Management and funding
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). For further details about WWT, visit the 'About us' area of this website.
WWT Martin Mere is operated as a visitor attraction with about 140,000 visitors per year. Income is from admission fees, WWT membership subscriptions, secondary spend in the shop and restaurant, legacies, grants, donations, grazing rents and functions. The site operates at a profit which, as a charity, is used to maintain the Reserve, Waterfowl Gardens and Visitor Centre as well as contributing to central funds for the WWT.
Founded/opened
The first 363 acres, known as Holcroft's Farm was purchased in 1972 through local fundraising. The land had large areas of rough summer-grazed pasture that was too wet to be ploughed and part of the farm was used as a rubbish dump; The wet pasture was a refuge for hundreds of Pink-footed Geese during the winter months.
The site was opened to the public in 1975 by Sir Peter Scott.
A further 150 acres was purchased in 2003 with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Ibstock Cory Environmental Fund and money donated by WWT members. The initial work, due to be completed by November 2004, comprises a terraced system of reedbeds, wet and dry grassland, hedgerow and woodland.
Description
WWT Martin Mere is a unique blend of a reserve (reed beds, wet pasture, wet meadow, duck marsh and open water), nature trail, themed landscaped area containing over 100 species of wildfowl from around the world and flamingos and cranes, waterfowl nursery, sustainable garden and visitor centre.
The 326 acres of reserve (SSI, Ramsar and SPA site) is managed for thousands of migratory wildfowl, waders and other wetland fauna and flora. This land formed part of a very shallow, large lake that was drained over 269 years from 1692 until the building of an electric pump on the coast in 1961. All areas have a managed water supply flowing through the recreated wetland reserve, manmade system of ponds within the Waterfowl Gardens, and a reedbed filter system before going back into the local water system.
The visitor centre, part of a unique log cabin complex built to Scandinavian design, contains a large viewing area, Pink-foot Pantry, shop, Craft Gallery, Education facilities and function rooms.
Visitors can enjoy walking along the nature trail with access to 10 hides, 4 being multi-storey, overlooking the reserve. The Waterfowl Garden is laid out in loops containing wildfowl from every continent. The Pond Zone contains a variety of manmade ponds where visitors can take part in pond dipping in the summer months.
Key species/features
The reserve is an internationally important site for Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Geese, Wigeon and Pintail and nationally important for its populations of Teal, Mallard and Pochard, passage-migrant wading birds and locally rare plants such as Whorled Caraway, Golden Dock and Tubular Dropwort. More than 300 species of moth have been recorded and many species of fungi. Some areas are managed to attract dragonflies and butterflies or particular plant species or communities.
A colony of Tree Sparrows has established themselves along the nature trail encouraged by nest boxes and summer and winter feeding.
The water levels of the duck marshes are altered seasonally i.e. lowered to expose mud for waders and to encourage plant seed production and elevated in winter for migratory dabbling ducks. Islands in the duck marshes and on the main lake provide nesting sites for waders and loafing areas for wildfowl.
General
As part of the WWT family, WWT Martin Mere adheres to the WWT curriculum; learn for life policy and education guidelines. For details see the WLI ste profiles, 'National wetland centre network'.
Interpretation and exhibitry
Cultural and Natural history interpretation outlining the relationship between Martin Mere and peopleopened in Nov 2004.
General interpretation of wildlife at WWT Martin Mere can be found throughout the grounds.
Formal (school and university) learning
School programmes are informed by the WWT Curriculum and are based on the slogan of 'WISE UP to wetlands' with the themes of water, ecology, biodiversity and sustainability (WEBS). They are tailored to the English National Curriculum and differentiated by age/ability. WWT Martin Mere also provides tailored programmes for other syllabuses, tertiary students and special needs groups.
Schools can book learning sessions with centre educators. These are based outdoors as much as possible. Sessions are interactive, child-centred, conceptually and educationally robust but fun. Learning support materials are available through the this site.
Informal (general public) learning
WWT Martin Mere has events throughout the year e.g; early morning swan feeds, moth mornings, bird watch with a warden.
During school holiday events, family activities are available in the Exhibition Hall.
Discovery Trail boards in the Waterfowl Gardens displaying family quizzes complement themed events.
During June and July, the Waterfowl Nursery is open to visitors and exhibits information relating to birds bred on site.
The Friends of Martin Mere organise evening talks once a month.
Contacts
Karen Halsall, Learning Manager, Karen.halsall@wwt.org.uk