News

Ballast convention reduces mitten crab threat, but it’s not the end of the story

Ballast convention reduces mitten crab threat, but it’s not the end of the story

The risk to UK wildlife from invasive Chinese mitten crabs will be significantly reduced once the Government follows through on its commitment to treat ballast water from ships coming into UK waters. However, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) has jo

27 March 2017

Evidence sought to make wetlands the number one solution

Evidence sought to make wetlands the number one solution

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is asking designers and managers of man-made wetlands to complete a short survey that will help gather evidence for natural solutions to become the number one option for water management. The survey is available at

14 March 2017

Scientists invite you to the pub (or to Steart Marshes)

Scientists invite you to the pub (or to Steart Marshes)

Somerset residents are being invited to the pub by a group of scientists who have come to the region from across the UK to study Steart Marshes. The scientists’ quest is to unlock the mysteries of man-made coastal wetlands, and they want to hear from th

7 March 2017

Pochard's last refuge gets international protection

Pochard's last refuge gets international protection

The world’s rarest duck is one waddle closer to safety after its wetland home was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, by the government of Madagascar. Bemanevika is series of secluded lakes in the remotest corner of the highlands of

6 March 2017

Swan woman has tea with the Russian Ambassador

Swan woman has tea with the Russian Ambassador

WWT’s ‘swan woman’ Sacha Dench had tea with Russian Ambassador, Alexander Yakovenko, yesterday, during which they discussed the protection of endangered wetland birds and possible future collaboration with Russian organisations. The invitation to Sa

3 March 2017

Avian Influenza - updated restrictions

Avian Influenza - updated restrictions

WWT is urging everyone who owns birds to keep supporting national efforts to reduce the spread of avian influenza. The H5N8 strain of the virus has never transferred to humans. But it has caused many deaths in wild and farmed birds across the UK in recent

28 February 2017

I.D. guides issued as swans migrate across Europe

I.D. guides issued as swans migrate across Europe

Simple guides to help people identify different swans are being issued across northern Europe ahead of the migration of the rare Bewick’s swan. The guides have been designed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) after finding that few people know t

28 February 2017

Why time outdoors is good for your health

Why time outdoors is good for your health

Could your experiences of nature really make you healthier and happier? Ged Cassell finds out how Slimbridge 2020 is exploring the link between wildlife and wellbeing.

22 February 2017

WWT Slimbridge celebrates scooping gold award

WWT Slimbridge celebrates scooping gold award

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre has been awarded Gold accolade status from the Visit England, Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme. This is a huge national achievement as the accolade is not given lightly and only a small proportion of visitor attractions rece

14 February 2017

Why new build houses are  a flood risk to existing homes

Why new build houses are a flood risk to existing homes

People’s homes will be at greater risk from flooding by 2020 because new homes will overwhelm existing drains, according to the biggest ever survey of building and flooding professionals. More sustainable drainage systems is the answer.

2 February 2017

Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough celebrate support of lottery players

Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough celebrate support of lottery players

WWT’s new Patron, Prince Charles joined WWT Vice-President Sir David Attenborough and Chief Executive Martin Spray at the 2017 People’s Postcode Lottery annual Charity Gala earlier this week, where it was announced that £66.3 million was awarded to c

27 January 2017

Important Travel Advice - Visitors coming from the South

Important Travel Advice - Visitors coming from the South

Important Travel Advice – 14 – 23 February 2017 – Visitors coming from the South     The A38 at Berkeley Bridge will be closed from 14 to 23 February 2017 while the old structure is removed and replaced. As such for all visitors travelling fro

25 January 2017

Residents clean up polluted stream

Residents clean up polluted stream

A local litter eyesore blighted by drug use and rough sleeping has a new lease of life after 25 local residents turned out over the weekend to clean it up. More than 40 bags of rubbish were cleared from the area opposite the Hindu Temple on Keel Drive. Al

17 January 2017

South West Puddle Jumping Championships

South West Puddle Jumping Championships

Make a big Splash this Half Term! This February half term (11th – 19th February), children of all ages are being encouraged to grab their wellies, get outside and join in the puddle jumping championship being held at Slimbridge Wetland Centre This year

17 January 2017

Gulls, mink and nutrients implicated in pochard decline

Gulls, mink and nutrients implicated in pochard decline

Reasons for the recent decline of common pochard are investigated for the very first time in the latest issue of Wildfowl, the international scientific journal of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). The number of common pochard migrating to the UK fo

16 January 2017