Natural Environment Group (NEG) Funding
Each year NEG has a small amount of funding available for its members for research. It funds projects that address issues raised or gaps in the evidence base identified in the Solent Marine Sites (SEMS) Management Report or pressures from activities highlighted in the condition assessments of the Solent's designated sites (view on Natural England's DSS). Bids can be for projects either undertaken alone or in partnership with others.
Where possible the bid should be match funded and other sources of funding should have been explored. We do not fund ongoing long term studies, surveys or work that is deemed to be 'core work' of other organisations. A condition of the funding is that the final project output will be made available to NEG for public dissemination. The project lead will also be invited to present their findings at a NEG meeting.
Evidence Requirements from the Solent Marine Sites Management Report
- Methodology to monitor drone use across the designated sites and record any bird disturbance
- Mapping of coastal litter hotspots across the Solent
- Evaluation of impacts of litter on the SPA bird population
- Density of and/or impacts of coastal walking on sensitive sites like bird feeding and roosting areas
- The presence and prevalance of microplastics in the Solent's designated habitats, e.g. saltmarsh, mudflats
- Mapping of hand gathering and foraging of coastal resources like samphire and shellfish
- Evaluation of Apps/online resources that can be used to record recreational activity across the Solent
Bidding Timetable
The timescale for bidding and voting in a given year is as follows:
- Call for projects is sent out by NEG secretariat in February
- Applicants submit project bidding pro-forma in March
- Project bidding pro-formas sent to NEG members for voting on in April
Download the - project bidding pro forma.
Projects Awarded Funding for 2025/26
- Drug accumulation in fish of the Solent.
Projects Awarded Funding for 2024/25
- When is a wading bird not a wading bird? The case of the European Starling
- ‘Portunus’ - Exploring and recording the underwater habitats of Langstone and Chichester Harbours
Projects Awarded Funding for 2023/24
- It’s the water quality, stupid! Identifying the risks to support successful restoration in the Solent. Presentation made at Nov 2023 NEG meeting.
Projects Awarded Funding for 2022/23
- Fathom Ecology, Intertidal Seagrass Restoration in the Solent - Final Report, November 2024
- Fathom Ecology, Intertidal Seagrass Restoration in the Solent. Presentation made at April 2024 NEG meeting.
- HCC Recoding Snipe on coastal site using one thermal imager
- HCC equipment to capture Snipe at Lymington/Keyhaven
- Lands' End saltmarsh passive sediment retention study
Projects Awarded Funding for 2021/22
Projects Awarded Funding for 2020/21
Four bids were received and voted on by NEG members. There was a clear case to award funds to the following projects:
- Saltmarsh passive regrowth promotion – Lands End, Old Bursledon
- Using height markers on lamp columns to raise flood awareness and encourage climate action in Portsmouth
Projects Awarded Funding for 2019/20
- Study and development of strategy for water quality improvements associated with grey water discharge in Bembridge Harbour. Bid by Isle of Wight Council.
Other Past Funded Research
- Solent Oyster Restoration Project by the University of Portsmouth
- Solent and Brent Goose Strategy: Bird Movement Study by the Hants and Wight Wildlife Trust
- SEMS Recreation Focus Group developed guidelines for paddlesports users on how to avoid disturbing birds in the Solent European Marine Sites.
- Small fish surveys in Chichester Harbour. This survey monitors the fish populations in the harbour and additonally uses the data as an indicator of its ecological status and habitat health.
- University of Southampton project that looked at the effects of microplastic water pollution in the Solent on the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis).
- Update to the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy. This is led by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and seeks to to produce a comprehensive analysis of which sites currently form the ecological network for protected coastal bird species.
- The Effect of Pharmaceuticals on the Regeneration of Nereis virens, a Common Solent Polychaete. Beth Hawdon, University of Portsmouth. 2015.
- Solent Oyster Stock Assessment. Southern IFCA. 2015
- A “three dimensional” Review of the Impacts of Hovercraft and Paramotor on Waterbirds. Report by Anikó Gaál, University of Southampton, Sept 2014.
- Water-based recreation disturbance on coastal bird populations. A canoeing/kayaking case study in Langstone Harbour, UK - Sara Méndez Roldán, University of Portsmouth, 2012/13.
Past Projects with NEG Contribution
- Pilot Catchment Based Approach for Sowley Pond, March 2013.
- Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy
- Solent Disturbance and Mitigation project
- Solent Seagrass Project
