Andrew has spoken out in Parliament to highlight the success of an innovative coastal conservation project in Fylde during Questions in the House of Commons
The initiative, led by the Wildlife Trust, has seen thousands of volunteers repurpose Christmas trees to restore and extend the areas sand dunes.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Andrew described the striking sight of volunteers burying discarded Christmas trees in the sand—an effort that is not a quirky Lancashire tradition but a crucial environmental project. Over the years, more than 11,000 Christmas trees have been strategically placed to help rebuild the dunes, which play a key role in both flood defences and local biodiversity.
“80% of Fylde’s sand dunes have been lost over the past 150 years,” said Andrew, “But thanks to this project, six hectares of dunes have been completely replenished, creating a stronger natural barrier against coastal erosion and improving habitats for wildlife.”
The initiative has already logged over 10,500 volunteer hours, demonstrating strong community support and commitment to environmental restoration. Mr. Snowden extended an invitation to the Leader of the House to visit St. Anne’s Beach, meet the volunteers, and witness the transformative impact of the project firsthand. The Leader of the House, Lucy Powell MP, warmly responded, sharing her fond memories of Fylde’s sand dunes and expressing interest in a visit once the weather improves.
Andrew added, ‘This recognition in Parliament underscores the importance of this project and it’s a small way to say thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and the teams from Lancashire Wildlife Trust & Fylde Council for their work on this important local project.’
