Poole Harbour is internationally protected and heavily visited at the same time, which is a tension the town lives with rather than solves.
What is protected, and why
The harbour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a RAMSAR wetland. Its mudflats feed tens of thousands of birds through winter; its surrounding heath is one of the rarest habitats in Europe and home to species that live almost nowhere else in Britain. Brownsea Island holds red squirrels that have been lost from most of England.
Getting here and around
Poole is unusually easy to visit car-free: a mainline station, buses to the beaches, boats to the island and a chain ferry to the Purbecks. See getting around and days out without the car.
On the ground
Keep to paths on the heath, particularly in the nesting season from spring to late summer. Follow the dog restrictions, which change through the year for good reason. Take litter home, and never light fires on heathland, where a single one can destroy decades of habitat.
Spending locally
Dorset produces a great deal of what Poole eats. Buying from markets, delis and independent kitchens keeps money in the area.
See also Respect, Protect, Enjoy and Leave Only Footprints.