A new community-led mapping platform is shining a light on coastal change around Poole Harbour
Local Voices Lead the Way
A new community-led mapping platform is shining a light on coastal change around Poole Harbour and other vulnerable Dorset shores. Launched by the Coasts in Mind project, this innovative tool captures local experiences of climate change, putting human stories at the heart of discussions on heritage and the environment.
Community Knowledge Meets Science
Developed by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the platform blends archaeological expertise with insights from local residents. While scientists and historians recognise the importance of Dorset’s coastal sites, the experiences of the people living alongside, who are the direct witnesses to the impacts of climate change, are often overlooked. Coasts in Mind aims to change that.
Brownsea Island: A Window into Coastal Change
One of the key sites already added to the map is the historic Barnes Brick Kiln on Brownsea Island. Used from the 1600s through the 1800s, the kilns are a reminder of the island’s industrial past. Now, this heritage is under threat from the sea.
Senior Community Archaeologist Hazel Crabb explains:
“The brick kilns on Brownsea’s southern shoreline were first recorded in the 1980s and are a prime example of how archaeological features can be used to monitor coastal change. By collating images and surveys from the past 40 years, thanks to local volunteers and the National Trust, we can track the retreating shoreline, with around 4 metres of fragile cliff and beach eroded in that time – taking much of the brick kilns with it. The site is almost completely unrecognisable from photographs taken 20 or even 10 years ago.“
Workshops and Community Participation
Over the next six months, free workshops, creative projects, and training sessions will allow more local residents to contribute to the platform. Participants will learn to add and moderate their own submissions, helping create a living record of coastal change around Poole Harbour.
Lawrence Northall, Project Manager, says:
“Co-designed with community members, the Coasts in Mind Mapping Platform is an exciting and unique new tool, that enables people to curate their own local evidence of climate and coastal change. In doing so, it will give greater value to the expertise of local knowledge and help empower communities to present their own narratives of change in a publicly accessible format.“
He added: “Ultimately, we intend this to influence policymakers and wider public perceptions of change, including its causes and effects on local environments, heritage, and front-line communities.”
Shaping Policy and Public Understanding
The Coasts in Mind map is more than just a digital record – it’s designed to influence policymakers, researchers, and the public by highlighting real-life experiences of climate impact. Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, adds:
“By capturing these stories, we’re not only preserving heritage but also helping communities build resilience for the future.”
The project will run for three years, covering Poole Harbour in Dorset, Taw-Torridge Estuary in Devon, Swale Estuary in Kent, and Sefton Coast in Merseyside, with the aim of creating a national model for community-led climate documentation.
Explore the Coasts in Mind Mapping Platform and see local stories for yourself: cim.mola.org.uk/map
Coastal Change Event in Wareham: Young People in Wareham
For those aged 16–25, Coasts in Mind is hosting an intergenerational workshop in Wareham to explore how the town’s river, quay, and coast have transformed over time — and imagine what the future might hold.
Event Details:
Young People in Wareham Museum: Exploring Coastal Change
Date: Tuesday 14 October 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Wareham Town Hall, Corn Exchange, BH20 4NS
Spaces are limited, and booking is required. Photos, video, and audio recordings will be taken during the event. The venue is wheelchair accessible with ground-floor access from North Street. If you can’t attend after booking, your spot will be offered to someone else.
Link to book tickets to the Coastal Change event at Wareham.
