Sefton Coast is a 4605.3 hectare (11379.9 acre) Site of special scientific interest which stretches for 12 miles (20 km) between Southport and Waterloo, which is end location of Crosby Beach. The site was notified in 2000 for both its biological and geological features. The coast has species such as grass of Parnassus, wild prchids, rare butterflies, sand lizards, natterjack toads and waders.