Final Straw Foundation CIO

BEACH CLEAN NEXT WEEK: 29th December, 10:00-12:00 Eastney Beach, Ferry Road Car Park, Portsmouth, Hampshire. Fresh air does wonders for Festive cheese fog. Come join us and then head home, content knowing you've helped protect the beach, ready for another slither of brie. Bring your kids, your dogs, your friends. The more the merrier! Kindly pre-register (takes just 1minute) so we know, roughly, how much equipment to bring. See you there! https://lnkd.in/g4yZU9Dc #BeachClean #HampshireEvents #CommunityAction #OceanProtection #ActiveCitizens

It's the UK Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. We love being by the sea as the season changes, embracing stillness and reflection. We hope this winter brings you joy and connection with nature. #WinterSolstice #Reflections #Nature

As 2024 wraps up, we're enjoying reading many LinkedIn posts from businesses reflecting on their achievements, their learnings, and several dishing out bonuses based on performance reviews. This got us thinking... imagine if Final Straw Foundation was rewarded in the same way… So far in 2024 (and we're not done yet): Waste cleaned from beaches? >2.4 tonnes—BOOM, bonus unlocked! Fabric saved from landfill & repurposed as borrow bags? 300kgs—CHA-CHING! Children educated through Workshops, Activities & Wild Beach Schools? 13,512—proof that we can make funding for education far-reaching! Water quality research conducted? Absolutely, did you see our poem Cocaine Crabs?—Let’s Shellebrate! Now, we may not get performance bonuses, but we do get the satisfaction of knowing we’re making a vital difference for our Ocean. And honestly? That’s priceless. The thing is, our "funding" comes directly from your support. Every donation helps us do more, clean more, educate more, inspire more, and protect more. So if you’ve got wiggle room for one additional good deed in 2024, why not “review” us with a year-end gift? And make 2025 a bonus year for the planet—because the environment deserves all the rewards. Donate now: https://lnkd.in/ewF73QhY

Industry regulator Ofwat has today agreed that water companies can raise bills by 36% (on average and before inflation) over the next 5 years. "It seems hugely unfair that people are being made to pay higher water bills, especially since the increases are due to the water industry's failure to invest properly over the years. Customers are now paying to fix and improve the system, while the companies who have already benefitted from huge profits over the years will see their assets grow in value using this rise in bills as investment" says Lissie Pollard, our COO. Southern Water customers will be hit by the biggest increase. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ggpu7jAC

Merry Christmas. We couldn't do it without YOU. Whether you've engaged with us on LinkedIn, joined us for a team beach clean, worked with us to reduce plastic across your operation, generously donated to our mission, ditched the single-use plastic drinks bottles for a refillable one, or supported our education outreach and research work, you're part of the solution and we are so grateful. Thank you. #OceanProtection #Gratitude #Charity

Watchdog finds UK Government has broken the law on sewage. Read more: https://lnkd.in/etBVr49d Sewage is the waste that comes from our toilets, baths, showers, and sinks. This clip shows a spill we noticed and tested in Langstone Harbour as an example. Could your business donate £250 to Final Straw Foundation CIO to help us continue conducting our vital water quality testing & research in The Solent? If so, please get in touch. We'd be incredibly grateful...there's a phenomenal amount of work required to further understand what's in the water, the forever chemicals, the microplastics, the particulates and how they're impacting wildlife, flora, fauna and human health.

Discover the Wonders of The Solent: Hurst Castle Spit Hurst Spit is a hook-shaped shingle spit which extends for 1.4 miles (2.25 km) from the Hampshire shore into the Solent towards the Isle of Wight. Since 1786 the lighthouse has been guiding ships into the channel between The Needles and the mainland. Keep an eye out for: 🐬 Dolphins: bottlenose and common dolphins often pass by. 🦭 Seals: harbor seals sometimes haul out along nearby sandbanks. 🐦 Seabirds: watch gannets diving into the waves offshore. 💡 Our local tip: Wear appropriate footwear for the shingle. Enjoy a ferryride from Keyhaven. #TheSolent #MarineMammals #Appreciation

Congratulations to milko marchetti for winning the Nikon Europe wildlife comedy photograph 2024 with this brilliant, rare red squirrel shot! Our other favourite was this seal image captured by Marti Phillips. You can catch all images at The Gallery at The Arc, Winchester until 8th January 2025. Hampshire Cultural Trust

Our flabbers are gasted... We find all manner of things on our beach cleans & litter picks. What have you come across? Come join us on a clean. Don't worry, we won't let you pick up any dog poo bags, we insist on keeping that glamorous job for ourselves...but you can help us remove all of the single-use-plastic waste and other rubbish responsibly. https://lnkd.in/eFsZDh2n

Discover the wonders of The Solent: Thorney Island We love the quieter, more secluded experience that Thorney Island offers for wildlife. In this part of Chichester Harbour, keep an eye out for: 🐦 Rare Birds: Spot spoonbills, greenshanks, and warblers in this birdwatching haven. 🌿 Salt Marsh Life: Explore vibrant marshes supporting unique plants and insects. 🦭 Seal Sightings: Look offshore for playful seals lounging on sandbanks. 💡 Our Local Tip: Take the Thorney Island circular walk for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets (as dreamy as this one that Hannah Cooper captured in the image below). Do you have a Thorney Island wildlife encounter, memory or tip you can share? #TheSolent #ChichesterHarbour #Seals #SaltMarsh #Environment #WildlifeProtection