponsors may want mentioning on posters. Now is also a good time to think about writing a guide for your LowTide event to give to attendees: What are the important issues which are affecting your particular coastal area? Is there an activity you want attendees to take part in after the LowTide event? How about basic monitoring of the beach, or a marine litter survey (Coastwatch). Could you write an annual state of the local water environment or a simple guide to local inter-tidal flora and fauna?Try using environmentally friendlier printers and paper.

Stage Three: Distribute posters & flyers. Target special members of the community, e.g. politicians, to attend your walk. Schools can be helpful- offer children a simple flyer that they can take home to their parents (riverOcean will provide these).

Stage Four: Send a Press Release to local media. Try to arrange an interview on a radio or TV station - contact riverOcean for help. Chances of publicity are good due to the nature of the event.

Step Six:

LowTide

Guide and helpers should check they have safety equipment, mobile phone, first aid kit, whistle etc. Are weather conditions safe?

Consult the Coast Guard if in doubt. Don't be afraid to call off the walk.

Check that people who turn up have suitable clothing, particularly shoes.

Make sure you photograph the event for records (your own and riverOcean 's), and future publicity.

Have a good time.

Step Seven:

Evaluation.

What did attendees think? Are they interested in getting more involved? Pass around a sign up sheet.

What did organisers think? A social on the night of the event helps this process! Please send feedback & addresses back to riverOcean . This helps us improve LowTide every year, and be able to contact those people who have shown interest in our work.

Sites for LowTide are now being booked, and will be posted & updated on the LowTide page. Contact Clive at info@riverocean.org.uk if you are interested in putting on a walk or EcoFayre in your area and would like details of riverOcean 's support package.