National Trust Wales is urging visitors to do their bit for the coast this year by joining in with the conservation charity’s series of beach cleans and volunteering opportunities across the country.

With marine litter a growing problem and all sorts of items washing up on our beaches, from cotton buds to fishing nets, keeping the coastline clean is a constant battle.

The Trust cares for 157 miles of Wales’ coastline and welcomes around 3.2 million visitors to its seaside sights each year. From Pembrokeshire to Porthdinllaen and Rhossili to Ragwen, the charity is encouraging communities to come together and play their part in safeguarding special places for everyone to enjoy, including the resident wildlife.

In South West Wales, the teams in Gower and Pembrokeshire have introduced the Big Beach Clean Challenge where visitors can take part in an organised beach clean at a different location every month. Previous events held have seen more than 200 people join in with more than a tonne of rubbish already collected; the equivalent in weight to a narwhal whale.

In North West Wales, people can get stuck in with the two minute beach clean initiative at sites such as Porth y Swnt, Aberdaron, and come along to bigger events such as the Spring Clean beach clean.

“It’s all about teamwork and community spirit; every item collected and removed from our shores helps make a difference,” explains Matt Thompson, National Trust area ranger for North Pembrokeshire.

“Our visitors always comment on the feel good factor of dedicating an hour or two to take part and do their bit for the coast,” he continues.

That’s why National Trust Wales created the COASTodian scheme which provides regular opportunities for people who visit their local beauty spot to play a vital part in its care, by checking the condition of paths, monitoring wildlife, informing the ranger of any issues and helping others enjoy the site.

The scheme has already proven popular in Carmarthenshire where a team of four COASTodians commit their time to litter picking and looking after the environment for future generations.

“We all have a part to play in caring for the coast and safeguarding these special places for ever, for everyone,” Matt concludes.

Find out more about the National Trust’s coastal conservation work, beach cleans and how to get involved at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales-coast