The people of Plymouth are being offered the chance to reconnect with the ocean through a series of local initiatives each devised to ‘turn the tide on an increasingly endemic human-nature discord’ while celebrating the local area’s long-standing heritage with marine culture.

All made possible thanks to a new £1.6m cash injection, courtesy of Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage, the ‘Sea for Yourself’ campaign will be spearheaded by Plymouth Culture working in Partnership with the UK’s first (and currently only) marine park, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

‘Sea for Yourself’ is the latest in a recent run of initiatives curated to deepen the public’s connection with the environment as well as the city’s own unique marine heritage.

In recent weeks, the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park unveiled its Little Rays of Hope initiative to bring local communities closer to the area’s populations of skates and rays. Part of major new investment in local marine life, it’s the first in a series (and part of a five-year Nature Programme) which aims to foster behaviour change by cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine life.

The Nature Programme is part of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park’s wider Horizons project aiming to deliver of the programme of interactive and shared immersive experiences showcasing Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. Each year-long commission will focus on a theme – making visible the invisible, archive and heritage, immersive environments and outdoor installations – and feature an embedded community engagement programme, ensuring local residents are actively involved in shaping the projects.

The aim is to bring together the city’s cultural and natural assets to inspire meaningful change and create opportunities for interaction with the city’s marine environment. It will also benefit the creative and cultural sector in Plymouth, with opportunities for artists to develop the skills and expertise in creating art that connects with nature.

Hannah Harris, CEO of Plymouth Culture, said the initiative represents a step change for Plymouth: “It’s a bold collaboration that combines our incredible cultural assets with the natural beauty of the National Marine Park.

“By reconnecting residents with the ocean, we are creating a unique and symbiotic relationship between people and their environment while also laying the foundation for a cultural legacy that will benefit future generations – artists and residents alike.”