10 years of WWT Steart Marshes: how local communities are engaging with one of the UK’s largest new saltmarshes
From grazing cattle to local artistry, explore how WWT Steart Marshes – a vast saltmarsh on the Somerset coast – has transformed local connections to the land.
WWT Steart Marshes was established on the Somerset coast in 2014, transforming a stretch of farmland at risk of flooding into one of the UK’s largest new wetland reserves.
Today, it’s not only a natural buffer against rising sea levels but a landscape bursting with wildlife, supporting productive agriculture and encouraging connections to nature. So, how has this ambitious project reshaped life for the people who live and work in the area?
What is WWT Steart Marshes?
WWT Steart Marshes is a spectacular working wetland created by WWT in partnership with the Environment Agency. Located on the Somerset coast, an area known for having some of the biggest tidal forces in the world, the marshes act as a natural flood defence, absorbing these tidal surges to protect local homes and businesses from flooding.
Benefits of WWT Steart Marshes
WWT Steart Marshes was primarily designed as a natural flood defence – but that’s not the only benefit. Saltmarshes capture carbon in sediment, making them a valuable tool in tackling climate change. They also attract a vast array of wildlife, sustain local farming traditions and encourage meaningful connections with the land.
Sustainable farming and innovation
WWT Steart Marshes was created in close collaboration with the local community – who even came up with the name. This includes Andy Darch, a local farmer and co-founder of Blue Carbon Farming, who joined forces with WWT to graze cattle on the saltmarsh.
Andy uses innovative ‘No Fence’ collars – GPS devices that play Waltzing Matilda when they get too close to a virtual fence, guiding them away from potentially dangerous areas like muddy ditches and rising tides. The scheme benefits the cattle and saltmarsh as grazing promotes root growth, which draws carbon into the ground. “Saltmarsh restoration can work for farmers,” Andy says, referring to his brilliant beef business and the benefits of grazing for conservation.
Outside of work, WWT Steart Marshes is a special place for Andy and his family.
“One of my favourite things about the marshes has nothing to do with farming – it’s being able to cycle the boys through the marshes on their way to school, surrounded by the birds, plants and insects. It’s a lovely place to be.”
“That’s what keeps me happy as an artist”
Artist Alison Jacobs has spent hours capturing the evolving landscapes of WWT Steart Marshes through the seasons.
“I’d paint all its views and vistas. If a bird flew past, I’d try to get that down as well. Then I like to learn about the subject and make notes about it all – that’s what keeps me happy as an artist.”
Reflecting on the transformation, she says,
“The landscape used to be a quirky area with fields, ponds and hedgerows. But it’s been completely transformed – now it’s very rich with texture from different plants and lagoons. Seeing how successful this has been with the amount of wildlife here is beyond my wildest dreams.”
What Alison loves most about saltmarsh is what you don’t see.
“I’ve learnt so much about how beneficial it is for the environment. People often expect saltmarshes to resemble magnificent blue lagoons, so they can find the muddy look difficult to appreciate. But the more they learn about its benefits, the more they will love it.”
A landscape for everyone
Andy and Alison’s stories illustrate how these wondrous landscapes offer more than meets the eye. Saltmarshes like WWT Steart Marshes not only address the UK’s most pressing climate and nature crises but also enable communities to build long-lasting relationships with the land.
