International Star recognition for WWT Welney Wetland centre
WWT Welney Wetland centre has been recognised as one of the world’s best wetland visitor centres, a credit to the teams of staff and volunteers who have looked after these wetlands and shared it with the visitors over the years.
WT Welney Wetland centre has been recognised as one of the world’s best wetland visitor centres. Their success was announced at the Conference of the global Wetlands Convention, known as Rasmar COP14, underway in Geneva, Switzerland, this week.
The Star Wetland Centre Award is a new initiative to recognise best practice in eco-tourism and education at wetlands. It is coordinated by Wetland Link International (WLI), a support network for staff and volunteers at 300 wetland visitor centres.
WWT Welney Wetland centre is one of 23 awardees who have been selected by an international panel of experienced wetlands professionals.
“We are delighted to have been recognised as a Star Wetland Centre at WWT Welney”, says Leigh Marshall, Centre Manager. “We witness how vital protected wetlands are for the thousands of wild Bewick’s and whooper swans who arrive in spectacular flocks each winter through to the rare black-tailed godwits that breed on a handful of sites in the Fens each spring. Our wetlands provide vital homes, food and water for an abundance of wildlife, including insects and plant life. It is a pleasure for our team of staff and volunteers to share it all with visitors to Welney”.
“The judges were particularly struck by the high quality conservation actions, especially for waterbirds” says Chris Rostron, the Head of WLI and leader of the Star awards process.
The Stars have been awarded to twenty-three wetland visitor centres around the world, at a ceremony at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, Ramsar COP14.
“Ely, East Cambridgeshire and The East of England have many wonderful things to capture the imagination of the local residents and the visitors. The Welney Wetland Centre is one of the finest. This news and accolade are truly and richly deserved” says Anna Bennett, Tourism and Town Centre Manager for Ely.
