Group celebrates four decades of protecting the south Cumbria coast

Saturday June 29 is World Sand Dune Day and will coincide with the landmark milestone following the trust's continued work at Sandscale Haws on the Duddon Estuary.

Thanks to innovative and species-saving conservation work by the charity, many rare pioneer plants on the brink of extinction can survive at this site.

Sandscale Haws has grown to be a popular spot for locals and visitors alike (Image: National Trust)

Darren Mason, a ranger in the area, said: "That’s 40 years of seeing the tide and storms bashing at the frontal dunes and completely changing the dynamic of the beach and dunes.

"It’s 40 years of clearing scrub in the winter to keep the sand dunes open, and 40 years of keeping pools wet for natterjacks to spawn, monitoring plants, flowers, fungi, birds and invertebrates which make this unique place their home.

"It’s also 40 years of balancing the role of welcoming people in to enjoy this special place while making sure that wildlife doesn’t lose its special place."

Tasks undertaken by the two rangers and volunteers include managing the different types of vegetation, flora and fauna surveys, checking fencing to keep cows in the right place, and getting involved in research and trials.

One of the protected residents at Sandscale Haws is the natterjack toad (Image: National Trust)

Darren added: “Sandscale Haws is a very tranquil place and a hidden gem - locals come once or twice a day, often for dog-walking, families visit in the summer looking for shrimps, peeler crabs and young flounder fish.

"We also get nature lovers coming some distance to see the coralroot orchid, or the red listed Dune helleborine, or for spectacular bird watching and to hear our very noisy natterjack toads."

To celebrate the anniversary, a film is being produced, which will be shown at the end of the year and it will reflect the wildlife and people at Sandscale and what makes it so special.

“With the impacts of climate change starting to be felt, places like Sandscale Haws are even more important."

“Both for protecting critical infrastructure such as the railway line, prime agricultural land against flooding and as vital homes for nature - it makes our work here very rewarding and worthwhile.”