Help us document a year on the Great Ouse Wetland
Call to the public to film, present, comment on and get involved with Great Ouse Wetland's amazing animal life
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust via its wetland centre in Welney, Norfolk is launching a comprehensive project to visually capture and document a year in the life of this spectacular region. WWT is calling for volunteers across the region to help film and carry out other roles such as presenting and editing, to help record the highs and lows - from the spectacular or funny to the secretive or ugly, on video with a camcorder, digital camera, mobile phone or tablet. For the latest updates, visit www.wwt.org.uk/gow
WWT is also offering free film training for all volunteers. You might get the job of filming a rare snail mating underwater, the bizarre courtship rituals of the ducks, or the gruesome hunting techniques of a baby dragonfly...They have created this short video which explains the project:
This is part of a broad regional exercise funded with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership involving a number of other organisations, with the aim of and engaging the public and drawing attention to the beauty, economic and environmental importance of the region as a whole.
The government-backed UK National Ecosystems Assessment indicates that wetlands’ contribution to the UK economy exceeds £7 billion. The Great Ouse Wetland covers over 3,000 hectares - forming the largest wetland in the UK. WWT Welney’s contribution to the local economy is significant – drawing an average of over 30,000 visitors a year to the region.
Leigh Marshall, WWT Welney Wetland Centre Manager said
“The Great Ouse Wetland is an integral part of ancient migration routes and for centuries has reflected mans interaction with nature.”
The wetland habitat is an oasis for wildlife in the middle of the most productive farmland in the country. It is our mission with this “wildlife news” project to ensure that our local nature and habitat remains a vibrant part of the fabric of this community.”
So we want everybody to get involved. From the local policeman who manages to capture the swan with her cygnets wandering down the middle of the High Street to the local schoolchildren who manage to capture shots of an ugly bug!”
This call is going out to all walks of society – from schools and colleges to public services and photographers and filmmakers alike. All the footage will be gathered and used in short films and as clips to connect wider audiences with the beautiful and amazing wildlife that the region has to offer.
WWT anticipate a number of media outlets, tourist organisations and other organisations to become deeply involved with this project.
Simeon Grundy, a wildlife filming volunteer at Welney said
"It's an excellent opportunity to get experienced with a camera, up close and personal to wildlife through behind the scenes access, whilst working as part of a vibrant team in an internationally-renowned organisation.”
Simon Smith, a wildlife filming volunteer at Welney said
“Volunteering as a Wildlife Camera Operator for WWT Welney is one of the best opportunities I have ever had the privilege to take part in. My first day was an incredible experience. I spotted a Rough Legged Buzzard, something I will be on the look out for with my camera next time - and captured a good shot of around 30 Swans flying past my lens. I’d recommend the experience to everybody! The staff at Welney are so welcoming and friendly, and there is a really wide range of fascinating wildlife subjects to record. I'm looking forward to my next week, where we will be given an induction and begin our work on the Year in the Life of Welney and the Great Ouse Wetland."
WWT Welney will be offering free training for people of all abilities via a series of workshops to be held throughout the course of 2015. Volunteers will get the opportunity to venture behind the scenes at the wetland centre and discover what it takes to be a wildlife camera operator. The workshops will teach the basics and look at some of the techniques that can be used to get great wildlife shots. Ultimately helping volunteers to get started on contributing to this inspiring project.
The first two training sessions will be held on Sunday 25th January - 10.30 am and Wednesday 28th January - 11:00 am
Contact details for volunteers are as follows:
Email: adam.finch@wwt.org.uk
Tel: 01353 860711
Web: wwt.org.uk/gow
