Wetland wildlife gets boost from players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Wetland wildlife is to benefit from new developments at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Martin Mere Wetland Centre thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Players of the charity lottery have awarded £175,000 to WWT, which was presented to WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray CBE on 13 January.
The money will help the charity improve wetland homes for wildlife on its wild reserves and within its wildfowl collections from around the world, and get more people up close and learning about nature during 2015.
WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray CBE said:
“WWT’s ethos starts with the simple act of feeding a duck. That connection with nature is more special if you’re feeding the world’s rarest goose, saved from extinction by our experts. It’s even more special when you’re surrounded by some of the UK’s top wildlife at one of our world class Wetland Centres, carefully designed and managed so wildlife will flourish.
“Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will ensure that WWT goes from strength to strength this year, by making our Wetland Centres even better for wildlife, and helping even more people make that special connection with nature.”
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said:
“I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support that great work carried out by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Support from players will ensure the improvement in reserves and ensure that even more people learn about wetland wildlife. This funding marks a great start to 2015 for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.”
The new developments made possible by the support from players include:
- A new swan link hide development at WWT Martin Mere ensuring thousands of Whooper swans can be viewed over autumn and winter in comfort
- School children will spend more time learning outdoors thanks to a new school mentoring scheme to be launched this autumn by WWT. WWT’s learning experts will work with one school in each region to develop the best standards of outdoor learning so that more of the curriculum can be delivered in the natural environment. The school will then become a resource for other schools within the area.
Thanks to the flexible nature of the players’ financial support, all of WWT’s nine Wetland Centres and its new Steart Marshes reserve in Somerset will benefit during the year.
Martin Spray continued:
“We’re incredibly grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for this opportunity and we hope to welcome many of them to our Wetland Centres throughout 2015.”
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am to 4.30pm during winter months and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight WWT Wetland Centres.
