Somerset town enjoys the benefits of wetland project one year on
Residents of a Somerset town are celebrating one year of an exciting project to bring wetlands into the urban area and help transform the local community.
From planting reeds to helping build new wetland features, the people of Bridgwater have played a major part in the Bridgwater Blue Heritage (BBH) project in its first year, and have celebrated the anniversary by taking part in various wetland activities. This included a water vole presentation (shown above) by volunteer Nigel Cox, just one of the species the team hope to draw back to the Meads, ditch dipping, bird and butterfly watching and installing AudioMoths.
Increasing evidence shows the positive role urban wetlands can play for both biodiversity and human health, as well as to help prevent flooding and fight climate change. But for many people, getting out to wetlands can be a struggle – so the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), in partnership with the EA and Sedgmoor District Council and thanks to funding from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, decided to bring the wetlands to them.
The project, which kicked off in August 2021, has so far included the beginnings of the transformation of the Meads area of Bridgwater into a wetland haven where local residents can walk, birdwatch, look out for wetland wildlife, and enjoy nature right on their doorstep. This involved us working with local people to start the process of restoring 20ha of floodplain grazing marsh, drained in the past to be used for agriculture. Many more urban projects will be delivered in the next 3 years in collaboration with our partners and the local community.
Families, schoolchildren and residents of the town have been key to the project’s success so far, which has included volunteering and regular working parties. Other recent events have included a day of urban wetland activities in the unique setting of the Brick and Tile Museum. This helped families to connect with their town’s maritime heritage whilst learning about SuDS and natural flood management techniques through art and games.
Another important part of the project is to develop a health and wellbeing strategy, building on the popular Meads and Marshes wellbeing courses and activities such as health walks and community willow weaving. This complements work by the WWT on “blue prescribing” courses at nearby WWT Steart Marshes.
Bridgwater Blue Heritage project manager Joe May, who works for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said: “It’s been incredibly exciting to watch not just the start of the transformation of the Meads into a beautiful wetland habitat, but also to see the enthusiasm and involvement of the community as they work alongside experts to turn this piece of land into somewhere even more special.
“At WWT we know how important wetlands are for biodiversity, to help fight climate change and flooding, and increasingly for our mental health so this project is incredibly important for Bridgwater. It’s also really vital that local people are invested in their local area – and helping make this project a reality will play a huge role in this.
“Going forward we have lots more planned for this project and we really want as many local residents of Bridgwater to be involved as possible – so it was great to see so many people at our one year celebration!”
Volunteer and Bridgwater resident Steve Webber said: “Being involved at The Meads as a volunteer has given me a real sense of pride and wellbeing.
“In general, the news about biodiversity loss and climate change reported daily is very depressing but the good news is the Meads is bucking that trend in providing an area that benefits local wildlife, mitigates against flooding by slowing down water, as well as creating a place for people to connect with nature.
“Personally it has helped me to reconnect with nature - to see the changes happen in real time and to be involved, that's priceless.'
