PROJECT 004π
North York Moors national park
Intertidal habitats
Episode 5
Episode 5 of Wild Spaces takes us to Staithes, a coastal village within the North York Moors National Park.
The Concrete Coast project, led by the Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership (YMNP), is reimagining how we protect and enhance our shorelines. Instead of seeing sea walls and coastal defences as lifeless barriers, this initiative turns them into thriving habitats for marine life.
In Staithes, we’ve been working with ecologists, designers, and local partners to show that infrastructure can do more than hold back the tide—it can help nature flourish.
One of the most exciting steps so far has been the installation of rockpools and refugia tiles along the Staithes waterfront. These features mimic natural habitats, creating safe spaces for species like barnacles, limpets and small fish. Rockpools hold water during low tide, while textured tiles provide shelter and surfaces for marine organisms to settle. Early signs are promising — these enhancements are already attracting life and boosting biodiversity.
But this project isn’t just about transforming coastal structures, it’s about involving the people who live alongside them.
A community engagement element to Concrete Coast will be delivered through River Esk Connect (REConnect), a five-year initiative led by the North York Moors National Park Authority, in partnership with local communities and organisations, including YMNP, and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. REConnect aims to reconnect people with the River Esk, its coastal streams and the wider landscape.
Through REConnect, we’ll be running a series of co-created workshops where local residents, schools and volunteers can help shape the next phase of the Concrete Coast. Participants will have the chance to design and install new habitat features, learn from ecologists, and explore how climate change is affecting our coastlines. By working together, we can empower communities to take meaningful action and create a shoreline that is healthier, more resilient and richer in wildlife.
REConnect encourages people to rediscover the natural beauty of the Esk and Coastal Streams Catchment, understand the pressures it faces, and get involved in hands-on projects that make a lasting difference. By embedding Concrete Coast within REConnect, we’re ensuring that community voices, creativity and stewardship are at the heart of Staithes’ coastal future.
Together, these projects strengthen the bond between people and place—helping nature thrive while building a more connected and climate-resilient community.
Wild Spaces —–
Episode 5 ––
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The North York Moors National Park is a beautiful upland landscape where far-reaching moorland gives way to tree-topped skylines, deep wooded dales and a rugged coastline. It’s a place to marvel at the stars, to revel in the rich heritage and reconnect with nature.
The National Park lies 20 miles north of the City of York and extends to the southern fringe of the Tees Valley. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres), it’s home to 23,135 residents.
Its diverse mix of upland, lowland and coastal habitats supports a rich variety of wildlife. From moorland-nesting birds such as merlin, golden plover and curlew to woodland loving nightjar, turtle doves and goshawks. Valuable work on the River Esk, which runs to the North Sea, helps support threatened species, such as white-clawed crayfish and the freshwater pearl mussel.
Attracting more than 9 million visitors a year, the National Park’s 26 miles of spectacular heritage coastline has remarkable fishing villages to explore, wide sandy beaches to lounge on, cliff top footpaths to walk, whales and dolphins to spot, hidden bays to discover and more... In the colder months, hunker down in a cosy coastal pub to enjoy the simple pleasure of watching the waves break beneath a dark, winter’s sky. In this International Dark Sky Reserve, you can often see 2,000 stars – far more than in the nearby towns – including spectacular views of the Milky Way.
Credit: Paul Kent
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TODAY
As a public sector organisation, the North York Moors National Park Authority exists to protect, maintain and enhance one of England’s most cherished landscapes, but the funding it receives only goes so far.
The ‘Make a Difference’ platform is a joint initiative between the North York Moors National Park Authority and the North York Moors Trust that allows individuals and businesses to contribute directly to a choice of projects and have a positive impact on the National Park.
Dontate today and contribute directly to our work. Every donation, big or small, helps to provide accessible paths, connect children to nature or restore precious habitats.
Find out how you can Make a Difference.
