18 February 2010
On Monday 1 March, WWT Martin Mere has been officially opened to the public for 35 years and we would like our visitors and members to come along and share in the celebrations.
We will be burying a new time capsule on the day featuring Martin Mere, the present as well as ideas as to what the centre will be like in 50 years; and we are asking our visitors to bring in, or create whilst they are visiting, photographs, drawings, poems etc. that can be included in the capsule that will be opened in 2060. The otter family will also get their very own birthday cake to allow for good photograph opportunities.
Over the last 35 years, Martin Mere has welcomed over 5.5m visitors as well as over 300,000 school educational visits. Over the years there has been a huge amount of wildlife changes with a massive increase in the number of Whooper swans, Pink-footed geese, insects and summer migrants, and the decline of Bewick swans.
The centre itself has changed massively with the purchase of new land, a new play area, the introduction of mammal exhibits with beavers and otters, and new activities such as den building and pond dipping.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm. 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/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.