5
WWT Report and Financial Statements 2012/13
Habitat management and creation
In addition there have been significant efforts to extend
and enhance our reserves through new developments
including:
•
In partnership with the Environment Agency,
significant progress with groundworks to create
over 470 ha of intertidal and freshwater habitats
on the Steart peninsula, Somerset. This project,
part of WWT’s programme of multi-benefit wetland
demonstration sites, is one of the largest wetland
creations in the UK and will have benefits for wildlife
and public recreation, flood alleviation and fish
production. Initial works are due for completion in
early 2014.
•
Although delayed due to the wet weather, further
development of the Arun Riverlife project on the
lake fronting the Arundel wetland centre building.
The project will restore a range of wetland habitats
typical of the river Arun and its floodplain, including
open water, fen and bankside features including a
kingfisher bank.
•
The creation of over a hectare of tidal lagoon on
the edge of the River Wear at the Washington
centre is now complete. The project connects the
lower section of the grounds to the tidal river and
is enhanced by new observation points and
circular footpaths.
•
Successful negotiations to secure a further 100
acres of leased land to extend the current area of
newly created wet grassland at Welney. This habitat
is critical with increasing levels of unseasonal
flooding experienced on the Ouse Washes
themselves. Funding is being sought to convert
this land.
“Steart has been simply teeming
with birds over the last weeks,
despite being surrounded by all
this hubbub. Just imagine how
it will be when the diggers are
gone and we have 500 hectares
of wetland!”
Tim McGrath, Habitat Creation and
Demonstration Site Project Manager
Photo: © WWT / Sacha Dench
