Back in 1945 Professor Alfred Steers provided the first snapshot of our coastline - when he walked all the way around it! Steers documented a fascinating range of coastal environments on his travels. From beaches, to plunging cliffs, subdued marshlands to rocky foreshores Since then similar surveys have been carried out on smaller stretches of the shore, but no one has been brave enough to repeat Steers' impressive achievement.

To mark the start of the new millennium The Geographical Association, in partnership with the National Trust and Ordnance Survey have taken up that challenge. "Coastline 2000" will repeat Professor Steers' remarkable undertaking - providing a modern survey of the entire coast of England and Wales.

As part of "Coastline 2000" schools and colleges throughout England and Wales will be flocking to the coast with students from Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education helping to repeat the survey.

Before they go, students are provided with an OS map showing their designated stretch of the coast. Once they get there, they will learn first hand how the coast is much more than just a beach. Instead they will discover how our coastline supports an impressive range of coastal environments, driven by an array of coastal processes which shape the British Isles as we know them. Students will also uncover the most pressing environmental issues surrounding the state of Britain's shores such as pollution, while discovering just how safe we are from the threats of flooding and coastal erosion.

"Coastline 2000" will also generate an impressive photographic library of the most stunning features of our shoreline, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to record the brilliance of Britain's coast for future generations to enjoy.

"Coastline 2000" will reach out to and involve thousands of young people in a project that will provide a comprehensive database of information, a valuable teaching aid and a stunning visual record of our shores.