Poole Harbour is a RAMSAR wetland, the heath around it is rarer than rainforest, and a great many people visit. The arithmetic only works if visitors are careful.
On the beach
Take everything home, including fishing line and anything plastic. What is left on the sand ends up in a harbour that feeds tens of thousands of birds.
On the heath
Never light a fire or use a disposable barbecue. Heath burns hard and fast, and what is lost takes decades to return. Keep to paths, particularly between spring and late summer when birds are nesting on the ground.
Around the water
Birds roosting on the mudflats at high tide have nowhere else to go. Give them room, and keep paddleboards and kayaks clear of roosts. Do not anchor on seagrass.
With a dog
Follow the seasonal signs: they change through the year for a reason. See dog-friendly stays.
See Respect, Protect, Enjoy and sustainable Poole.