Through our partnership we’ll bring focus to the importance of water features and wetlands, and how owners of gardens – great and small – can play a significant role in protecting this important heritage and the wider environment by creating and experiencing wetlands.
Jilly McNaughton opens her garden in Essex for the National Garden Scheme in June. But, as Assistant Farm Environment Adviser at FWAG East (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group for Cambs, Herts, Essex, Beds & Northants) she works mainly on farmland pond creation and restoration for great crested newts. We caught up with her for some expert advice.
Ponds are a familiar, accessible and important part of our connection to nature, especially in towns and cities where green and blue spaces are less available.
Sadly, during the 20th Century 50% of these essential mini-wetlands were lost in the UK and we continue to lose more. Today 80% of the UK’s remaining ponds are found in gardens. Gardens just like yours…
Every wetland, no matter how small, makes a difference. So get your hands dirty and give nature a huge boost. It’s easy and doesn’t cost the earth. With time running out to bring nature back from the brink there has never been a more important time to create “blue” wildlife hotspots in your gardens, backyards and communities.
Find out more about WWT’s new strategy to 2030 ‘Wetlands are the way’, which sets out how WWT will operate and their priorities for the next seven years, including a new mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power.
Spending time around water and wetland nature can really boost our wellbeing, and with one in four people in England experiencing poor mental health each year, there’s never been a more important time to get outside to enjoy and connect with wetland nature.
Wetlands are a really useful habitat for people and wildlife. They work really hard for us but they can only do this when they are clean and well cared for. One way to do this is to be mindful of how much water we use, and what we put in the water supply.
As our climate changes, the UK can expect long dry summers and short periods of heavy rain leading to flooding. A rain garden is designed to deal with both these extremes and to benefit both wildlife and people. Find out more and follow the guidance here from WWT to create your own rain garden.
The young carers were given a tour of the centre, starting with an otter feed, and had the opportunity to ask lots of questions about the wildlife they saw. The trip, which gave a group of young carers a break from their caring roles, was generously supported by WWT.
The National Garden Scheme has launched a partnership with WWT aimed at helping to encourage garden owners and visitors to appreciate the importance of wetlands to the health and biodiversity of our gardens and the wider landscape.
We all understand the benefit of being out in nature, it just makes you feel better. Well now there’s a growing body of evidence that those more watery landscapes can make us feel even better.
We’re delighted to share this video with you from Simon Rose, Head of Experience Developments at WWT who looks at some wetland plant species – Marsh Marigold and Cuckooflower.
You don’t need a huge garden or even diggable ground to make a wetland. Making a mini wetland out of an old sink, metal tub, or a container under your drainpipe all make a difference and help increase biodiversity.
We share the WWT’s words of wisdom on the importance of peat to the environment and how the changes we make in our gardens can have vital impacts on protecting precious landscapes.
Aquatic plants can bring amazing colour to your mini-wetland or pond and give a naturalistic feel. They can provide shelter for pond wildlife like water boatmen, tadpoles and other tiny creatures and also help to keep the water oxygenated and clean.
If you’ve ever visited a WWT reserve, or even your local river or pond, you’ll know there’s something special about water. Which is why WWT is busy researching the impact our “blue” spaces have on our health and wellbeing. Discover more about the huge health and societal benefits gardens with water, wetlands and wet spaces can have.
WWT are the UK’s leading wetland conservation charity.
Almost all life depends on wetlands for water, food, or habitat. Yet a third of all wetlands have been destroyed.
They are pioneers in saving threatened wetland wildlife, a centre for excellence in conservation science, and experts in wetland management and creation.
For more information click on the logo to visit the WWT website
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